Library and Information Science Commons^™

Programs And Strategies For Community Resilience In A Metropolitan Area Public Library: A Case Study, Andreas Vårheim

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This paper reports a case study on community-oriented public library programs in a metropolitan Texan city. A main purpose of the paper is to report the findings from this explorative case study on the relationship of a public library system with its communities from a community resilience perspective. The study is a part of a research project aiming at creating empirically-based knowledge on the role of public libraries in forming community resilience. The description of specific library programs is a basis for further study of the mechanisms contributing to community resilience. Community resilience enables communities to face major environmental change …

Review Of Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Library’S Future In An Uncertain World, Ben Goldman

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Library’s Future in an Uncertain World explores strategies for how public libraries can become more sustainable organizations in a time of social and environmental disruptions. Sustainability, viewed through the lens of triple bottom line accounting, can be accomplished by understanding and prioritizing the needs of the communities that libraries serve. While not written with archives in mind, the book offers important insights for archivists, who collectively must do more to prepare for climate-driven disruptions to their work.

Public Libraries Supporting Health And Wellness: A Literature Review, Heather Elia

School of Information Student Research Journal

The purpose of this literature review is to examine the ways in which public libraries are supporting the health and wellness needs of their communities. Although public libraries are not commonly thought of in association with healthcare, research shows that many libraries are partnering with other community organizations and healthcare professionals to provide programs and services intended to address the health and wellness needs of their patrons. Using scholarly journals, as well as trade and news publications, the author investigated numerous methods of health-themed service provision, including: consumer health information, embedded professionals, visiting health services, mental health support, wellness-based programming, …

Understanding Diversity And Intellectual Freedom As #Corevalues, Deborah Hicks

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Whole User? The Construction Of Worthy And Problematic Users In Online Discussions Of The Public Library, Pam Mckenzie

FIMS Publications

In this article I use a discursive approach and the concept of the ‘category entitlement’ to analyse the ways that contributors to a public Internet discussion of the value of the public library make cases for different user characteristics and behaviour as ‘worthy’ or ‘problematic’, and use these characteristics to discuss and debate the kinds of individuals and the kinds of behaviour that properly belong to each category. Contributors to the discussion represented users in three categories: a fluid ‘everyone’, which included people represented as being disadvantaged and in legitimate need of the library’s resources, expertise, and support; the user …

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, …

Seeking An Intentional Crossroads: Working Towards An Understanding Of Community Building In Hawai’I Public Libraries, Vanessa Irvin, Nicholas Cho, Sarah Nakashima

Collaborative Librarianship

Public libraries in Hawai’i serve one of the most diverse populations in the United States. With 51 branch locations across six islands, Hawaii's public libraries are central hubs for citizens, where community building can take place. This paper seeks to explore ways in which community building takes place at public libraries in Hawai’i. Through on-site visits at public libraries, observations of training sessions of participants of a Hawai’i-based public library professional development program (Hui ‘Ekolu), and informal interviews with local public library patrons, key themes, reflections and analysis convey a common question across all groups: “What is a Native Hawaiian …

Impact Of Public Libraries With Reference To Public Library At Tenkasi, Dr.P.Balasubramanian Subramanian Bala Subramanian, K Poolpandian

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study deals with impact of public library at Tenkasi. It will have a strategic role in knowledge-intensive industries like digital media. They will also be mainstays of community-based cultural planning and development. The amount of information available will grow, and much of it will be of questionable value and accuracy. Public libraries will play an increasingly significant role in the literacies of the twenty-first century that enable people to select, assess and use the information that will best meet their needs public libraries are increasingly seeing themselves as playing an important role in community development.

Innovative Collaborations: Social Work Student Interns At Public Libraries, Sarah C. Johnson

Publications and Research

While the collaborative trend among professional social workers and librarians is garnering much-deserved attention, literature about social work students partnering with public libraries is virtually non-existent. In fact, there are at least 73 partnerships yet a scarcity of academic literature addresses social work interns within public libraries. While there are students at Canadian libraries, this research focuses on the bulk of known partnerships based in the United States. Emerging from a mix of interviews and public resources, the author’s inquiry fosters this call to action: Social work educators must initiate interagency collaboration with libraries in order for students to expand …

Health Sciences Libraries: Supporting Public Libraries Supporting All Of Us, Leah Cordova, Alexandria Quesenberry, Hilary Jasmin

Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association Annual Conference

Title: Health Sciences Libraries: Supporting Public Libraries Supporting All of Us

Objective: Public libraries are known for being community-centered institutions providing equitable access to information and resources, playing an important role in improving individuals' access to health-related information. This project aimed to examine the perceived role and current practices of inner-city public librarians in delivering health-related information to members of their community.

