Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Federal Funding of Public Libraries: A Study Prepared for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science by the Government Studies and Systems, Inc.Improving State Aid to Public Libraries: Report Prepared for the Urban Libraries Council by the Government Studies and Systems, Inc.

1979 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-345
Author(s):  
Alex Ladenson
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Federal Funding ◽  
State Aid ◽  
National Commission ◽  
Urban Libraries ◽  
The Government

scholarly journals Numeracy Programming at Major Canadian Urban Libraries: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Budac ◽  
Céline Gareau-Brennan ◽  
David Mucz ◽  
Michael McNally ◽  
Dinesh Rathi
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Critical Gap ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Program Content ◽  
Urban Libraries ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Of Canada ◽  
Age Range

The Government of Canada identifies numeracy as a foundational skill for work, learning, and life. Libraries have historically been champions of literacy; however, the role of libraries in developing numeracy skills is understudied. Specifically, there is a critical gap in studying numeracy programs offered by public libraries. This exploratory study examines the state of numeracy programming at five major urban public libraries in Canada (Calgary Public Library, Edmonton Public Library, Bibliothèques de Montréal, Ottawa Public Library, and Toronto Public Library) to understand the types and varieties of numeracy programs that they offer. The frequency of programs, the intended age range, and the program content are the main foci of this paper. The researchers examined 1166 program listings by scraping programming information from the five libraries’ websites. The data was collected for the second week of December 2015 and relied on programming descriptions from libraries' websites. Results showed that a total of 65 programs (5.6% of total programs) covered numeracy related skills. Overall, the options to learn about numeracy concepts were very limited at all of the libraries in the sample. Calgary offered the highest number of children-focused numeracy programs, while Toronto offered the greatest number of adult-focused numeracy programs. “Math/mathematics” was the most common term used to describe numeracy-related programs. This exploratory study underscores the need for greater investigation of numeracy programming in public libraries.

scholarly journals Formation of the Organizational and Functional Structure of Library Education in the Republic of Cameroon

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-188
Author(s):  
J. Zemengue
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Training System ◽  
Functional Structure ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Library Education ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

The paper considers the works of Russian specialists and scientists from other countries devoted to the  organizational and  functional process of training of library personnel. The author proposes to use this experience to form the  system of library education in the  Republic of Cameroon. The organizational and functional structure of library staff training in the Republic of Cameroon should include the following multifunctional and  successively interrelated  levels: specialized secondary library education, higher library education, training of scientific personnel and  additional training programs for  the  professional development and  retraining of specialists. For realization of such a structure dedicated to the  training of specialists, it would  seem appropriate to decide at the  government level on the  establishment of a Library and  Information Science College  in the  country, which would  focus on training of mid-level specialists, primarily for small public libraries. At the University of Yaounde ІІ, it is important to create a Library and Information Science Faculty and start the Master’s Degree training of students in librarianship; and in the longer term, Postgraduate programs for  scientific staff. Organisation of qualification improvement and professional retraining can be carried out  by joint efforts of the  University of Yaounde ІІ and  the  major libraries of Cameroon. Practical introduction of the organizational and functional structure as the basis  for implementation of training system for library staff in the Republic of Cameroon shall be carried out on the basis of classical management functions: planning, organization, motivation, coordination and regulation, control, taking into account the  external and internal factors influencing the  training of library staff.

Perceptions on Job Requirements of LIS Graduates in Public Libraries: A Reflection on Public Libraries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mpilo Siphamandla Mthembu ◽  
Dennis Ngong Ocholla
Keyword(s):  
Work Experience ◽  
Computer Literacy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Structured Interviews

Public libraries play a crucial role in the information and knowledge society. Their access and services in the fourth industrial revolution require review as well as the knowledge of the competency requirements for Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates to offer professional services. This paper presents the competencies LIS graduates require for work. It also seeks to examine the challenges they encounter in public libraries. The study is driven by the notion that a skills gap and a lack of training for LIS professionals are still daunting challenges in most public libraries. The post-positivism paradigm was employed through the triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies in data collection and analysis. Content analysis and a survey were employed as research methods. The study scanned job advertisements in four newspapers spanning a three-year period (from January 2015 to December 2017). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with assistant directors and structured questionnaires were administered to LIS graduates. Grade 12, one to three years of work experience, computer literacy and communication skills are the most required competencies to work at public libraries. There seems to be no balance between theory and practice offered in most LIS schools, which suggests the need for curricula revision. Employed LIS graduates are facing several challenges, which include lack of practical exposure or knowledge, lack of qualification recognition and individual promotions, and lack of ICT skills and knowledge.

