Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Enhancing Public Library Services: A Future Outlook On Digital Libraries In Pakistan, Muhammad Sohail Haider, Chen Ya Prof, Md. Nurul Islam, Muhammad Danyal, Muhammad Hussain

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Objective: Governments consistently aim to enhance services and establish online connections to efficiently deliver necessary information. This study aims to evaluate the future potential of digital libraries in public libraries in Pakistan by examining various projects that have introduced innovative approaches to foster the development of digital library services.

Methodology: The analysis utilized the Amos 24 version, employing the Structural Equation Model (SEM) for assessing model fit indices and validating hypotheses. Additionally, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was employed for Pearson correlation and factor analysis.

Findings: The results suggest the appropriateness of discussing three out of the …

Digital Transformation: Revitalizing Public Libraries As Inclusive Hubs For National Development, Bukunmi Paul Bello, Itunu Mary Adepegba

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Public libraries play a vital role in providing equitable access to information, resources, and digital skills development to advance socioeconomic goals. However, declining usage and widening digital divides pose adaptability challenges. This paper examines strategies for public libraries to leverage technologies and transform services to remain relevant, inclusive hubs supporting national development priorities. It analyzes the impacts of existing services like public computing and e-books while exploring barriers around funding constraints, infrastructure limitations, staffing shortages, and digital literacy gaps. These inhibit technology adoption, particularly across underserved rural communities.

Recommendations center on policies and partnerships to improve access, combined with investments …

Marketing Strategies And User Appreciation Of The Services Provided By Public Libraries, Ronald Odung, Bonniface Agungi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study established the relationship between marketing strategies and user appreciation of the services provided by Public Libraries. The findings revealed that there was a significant relationship between marketing strategies and user appreciation of the Public Library services. The use of social media, general reference service and the use of Library Website are marketing strategies that can be adopted by Public Library. Provision of conducive Library space, benchmarking, analyzing user’s behavior, Quantitative evaluation, effective use of catalog and the size of the collection were ways that Public Library staff apply to assess the level of user appreciation. the finding recommend …

User Opinion About Sps Public Library: A Study Of Google Map Reviews, Taseef Ayub, Shabir Ahmad Ganaie

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Nowadays, individuals tend to seek information about various entities through online platforms where other people share their experiences. Google Maps is one such platform that enables users to rate and review anything, including public libraries. This study aims to investigate the manner in which users of the SPS library utilize Google Maps to express their opinions about the library's services and amenities. This study utilized Google Maps as a source of data, with a data extractor being used to extract reviews. The extracted reviews were then subjected to content analysis to categorize them into different categories. Following this, a sentiment …

Perception Of Public Libraries As Substantive Knowledge Organizations, Sidharta Chatterjee, Mousumi Samanta, Sujoy Dey Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In this paper, we examine how public libraries promote development of good reading habits among the users who come to access for information. It explores how far–in this digital age, public and academic libraries are able to meet the information needs of society. By developing a theoretical model of access to and usage of information based on axioms that set forth the role of public libraries in the services of society, we attempt to examine and analyze how PLs promote adult literacy drive that have positive contribution to society. Community public library systems are thus examined and their role model …

The Changing Perceptions Of Public Libraries, Aleisha A. Stout

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In 2018, OCLC and the American Library Association revisited a 2008 survey on the perception of public libraries. Questions looked at how participants believed libraries are funded, used, and perceived. Public libraries are valued by the public, even as perceptions move away from core aspects of library services. In-person library visits and visits to library websites have declined in recent years. Strong libraries are perceived to raise property values within a community. Libraries increasingly manage social problems, such as homelessness and substance abuse. Some libraries have social workers on staff to meet patrons at the point of need. Public libraries …

