Public Relation Practices in Polytechnic Libraries for Effective Service Delivery in North-Central,Nigeria

This study investigated public relations practices for effective service delivery in polytechnic libraries in North-Central,Nigeria.The study was guided by two research questions.The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study.The population of the study was 107 library staff consisting of both federal and state polytechnic libraries in North-Central,Nigeria.There was no sampling as all the population of the study was used as sample.Two sets of instruments were used to collect data for the study:questionnaire for library staff and interview guide for the polytechnic librarians.The instruments were subjected to face validation by two experts.Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data were transcribed,coded,and analyzed through document analysis as confirmatory to the quantitative data collected.The formulated hypotheses were tested using t-test.The findings revealed that public relations practices used by librarians were attending to users’enquiries on the public information desks and providing suggestion boxes to collect users’opinions,etc.(X=3.20,Sd=0.77;X=3.10,Sd=0.73);Projectors and bulletin boards were the facilities employed in public relations practices(X=3.21,Sd=0.86;X=3.18,Sd=0.69).Based on the findings,it was recommended that,the library management should create awareness on the public relations practices used for effective service delivery through such fora as workshop,orientation,and seminar to educate library users on the relevance of public relations;also librarians should use every possible avenue to be abreast with state-of-the-art facilities that can be employed in public relations practices in polytechnic libraries for effective service delivery,among others.

The Role of Library and Information Science Education in the Development of Community Health Information Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Directors and Managers of Public Libraries

This article identifies the role of library and information science (LIS) education in the development of community health information services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Preliminary findings are presented from semi- structured qualitative interviews that were conducted with eleven directors and managers of local branches in the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) System that is located in the East Tennessee region in the United States. Select feedback reported by research participants is summarized in the article about strategies in LIS education that can help local public librarians and others in their efforts to become more responsive information providers to PLWHA. Research findings help better understand the issues and concerns regarding the development of digital and non-digital health information services for PLWHA in local public library institutions.

Public library services to older adults in China:An empirical study based on content analysis

Purpose:The research is undertaken to help the Chinese public libraries answer the growing needs for library services to the elderly.Based on an investigation of the current situation of the services to older adults in China and a comparative analysis of the services in the U.S.,we attempt to explore what improvements the Chinese public libraries can make to better serve the needs of older adults.Design/methodology/approach:We empirically analyzed the older adults services of 271public libraries in China from 2002 to 2011 via content analysis of both the print materials such as the regulations and policies released by these libraries and the related information on the libraries' websites and the Internet Web pages.Findings:Great strides have been made in the Chinese public libraries' services to older adults in constructing service systems,providing facilities and equipment,exploring cooperative programming,and planning diversified and regularly scheduled activities.Compared with American counterparts,however,the Chinese public libraries need to catch up in understanding the elderly people as library users,planning customized services,formulating service guidelines and evaluation systems,and working with other local agencies for cooperative programming for seniors in communities.Research limitations:It is hard to collect more data covering more geographical areas and longer periods of time.The content analysis of libraries' policies and regulations is a very rough approximation of the libraries' 'real' services.The study should be extended to visits to public libraries in the future.Practical implications:This study provides useful information for the Chinese library policymakers to formulate regulations and policies to provide services to older adults.Originality/value:To the best of our knowledge,the comprehensive survey reported in this paper is the first in-depth investigation of the current situation of public library services to older adults in China,providing the analysis framework for more in-depth surveys in the future.

On Public Library Service Brands

This paper makes a comprehensive analysis of the building of public library service brands in China since the initiation of the reform and opening up in 1978 and anticipate their future development in five aspects,i.e.,critical interpretation of its established culture and analysis of its characteristics,logic of the time,vivid practice,virtuous approaches,as well as future development.

Strategy on Enhancing Service Quality of College Library for Readers

The need of users is constantly changing,this article will analyze and state the way to enhance the service quality of college library for readers.That is how we can provide better service for users and readers,and promote the service of college library.

Current Status and Analysis on Space Service in East China Public Libraries: A Case Study

This paper provides references for the space service of public libraries in China. 51 public libraries in East China were investigated in terms of space type, space facilities and space service reconstruction;the current situation of space service was analyzed and some problems were revealed. Based on the investigation, the characteristics of public libraries’ space service in East China are summarized from the perspective of space type, space service concept and space service mode. And the problems in the aspects of new space service level, space service facility construction and space service evaluation mechanism are pointed out. Through the analysis, space service strategies of public libraries in China are proposed: libraries’ overall quality should be strengthened;space service based on information technology should be promoted;users’ needs should be respected and evaluation mechanism should be developed.

