Emerald | New Library World

Social Media at the University: A Demographic Comparison

Alice B. Ruleman — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine faculty and student responses to questions regarding their use of social media and to determine possible demographic differences.Design/methodology/approach - A web-based quantitative survey format utilizing multiple choice and matrix type questions was selected for this research.Findings - Both faculty and students are active users of social media. Some distinct demographic differences were found but they did not always match expected results.Research limitations/implications - The nature of a multiple-choice survey creates some limitations although it also makes it easier to obtain responses from a broad range of individuals. The responses to this survey indicate some interesting demographic results particularly related to gender differences (or lack of) with the students and faculty, as well as the differences between the two groups even when comparing the same ages. Additional research could help to explain these differences.Practical implications - This environmental scan can aid the library in determining potential social media to use to provide service to the campus.Originality/value - Although it is important to examine one’s own campus to determine services, looking at other research results can be a starting point for your own campus.

Staff-less libraries - recent Danish public library experiences

Carl Gustav Johannsen — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Modern IT-based loans- and delivery automation systems combined with video surveillance and monitoring cameras have enabled new service opportunities and models in public libraries. In Denmark, staff-less public libraries have appeared recently in many local communities. The first was established in Jutland already in 2004; however, it was first in the last two years, 2010 and 2011, that it became a trend through the establishment of more than 80 staff-less or open libraries in Denmark in 2012 the number has, furthermore, risen to 104 –( personal information delivered by Jonna Holmgaard Larsen, March 8, 2012). This article will report on the Danish experiences with open libraries in terms of local community characteristics, their use - visits and loans, characteristics of the users in terms of sex and age and, finally, an analysis of critical success factors revealed in association with open libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The article is based on a survey conducted by the author in the autumn 2011, including a questionnaire survey and a number of interviews and observations Findings - The overall conclusion is that the concept has been quite successful in terms of use and local support and that it has strengthened the position of the local public libraries in the local communities. Research limitations/implications - The primary limitations of the survey derive from the relatively short time where the staff-less libraries have been operated. It would also be interesting, in the future, to analyse how the concept will be introduced into more urbanised environmentsPractical implications - The identified critical succes factors will be relevant for professionals and politicians considering to introduce staff-less public library servicesOriginality/value - There is very few articles on staff-less libraries being published - this is the first based on a comprehensive survey

The Digital Challenge for the Book Industry - a viewpoint of Frankfurt Book Fair

Sandra Song — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The text gives an overview about important developments in the book and media industry, in the specific viewpoint of Frankfurt Book Fair. This text originally was a paper of a presentation held during BOBCATSSS 2012 - Conference on Information Science. Design/methodology/approach - It is not so much an academic study, but a viewpoint, a summary of the studies, market research and surveys, which the Frankfurt Book Fair has conducted into the situation of the book market, and which it has used to develop its current profile.Findings - The content business is opening up new areas of great potential – digital rights and multimedia formats are taking place alongside the international trade in translation rights. Traditionally linear value chains are becoming intermeshed to form multidimensional ‘value spaces’. The industry focuses today on cooperating with new partners on new multimedia formats and ideas, involving the creative industries of films, games, books as well as the ICT sector. Knowledge and exchange will become relevant factors. At the same time, digitisation is strengthening the situation of authors and other content producers. By consequence, publishers, agents and booksellers are repositioning themselves. Originality/value - The Frankfurt Book Fair must always anticipate today what will be influencing the book industry tomorrow. Its purpose is to reflect the book industry while at the same time providing orientation in a world where change is becoming a constant. This paper examines the Frankfurt Book Fair's own take on the developments and trends in the industry.