Methods: An online survey was created using Qualtrics and distributed to branch libraries within a single library system serving diverse socioeconomic and demographic groups. The survey consisted of eighteen multiple choice and open-ended questions. Information was collected around …

Public Libraries And Access To Information In Plateau State, Nigeria, Olufunmilayo I. Fati, Idris Yelwa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

For successful post-2015 development agenda, rural communities and individuals need to be given access to, made to understand and encouraged to use and share accurate and relevant information to solve problems and make better decisions, thereby promoting sustainable development. In the recent times, there have been various campaigns and advocacy for access to information especially for rural dwellers and hitherto, a lot of rural inhabitants are not being reached. The study reviews the responsibilities of libraries in ensuring that rural inhabitants have access to relevant information. It also reveals the status quo at the Plateau State Library Board (PLSLB) as …

A Survey On The Social Status Of The Library And Information Science Profession (Case Study: Librarians Of Public Libraries Of Guilan Province, Iran), Ali Akbar Khasseh, Mona Azimi, Hamid Ghazizadeh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The purpose of this research is to investigate the social status of Library and Information Science from the point of view of librarians of public libraries in Guilan province, Iran. This research is an applied research and has been conducted through a survey method. The statistical population of the study consisted of 199 librarians working in public libraries of Guilan province, Iran. Using Morgan's table, 127 subjects were selected as sample size and 124 of them responded to the questionnaire. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire, professors' and library managers' opinions were used and for reliability purposes, …

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.

Libraries As Sustainability Leaders: Ala’S Special Task Force, René Tanner, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Monika Antonelli, Adrian K. Ho

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

This article discusses the work of the American Library Association (ALA) Special Task Force on Sustainability, which identified 52 recommendations, including the adoption of sustainability as a core value of librarianship. The group aims to promote libraries as catalysts, connectors, and conveners to promote sustainability, resilience, and regeneration. The Task Force is guided by the concept of the triple bottom line, which states that an organization’s practices must be not only economically feasible but also socially equitable and environmentally sound. The article also provides examples of how libraries engage in sustainable practices to support the cities and towns they serve.

Users’ Perception Of The Quality Of Public Library Services In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana: An Application Of The Libqual+ Model., Frederic Naazi-Ale Baada, Patrick Baayel, Stephen Bekoe, Sadat Banbil

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study seeks to assess user perception of the quality of public library services in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana using the LibQUAL+ model. Based on a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 180 patrons of public libraries in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana using convenience sampling technique. Data was analyzed using interpretative techniques. The results showed that patrons were dissatisfied with the quality and depth of equipment and facilities (conducive environment for learning, internet connectivity and computers) and current library materials (print and electronic). A major concern was the absence of internet connectivity and digital collections. Among other …

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 Studies - Post-doc and Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

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.

Talking The Talk: Public Library Oral History Projects On The Web, Georgia Westbrook

School of Information Studies - Post-doc and Student Scholarship

This research-in-progress poster considers how oral history projects are, or are not, presented on the websites of public libraries who host them, and attendant issues related to accessibility, privacy, ethics, and community engagement. A study of 38 public library websites revealed several trends, and some surprising non-trends, in the presentation of oral history programs. This poster draws on those patterns to explore three critical questions:

• What are some best practices for sharing oral histories online?
• What are the ethical considerations of sharing oral histories online?
• What accessibility issues exist related to oral histories online and what are public libraries doing …

The Role Of Iran Public Libraries In Development And Promoting Of Tourism Services, Leili Seifi, Raziyeh Kazemi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

People get to know and recognize the culture of nations with a help of tourism. At the same time, the revenue generated by the tourism industry is highly significant. Public libraries are knowledge-based organizations that could be effective in providing tourist attractions through their resources and services. This systematic review of tourism studies within the library sciences is an effort to identify the role of libraries in development of tourism services and identify the research gap for future studies. To this end, the related studies were searched and identified in 10 national and international databases (1999 to 2019), out of …

Partnering For Social Justice: Social Work Students’ Placement At Public Libraries, Sarah C. Johnson

Publications and Research

While the collaborative trend among professional social workers and librarians is garnering much deserved attention, literature about social work students partnering with public libraries is virtually nonexistent. Public librarians can advocate for social justice by initiating partnerships with master-level social work (MSW) students to enhance small- and large-scale programs to address the unique needs of patrons. In this chapter, I highlight existing collaborations among public libraries and student social workers to raise awareness of possibilities.

