Library and Information Research (LIR)
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An evaluation of the Development of the People\u27s Network in the North East
Get PDFThis research was conducted in response to a brief from NEMLAC requesting a review of the development of the People\u27s Network in the North East region\u27s public libraries with a view to the preparation of an Action Plan. The methodology involved interviews with key contacts in each of the 12 authorities in the North East, questionnaires distributed to users of the PN and brief interviews with customers using the PN in libraries within each authority. An Expert Day was held to which PN managers from the 12 authorities were invited to discuss and contribute to the research findings
A survey of copyright advice and guidance in UK higher education libraries
Get PDFThe results of a questionnaire sent out to members of the lis-copyseek discussion group in Summer, 2003 to assess who currently provides copyright advice in UK higher Education libraries and what concerns these people have. There is a clear feeling that not all the answers given are correct, even though many queries are rated as quite easy. Queries arrive from a variety of sources. There is a need for continued short courses to keep copyright advisors up to date, but lis-copyseek itself is considered by far the most helpful source of information
Any questions? Just Ask: Changing library roles at the University of Huddersfield to support widening participation
Get PDFThis article describes an innovative scheme to improve
students\u27 abilities and confidence in using a University
library, by adapting the role of library assistants.
Through developing a more proactive and welcoming
approach to supporting students when they entered
the Library, it was hoped the Library would be able to
contribute to the University\u27s mission to attract and
retain students from non-traditional HE backgrounds.
The scheme has been well received by students and
staff. The article highlights issues raised during the
development, implementation and evaluation of the
scheme
What are students doing in our library? Ethnography as a method of exploring library user behaviour
Get PDFSummarises an ethnographic study conducted at Loughborough University in 2007 which investigated user behaviour in a new open-plan learning environment. Seeks to encourage wider use of ethnography within library and information science research. Recommends the method as a particularly effective way to explore how library space is used. Encourages both practitioner-researchers and academics to consider using the methodology more frequently
Change in store? An investigation into the impact of the book superstore environment on use, perceptions and expectations of the public library as a space, place and experience
Get PDFThe book superstore is promoted not just as a place to buy books but also as a community resource in which to read, learn and socialise: traits that have in combination traditionally been the preserve of the public library. This study investigates the impact of the bookstore environment on public library space. The attitudes and behaviours of library and bookstore users were examined through focus group interviews and a self-completed questionnaire. Clear areas of overlap in the functions of the two sites were found, as was evidence of age and income-related splits in use and perception of bookstores and libraries. Results suggest attention should be paid to the beliefs and behaviours of young people and middle-income earners (the groups most noticeably increasing their use of the bookstore) and to the desired balance of education and recreation in the image and nature of the public library
Practitioner research in libraries: a cross-sectoral comparison
Get PDFEven when research conducted in public library authorities does not have a major impact on policy, it can be crucial for service development. In Spring 2003, the Centre for Information Research (CIRT) at the University of Central England carried out a series of surveys of public, academic, health, school and special libraries in the British Isles in order to obtain up-to-date information about the research issues of particular interest to staff. This indicated that there is significant interest in research, even among those librarians who are not heavily involved in research activity personally. There were a number of common themes which cut across the different library sectors, including ICT, user needs, accommodation, collections, funding, staffing and co-operation. This suggests that, while sector-specific research is necessary in some areas, in others, cross-sectoral research may help library staff to address the common problems they all face
Your Choice Books
Get PDFDuring the summer of 2003, a three-month trial
project, Your Choice Books, was undertaken on behalf of
Warrington Library, Museum and Archives Service. A
selection of existing library stock was relocated to the
local YMCA, which is frequented by homeless people,
in an attempt to combat social exclusion. Basic
questionnaires were distributed to users of the YMCA
and to members of library staff. This resulted in
qualitative data determining interest in the programme
from a sample of YMCA visitors and challenged staff to
consider their social conscience with regards to those
disadvantaged by homelessness. Quantitative data was
obtained by tabulating responses using the statistical
analysis package SPSS.The findings revealed this to be a
successful project which, after careful consideration
and discussion, is to continue indefinitely
Measuring the impact of higher education libraries: the LIRG/SCONUL Impact Implementation Initiative
Get PDFThe Library and Information Research Group (LIRG)
and the Society of College, National, and University
Libraries (SCONUL) are working together on a joint
initiative looking at the impact of higher education
libraries on learning, teaching, and research. Twentytwo
libraries have been involved in assessing the impact of particular services or new innovations in their institutions. This article considers why measuring impact is important, describes the background to the Impact Initiative and what led to it being set up, identifies the institutions that are involved and their chosen topics, outlines what is involved for the participating institutions, and reviews progress to date
The management of hybrid libraries
Get PDFThis research investigates managerial attitudes to some key ideas concerning the organisational design of hybrid libraries. It establishes the general theoretical base for the management of organisations operating in similar circumstances, and considers the treatment of hybrid libraries in the literature of librarianship. A questionnaire administered to UK library directors obtained responses to the key areas of organisational structures, communication, the management of
electronic/digital information, skills, learning and development, teams, leadership and the degree of change in the roles of senior and middle management
Laser Foundation. Libraries Impact Project. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, July 2005.
Get PDFThis report was commissioned by the Laser Foundation and carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP \u27in response to the perceived urgent need for the public library sector to be able to demonstrate to local and national government the scale of its contribution to the interests of society\u27. The general aim was to define and measure in a reproducible way the full impact that libraries have in influencing and supporting their local communities and to ensure that robust data would be available to confirm evidence of impact