Norwegian public libraries and governmental reports. Visions and economic realities

Tor Sveum, Froydis Tveter — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss visions and realities in recent Norwegian governmental reports on libraries. How realistic are the government’s plans? Do the commitments in the reports comply with the budgetary proposals? How do the local libraries interpret them? Would a change in government affect the public libraries, as they are funded by municipal authorities and local politicians?Design/methodology/approach - The methods used are a qualitative analysis of interviews and an examination of the reports and relevant statistical data. Six public libraries, of different types and geographical distribution, have been chosen for analysis. Statistical and economic data have been obtained from the KOSTRA database (Municipality-State-Reporting) from Statistics Norway and the annual ALM (Archives, Libraries, Museums) publication Statistics for archives, libraries and museum (Statistikk for arkiv, bibliotek og museum)Findings - The budget proposals of the Norwegian government indicate willingness to implement the commitments in the governmental reports, with the exception of the small amounts allocated to competence development and model libraries. The reports do not address the serious challenges facing Norwegian public librariesOriginality/value - The paper discusses the latest official plans and strategies for Norwegian libraries. This should interest library employees and library and information students and teachers, as well as governmental representatives and politicians. The in-depth analysis of a selection of Norwegian public libraries could be valuable for the librarians in Norway, as well as in other countries, in times of budget cuts, decreasing resources and financial difficulties

Rural Library Services II: An Empirical Assessment of Information Provision in Rural Communities in Northern Districts of Bangladesh*

Md Shariful Islam, S.M. Zabed Ahmed — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The main aim of this paper is to empirically measure the performance and impact of rural library activities in northern districts of Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach - The study was carried out separately in ten rural communities with library facilities. Background data about library collections was collected. Point of exit interviews with library users were carried out to gather their opinions on library collections, performance and impact.Findings - The results of the study highlight library users’ demographic characteristics, their library use and information seeking pattern, library activities, and their opinions on library collections, performance and impact. The constraints faced by them in using library services were also identified. The results show that most users were generally satisfied with the performance and impact of the library. Originality/value - This paper is the first attempt to measure empirically the impact of rural library activities in Bangladesh. We expect more such research on impact assessment of rural library activities in other developing countries.

Which books are challenged more - classics or contemporary?