Public Libraries Respond To The Opioid Crisis In Collaboration With Their Communities: An Introduction, Michele Coleman, Lynn Silipigni Connaway

Collaborative Librarianship

The nation is experiencing an opioid epidemic. As communities across the country feel the epidemic’s impact, public health and human service organizations are implementing responses that include healthcare, education, law enforcement and the judicial system, emergency services, drug and addiction counseling, and community services. Public libraries around the country are choosing to be part of this response.

With funding from a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, OCLC and the Public Library Association will identify, synthesize, and share knowledge and resources that will help public libraries and their community partners develop effective strategies and community-driven coalitions that …

What Collaboration Means To Me: Training The Public On New Technologies, Carol Frost

Collaborative Librarianship

This article explores collaborative technology training in public libraries. The Pew Research report on public libraries finds that libraries should ‘definitely’ offer training on new technology. Although it can be difficult to transform our spaces and programs into hands-on technology learning environments, this article explores several San Francisco Bay Area libraries which are responding to their communities’ needs and developing unique technology programming.

Libraries - Woodford County, Kentucky (Sc 3391), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 3391. Collected research on the history of library services in Woodford County, Kentucky. Includes clippings, correspondence (particularly regarding the merger of the Woodford County Library and the Logan Helm Memorial Library), and historical narratives.

Partnering For Social Justice: Msw Interns In Public Libraries, Sarah C. Johnson

Publications and Research

While the collaborative trend among professional social workers and librarians continues to grow, literature about the utilization of student social workers partnering with libraries is non-existent. Over 64,000 students are currently enrolled in M.S.W. programs through the United States and nearly all are required to complete approximately 900 hours of fieldwork. Such students provide the skills, knowledge, and values that can help take diversity in public libraries to the next level. Public librarians play a critical role in advocating for social justice and change. By reaching out to MSW programs, they invite budding social workers to help advance tolerance for …

Important Factors In Midwestern Public Librarians’ Views On Intellectual Freedom And Collection Development: Part 2, Shannon M. Oltmann

Information Science Faculty Publications

This research examined the beliefs and actions of US midwestern librarians concerning intellectual freedom and collection development. The results are presented in two complementary articles; the first article provided some background and the results pertaining to intellectual freedom, whereas the second article focuses on the results for collection development questions and concludes with a broader discussion. While the first article focused on intellectual freedom beliefs, the second focuses more on actions that are thought to be influenced by those beliefs. The data were obtained through a survey with a 21.37% response rate. In general, respondents—particularly those with master of library …

A Partnership Between Academic And Public Librarians: “What The Health” Workshop Series, Jesssica A. Koos, Jamie Saragossi, Gregg A. Stevens, Salvatore Filosa

Library Faculty Publications

Background: Public librarians are in a unique position to assist the general public with health information inquiries. However, public librarians might not have the training, detailed knowledge, and confidence to provide high-quality health information.

Case Presentation: The authors created and delivered three workshops to public librarians in Suffolk County, New York, highlighting several National Library of Medicine resources. Each workshop focused on a different topic: general consumer health resources, genetics health resources, and environmental/toxicology resources. At the end of each workshop, participants were asked to complete the Training Session Evaluation form provided by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine …

Provision Of Reference And Information Services In Public Libraries To Physically Challenged Persons In Nigeria: Challenges And Prospects, Ogagaoghene Uzezi Idhalama

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

This paper examines the provision of reference and information services to the physically challenged persons in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. The article demystifies the conceptual framework of information services and physically challenged persons, the information needs of the physically challenged as a concept was succinctly analyzed and the attention or relegation received by this group of library users discussed. The public library for instance is there to provide its services to all classes of users irrespective of age, sex, colour and disability. This paper is therefore timely as it ascertained how all libraries can help to meet up with …

Who Votes For Libraries?, Patrick Sweeney

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Important Factors In Midwestern Public Librarians’ Views On Intellectual Freedom And Collection Development: Part 1, Shannon M. Oltmann

Information Science Faculty Publications

This research project examined the beliefs and actions of US midwestern librarians concerning intellectual freedom and collection development. The results are presented in two complementary articles; this first article provides some background and the results pertaining to intellectual freedom, whereas the second article will focus on the results for collection development questions and conclude with a broader discussion. The data were obtained through an extensive survey with a 21.37% response rate. In general, high levels of support for intellectual freedom were found across most respondents and across multiple questions. Respondents with an MLS degree were more likely to be in …