Public Libraries And Knowledge Commons In A Municipality In The Free State, South Africa, Williams E. Nwagwu Prof., Margaret M. Matobako Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of the study is to examine the emergence of Commons in the public libraries in the Free State in South Africa using the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework. The study examined the roles of the libraries and communities, the linkage of the new library with open access to knowledge, level of awareness of both users, and the community and administrators. Also, the study examined the role of library users and their communities in the maintenance of the new library. The study adopted a qualitative research design to study 16 community leaders and 17 library staff using an interview …

Staff Development Programmes And Service Delivery In Public Libraries In Nigeria., Ifeoma Nwaigbo, Basil Onyeoziri Edom Ph.D

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between staff development programmes and service delivery in Imo State Public Library, Owerri. The study was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses. A census study technique was adopted to cover the entire population of 42 library staff. A correlation research design was adopted for study, while rating scale was used as data collection instrument. The data collected were analyzed using Pearson (r) statistics to answer the research questions. The hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics of simple linear correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there is a positive …

Doing More With A Dm: A Survey On Library Social Media Engagement, Jason Wardell, Katy Kelly

Roesch Library Faculty Publications

Objectives – This study sought to determine the role social media plays in shaping library services and spaces, and how queries are received, responded to, and tracked differently by different types of libraries.

Methods – In April and May of 2021, researchers conducted a nine-question survey (Appendix A) targeted to social media managers across various types of libraries in the United States, soliciting a mix of quantitative and qualitative results on prevalence of social media interactions, perceived changes to services and spaces as a result of those interactions, and how social media messaging fits within the library’s question reporting or …

Assessment Of Collection Development Practices For User Satisfaction In Public Libraries In Enugu State, Abaobi David Agbo Dr, Nkechi Idoko Dr, Elizabeth Titilope Babarinde Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The main purpose of this study was to examine the collection development practices for user satisfaction in public libraries in Enugu State. The study adopted descriptive research design as suitable for the study with180 sampled size comprising 120 users and 60 professional and non- professional staff. Questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. Consequently, several collection development practices determine the extent user satisfaction is achieved in public libraries in Enugu State. These include community analysis, collection development policy, acquisition, selection, weeding, censorship and evaluation. Other factors that affect user satisfaction which is peculiar to users include user effort, user …

Senior Citizens And Digital Information Access: The Obstruction Of Comforting Silence, Rodney C. Lawley

The Southeastern Librarian

This study investigates the possibility of undetected access obstructions preventing senior citizens from using digital information maintained by Alabama public libraries. Research methods include a literature review, a survey of Alabama public library administrators, and a textual analysis of online public library programming guides from four urban areas within the state. The survey gauges the perceptions, experiences, and actions of library administrators pertaining to digital library accessibility for senior citizens. The textual analysis component measures significant outreach efforts by public libraries targeting senior citizen patrons. Data collected suggest that Alabama public libraries lack unity and direction in their approach to …

Book Review: Kathleen Campana And J. Elizabeth Mills' Create, Innovate, And Serve: A Radical Approach To Children's And Youth Programming, Mateo Campos-Seligman

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Reading Habits And Use Of Public Library Resources By Rural Women Of Sivasagar District: A Survey, Parishmita Hazarika

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The public library is a local information hub that makes all types of knowledge and information freely available to its users. Its doors are open to all members of the community for full and unrestricted access to its resources and services, regardless of caste, sex, or religion. Public libraries today play an important role in the life of the community. The purpose of this study is to evaluate rural women's reading habits and use of public library resources and services. The study focused on, the purpose of library visits, the frequency of library visits by public library users, the amount …

The Value Of Local Authors: A Survey Of The Mission Statements And Submission Guidelines Of Local Author Collections, Rachel Mcmullen

SLIS Connecting

This research examines the mission statements and submission guidelines of local author collections in public libraries to determine in what ways these collections emphasize the communities they represent, the extent to which all members of the community are represented by the collection, and how these collections are accessed by the community.