Carly Grace Akers — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This study examined and compared the ALA’s statistics on the most frequently challenged books between the years 2000—2010, specifically those that are listed on the ALA’s "Banned and Challenged Classics" list (which can be found http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedclassics ) versus those that are contemporary. This study seeks to determine a greater understanding of the trends in what books are challenged over time and why. Simply stated, intellectual freedom is the basis for the United States’ democratic system. As Americans, we expect for our citizens to be well informed, and for libraries to provide different portals of information in order for us inform ourselves. Intellectual freedom "provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored" ("Library Bill of Rights" www.ala.org, 2010). In addition, this study will further examine some of the common trends in challenged materials over the past decade. The research attempted to answer the following questions: Were classic books reported to the ALA banned book list as challenged more often than contemporary books during the period 2000—2010? Has there been a rise in challenged contemporary books in the years 2000—2010? What are the similarities and differences for the reasons in challenging classic versus contemporary works of literature? The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) collects information from newspapers and receives reports from libraries, schools, and media on attempts to ban books from across the country, some of whom use the Challenge Reporting Form, which is available on the ALA Web site. Challenges from individuals are kept confidential, but the ALA will release the book’s title, the state, and the type of institution where it was challenged, while challenges found in newspapers are compiled in a bimonthly newsletter and later compiled in a Banned Books Resource Guide (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/challengereporting 2010, para 6). In addition, the Office for Intellectual Freedom publishes on its Web site the "Top 10" frequently challenged books by year from 2001—2009, the 100 most frequently banned and challenged books by decades including 1990—1999 , and 2000—2009, and a list of 100 banned and challenged classics. Because not all challenges of books are reported, the ALA states on its Web site, "We do not claim comprehensiveness in recording challenges as research suggests that for each challenge reported there are as many as four or five that go unreported, so it is assumed the challenged book reports collected by ALA are representative of book challenges in general. In addition, OIF had only been collecting data about banned books since 1990, so we do not have any lists of frequently challenged books or authors before that date" (2010, para 3). In addition, because the Banned Books Resource Guide was published in 2010, it is assumed that books that were challenged in 2010 after the book’s publication were not included in the volume. Design/methodology/approach - This study consulted the Banned Book Resource Guide, which is published every three years by the ALA. The particular edition used, the most recent, was published in 2010. The Resource Guide contains all of the books that have been reported to the ALA that have been challenged or banned. The book is widely available in libraries or for sale on the ALA Web site in the store, or from booksellers, such as Amazon.com ("Frequently Challenged Books" http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged para 3). The books that have been challenged in the years 2000—2010 were examined. The first step was going through the Resource Guide and becoming familiar with the books that were challenged between the years 2000—2010 and highlighting them for later reference. After listing all of the books, the ALA list of classic books was cross-referenced and the classics were removed and put into their own list. Columns with the reasons for the challenge are indicated in the spreadsheet at the top of the lists. The reason(s) for the challenges against the books were listed, and included: drugs, homosexuality, offensive language, parental permission, racism, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited to age group, violence, witchcraft, challenged, and "other." These terms are used by the ALA to denote succinct reasons for which books are challenged, with the exceptions of parental permission, challenged and other. Books marked parental permission are not specifically recognized as a reason by the ALA, but are of particular interest because they demonstrate acts of compromise between the challenger and the particular library. Parental permission, for the purpose of this study, denotes titles in which an understanding has been made in which a parent will be notified if a book contains possibly objectionable material or written parental permission will be obtained in order for the book to be checked out or taught in a classroom, or a similar scenario. Challenged is marked in the instance where no specific reason for the incident is given. Most books marked as challenged go on to include "challenged, but retained…" or they are challenged with a group of other books with a several reasons for the challenges that are not specific to any particular work. Other is used to indicate the titles that simply do not fit into any of the prescribed categories. The specific reasons for each book that is marked as other are given in Appendix VI. The books listed in the other category are done so based strictly on the basis for complaint; Invisible Marijuana and Psychedelic Mushroom Gardens, for instance, was not grouped in the drugs category because the specific complaint was that it is a "step-by-step manual on how to circumvent the law." Though its title clearly states that it is a book about drugs, the specific complaint ruled it to belong in the other category. After the reasons for challenges were put at the top of each spread sheet, the individual titles’ reasons for complaint were analyzed and marked on the spreadsheet with the year that the complaint occurred. Many titles were challenged for multiple reasons over multiple years, as are indicated. To determine the first research question, Were classic books reported to the ALA banned book list as challenged more often than contemporary books during the period 2000-2010?, an examination of the numbers in the classic list of books and the contemporary list of books were noted and recorded. Because some books were challenged for a variety reasons over a number of years, those numbers were noted and recorded as well. The second research question, Has there been a rise in challenged contemporary books in the years 2000-2010?, was determined by counting the number of times contemporary books were challenged by year and reporting the results. The titles of the books were put in lists by year. For the final research question, What are the similarities and differences for the reasons in challenging classic versus contemporary works of literature?, totals of the number of challenges for both contemporary and classic books were first taken. There were 58 cases of challenges for the given years for classic books, and 686 cases of challenges for contemporary book

In the Library: Quiet Space Endures

Bruce Massis — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this column is to present a single snapshot of the modern library. Even though much of the building itself has evolved into a collaborative learning space and a highly visible social environment, the traditional notion of at least a portion of the building as quiet study space must remain in place to support its place, for many, as an enduring exemplar of solitude. For those who are engaged in independent study and quiet contemplation, it is essential that the quiet study spaces in our libraries endure. Design/methodology/approach - Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by writers and researchers.Findings - Data indicate that, even though technology is a paramount request by patrons using our libraries, many require a quiet place to study as an integral part of their library experience. Originality/value - The value in addressing this issue is to consider the substantiation suggesting that even though libraries have and continue to the transform to meet the varied technological and other needs of the patron, those needs should include providing quiet study space for them as well.

E-Books: Discussions of Production, Content, and Future at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair

Hilary Jane Westgate — 2012-05-11 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Not available.