A survey of public needs for digital information service in libraries and museums

Purpose:The purpose of the research is to investigate public needs for digital information service in the Chinese libraries and museums and seek ways to help these public service institutions improve their service to meet user needs.Design/methodology/approach:An online questionnaire survey was used to study the publicneeds for digital information service provided by libraries and museums.A total of 474 valid questionnaires were retrieved for analysis.Findings:The primary purpose of using the digital library and museum service was for knowledge acquisition,followed by work or class assignment and leisure and entertainment.Users need one-stop information service that provides information and service in a more integrated form and allows cross-database searching as well.Research limitations:A majority of the respondents were young and middle-aged people who often use the Internet.We would need to increase our sample size and include different groups of users such as children and retirees to make the sample more representative.Practical implications:Libraries and museums should collaborate to provide the users with one-stop digital information service.Meanwhile,the research can serve as a reference source for the future studies of digital library and museum service.Originality/value:Few studies were published on the public needs for digital library and museum service in China.This study bridges the gap and contributes to our understanding of the Chinese users’ needs for digital information service in libraries and museums.

A survey of public needs for government information service in libraries

Purpose:This paper describes a comprehensive user survey carried out in China to investigate public needs for government information service in libraries.It is expected to provide insights into the ways to help public libraries meet the user needs.Design/methodology/approach:The paper is founded on a survey among library users,librarians and non-library users.Paper questionnaires were distributed in the National Library of China and 32 provincial public libraries in China and electronic questionnaires were sent to non-library users.A total of 909 valid questionnaires were collected.Findings:A lot of attention is paid to policies,laws and regulations relating to common people’s work and lives such as science,technology,education,culture,finance,market supervision,health care,sports,urban construction and environment protection.A wide variety of government information resources is needed and information delivered to users shall be accurate and timely.Internet has become the main means of accessing government information and mobile phones the preferred Web access channel,while printed materials are considered important information sources.Users need assistance and training in the use of library information resources and services.Research limitations:The sample was limited to respondents from provincial-level public libraries,but city and county-level library users were not included.Practical implications:The survey results are beneficial for the Chinese public libraries to design service programs and improve their services.Originality/value:The paper is one of the comprehensive surveys on public needs for government information service in the Chinese libraries and some of die findings will be of wider interest for other libraries.

A discourse on creating and rendering educational and cultural enrichment services to rural migrant workers by public libraries

As far as China's enormous success in her economic reforms and development is concerned,Chinese rural migrant workers indeed have had their biggest share of contributions.Yet ironically in return,they have only received a disproportionate meager share of benefit rewards.These people represent a huge economically deprived group at the bottom of the social totem pole in China's metropolises.On the whole as a social group,their educational attainment is relatively low as compared to their average urban coworkers.As such being the case,their rights to access some of the cost-free cultural and educational enrichment programs in the society are limited and not always assured.Nevertheless and in general speaking,they manifest a strong and consistent desire to acquire all sorts of new and practical knowledge by means of accessing the resources and facilities of their local public libraries.It is suggested in this paper that public libraries are in a good position to give strong support to the central government's strategic planning for the development of a public culture service systema).In implementing such a government initiative with an unswerving purpose of advancing social justice and equality,public libraries should strife to provide as many as possible their library services at no cost to the public,especially to those socially deprived rural migrant workers.

A questionnaire survey on reading and public library utilization of the disabled in Beijing

To investigate the reading activities and library use of the disabled, the authors conducted a questionnaire-based survey among 306 disabled people in four districts of Beijing. The result shows that the disabled mainly take reading as a way of self-education and leisure. They have interest in reading but spend little time on it. Moreover, their age and education level have certain influence on their reading time and effect. Libraries play an important role in the reading activities of the disabled, who have a very strong interes in using libraries, but are limited by such factors as long distance between their home and the libraries, their misperception of libraries, and lack of barrier-free facilities in the libraries. Therefore, public libraries are highly recommended to improve their layout resources, and facilities to provide better services for the disabled.