An Analysis Of Library Closures And Covid-19: Are U.S. Libraries Closing Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic?, Garrett W. Jennings, Msls

SLIS Connecting

As of March 20, 2020, there have been 15,219 reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States of America (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020b; Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], 2020). There are 16,568 public library buildings in the United States (American Library Association, 2019). Since they are community centers and publicly owned institutions, libraries are charged with ensuring that their patrons are taken care of and that they are serving their communities to the best of their ability.

The purpose of this study is to examine the rate of COVID-19 infections reported to the CDC in the …

Emotional Labor, Stressors, And Librarians Who Work With The Public, Kelsey Simon

School of Information Student Research Journal

Service jobs require regular interaction with customers and have certain expectations of specific emotions that should be shown during transactions. This use of expected emotional displays during service transactions is called emotional labor and it is an important part of service work, but there are significant consequences for regular use. This paper reviews the literature on emotional labor, and the consequences of the repeated use of emotional labor within the service workforce. It also reviews the literature on stressors reported by librarians and job-related stress. Relationships can be seen between emotional labor, the work of librarian professionals, and stressors in …

Understanding Diversity And Intellectual Freedom As #Corevalues, Deborah Hicks

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Webometrics And Mississippi Public Libraries: A Webometrics Study Of Public Libraries In Mississippi, Charlie Simpkins

SLIS Connecting

With the introduction of the Internet, library websites have become new access points for a global community. A library’s website serves as a new branch for its users, one that can be accessed 24/7 globally. But with that continuous access to such a large audience, a library’s website should include certain key information to be truly beneficial to the user. This website content analysis examines the websites of public library systems in Mississippi for the presence of four elements from Kumar and Bansal (2014) essential menus for a library’s homepage and for the presence of eight elements from Chow, Bridges, …

Availability Of Public Library And Community Support For Patrons With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Survey Of Coastal Mississippi Libraries, Tammy L. White

SLIS Connecting

While a growing number of libraries are beginning to provide programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), there is still a need for more, and there is a need for staff to become more aware of the types of behavior that are associated with ASD so as provide a better understanding of how to create programs.The purpose of this research is to evaluate the availability of ASD programs and community support among public libraries in Mississippi’s coastal region.

Book Review: Palaces For The People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, And The Decline Of Civic Life, Eric Klinenberg, Georgia Westbrook

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The More You Know, The More You Owe, Megan Price

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Roots Of Community: A Local Librarian's Resource For Discovering, Documenting And Sharing The History Of Library Services To African Americans In Their Communities, Matthew R. Griffis

Publications and Other Resources

Intended for current library professionals, this toolkit provides a theoretical basis for completing public history projects about libraries and explores specific project types, selected best practices and related resources. It divides into three major sections: Part 1, “Planning,” Part 2 “Gathering” and Part 3, “Sharing.” Respectively, these sections cover the preparation, collection and communication tasks of research projects and, where appropriate, offer readers several types of potentially useful resources. Many of these resources—forms, letters, standards, examples of evidence—were used for the author’s Roots of Community project and appear as examples of resources deemed suitable for that project. In other instances, …

Public Libraries And The Economically Disadvantaged: A Bibliometric Assessment Of Published Research, 1996-2016, Scott A. Manganello

SLIS Connecting

One of the greatest challenges that American public libraries have faced is serving the disadvantaged and homeless population. This research project analyzed publication trends in LIS literature from the past 20 years pertaining to research related to public libraries and the economically disadvantaged, specifically publication trend over time, core journals, most prolific lead authors, and focus of the studies.

Core Values: Intellectual Freedom And Privacy In Public Libraries, Stephanie A. Evans

SLIS Connecting

With the passing of the USA Patriot Act in 2001 following the events of 9/11, libraries on the national scale have had to staunchly defend issues of privacy and confidentially more-so than ever before. Evidence of this lies not only in statements within the ALA’s Resolution on the USA PATRIOT Act and Libraries but also in other core documents which guide policy development in public libraries (ALA 2005). Intellectual Freedom and privacy are two of the major issues addressed and protected by the American Library Association through the Office of Intellectual Freedom and the Library Bill of Rights (ALA 1996).