Living Library为高校开展阅读疗法提供新契机

阅读疗法的理论、实践在我国已取得长足发展,但还未得到普及和推广。Living Li-brary作为图书馆新型的服务方式,为阅读疗法常态化机制的建立提供了新契机。该文简要介绍了阅读疗法与Living Library的兴起与现状,分析了高校图书馆传统的阅读疗法存在的不足与高校开展Living Library活动的巨大潜力,从Living Library的主题确定、Living Book的甄选、编目和管理、导读及阅读疗法的常态化机制的建立上阐述了Living Library与阅读疗法的融合。指出Living Library可以克服阅读疗法信息单向流动的弊端,实现了"书"与读者之间的双向交流互动。

Living Library发展前景探析

作为新兴事物,Living Library是对图书馆提供服务的补充和完善,可以激发读者阅读兴趣,促进知识交流和图书馆事业的发展,在宏观层次上提高国民素质,进而提高国家文化软实力。目前,Living Library处于探索阶段,可借鉴的经验少,在招募"图书"环节存在困难。图书馆应建立专门的Living Library,形成四位一体的学习空间,以提高图书馆的利用效率,产生良好的社会效益。

Human Library在我国的本土化现状及存在问题研究

文章通过对Human Library的介绍,在调查我国Human Library发展现状的基础上,总结出Human Library在我国本土化进程中出现的问题,并针对存在的问题提出解决措施,来保证Human Library的可持续发展,更好地实现知识与经验的交流,最终提高国民的文化素质。

Living Library——图书馆读者服务的另一扇窗

Living Library活动起源于欧洲,是近年来国外图书馆界采用的一种全新的读者服务方式。它通过借阅"活人"的方式减少偏见,促进理解和宽容,活动一经推出就受到读者的热烈欢迎。这种全新的服务方式更新了图书馆服务理念,拓展了图书馆读者服务模式,对图书馆在网络环境下的发展极具实践意义。在国内目前该项活动仍处于起步阶段,实现本地化和特色化尚需时日。

Living Library:图书馆界兴起的一种全新的服务方式

Living Library是近年来国内外采用的一种全新的图书馆服务方式。它通过"出借"各种有着特殊职业、兴趣、信仰的Living Books,让其在开放自由的氛围中与读者进行面对面交流,消除偏见,促进理解和宽容。开展Living Library活动为图书馆在读者服务方面开拓了新的更广阔的发展空间。

大学生Human Library服务需求实证研究——以济宁学院图书馆为例

文章以济宁学院在校大学生Human Library服务需求问卷调查统计数据为依据,通过分析大学生对Human Library服务的认知度、参与度和期望度,发现Human Library服务中存在认知不足、真人书上架时间短、可持续性差等问题,提出加大宣传、挖掘有价值真人书、做好后期保存工作、构建嵌入式服务模式等解决途径及创新措施。

美国公共图书馆“Seed Library”服务实践

文章介绍了近十几年来在美国公共图书馆中逐渐开展的"Seed Library"服务项目,首先阐述了其提出背景、在公共图书馆中的缘起;而后介绍了这一服务的主要运作模式,并以皮马郡公共图书馆为例,描述其"Seed Library"开展步骤;最后对服务实践的开展进行思考并提出公共图书馆应努力保持与社会发展的相关性、承担更多社会职责、注重用户体验、引导用户自主学习能力的提升、积极寻求社会协作的建议。

Human Library——高校图书馆的新型读者服务模式

Human Library(原名Living Library)是近年来国内外兴起的一种新型服务理念和服务模式,于2008年传入中国。它以活体图书(living book),即人,作为图书的方式出借,以促进对话、消除偏见、加强宽容和理解为目的。高校图书馆无论从组织、管理到资源都具备完善的体系,因此,对于推行Human Library服务,高校图书馆具有得天独厚的优势。这一新型读者服务模式的推行必将为构建高校和谐图书馆做出贡献。

高校依托离退休教职工资源开展Human Library服务的探讨

Human Library(真人图书馆)是近年来国内外新兴的一种阅读模式,读者"以人为书",采用面对面交流的方式进行阅读,以达到相互沟通,增强理解,消除偏见,促进和谐的目的。依托离退休教职工的隐性知识资源开展Human Library活动,可以实现大学生、离退休教职工、图书馆及高校的共赢,对构建和谐社会具有重要意义。本文对该模式的意义及实施方案进行了探讨,旨在为高校离退休教职工和图书馆读者服务工作带来新启示。

以苏州大学图书馆为例探索研究高校图书馆“Living Library”服务

"Living Library"作为近年来兴起的一种全新服务理念,在国内外各类社会机构已有诸多实践,图书馆界亦有不少研究。如何在高校图书馆开展并持续推广该服务,还需图书馆员结合各馆具体情况深入研究。笔者以苏州大学图书馆真人图书阅读活动为例,探索高校图书馆开展Living Library阅读服务的有效途径及其发展意义。