Public Libraries: Their Role in Smart City Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (2(116)) ◽  
pp. 26-43
Author(s):  
Mariusz Luterek
Keyword(s):  
Smart City ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
National Language ◽  
General Strategy ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Strategic Plans ◽  
Unique Approach ◽  
New Perspective

  Purpose/Thesis: This paper examines the position of public libraries in smart city strategies. To that end, I verify two hypotheses, H1: Cities analyzed employ strategic plans to define their path to “smartness”, and H2: Public libraries are a part of these strategies. Approach/Methods: Top 30 cities from the ranking of IESE Cities in Motion Index 2019 were se­lected. The hypotheses were tested through the analysis of strategy documents and web portals. In most cases, the analysis relied on English versions of said documents/portals, occasionally compared with the national language version . Results and conclusions: The process of verifying the first hypothesis led to identifying four groups: G1, comprising cities with a general strategy, presumed to include smart initiatives (3 cities), G2: cities with a separate “smart city” strategy, published on their own portal, or a related website (15 cities); G3: cities with subsites/portals briefly summarizing their activities in the area of ‘smart’ development (10 cities), and G4: cities with many sectoral strategies, presumed to include smart initiatives (2 ci­ties). The analysis allowed the identification of a number of areas in which public libraries already contribute to smart development: smart building, smart infrastructure, smart services, digital skills and life-long learning, sustainability, creativity, digital citizenship and smart business Originality/Value: Although many library and information science scholars study smart cities, no similar study has been conducted, and therefore, this paper, with its unique approach, offers a new perspective on the discussion on smart libraries.

scholarly journals An analysis of American public libraries’ policies on patron use of Internet pornography

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-74
Author(s):  
Hannah Edlund
Keyword(s):  
First Amendment ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Internet Pornography ◽  
Internet Filtering ◽  
Pornography Use ◽  
Children’S Internet Protection Act ◽  
Use Of Internet

AbstractDrawing on and expanding previous graduate course research, this paper investigated and analyzed public libraries’ policies regarding patron use of legal, visual Internet pornography on public computers. Pornographic imagery that falls within legal boundaries is protected by the First Amendment. Incidents of, and library responses to, pornography viewing are not a new issue and have caused turmoil across the field of library and information science. In an attempt to understand the problem, the research question asks: how do public libraries respond to patrons viewing legal Internet pornography, while upholding First Amendment rights as well as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and other legal requirements? Libraries tread a fine line to protect First Amendment rights, respect community laws, and uphold CIPA. Research indicated that responding to Internet pornography use in public libraries is heavily dependent on individual, community and library values. Policies are more likely to prohibit patrons from accessing Internet pornography, and most libraries have at least some Internet filtering software restricting what content may be accessed on public use computers. However, evidence also suggests that regardless of policy or filters, library staff will at some point encounter a patron accessing Internet pornography.

scholarly journals The Library and Information Science (LIS) Profession and the Cameroon Development Vision 2035: A Perception Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary M. Shafack
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
The Government

The world faces immense challenges which range from people living in poverty and denied dignity, rising inequalities, unemployment, global health threats, natural disasters, spiraling conflicts, violent extremism, terrorism and related humanitarian crises leading to force displacement of people, the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation and the resultant climate change problem, just to name these. Fortunately, there are recognized human rights in the context of the United Nations (UN) Universal Declaration of Human Right in Article 19 and the Africa Chatter. These problems have thus challenged the world’s organizations to think and reflect on the way forward and some of these ways are developmental plans which include the UN Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, the African Union (AU) 2063 Development Agenda with 17 aspirations, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Strategy Plan and key initiative and the Cameroon Development Vision 2035 emergence programme. These agendas require a number of stakeholders to intervene if these challenges must be reduced for the benefit of humanity. One of such stakeholders is the Library and Information Science (LIS) Profession. The question that comes up with respect to the Cameroon context is, “Is the LIS profession in Cameroon able to meet its information role?” In line with this, three research questions were coined to guide data collection for this paper. The survey method was adopted with document analysis and interview schedule constituting the main data collecting instruments. The simple descriptive statistical method was used for data analysis. The information profession is critical in the development agenda, because it provides the platform for access to various information that enhance the progress of all human activities. The LIS profession drives the knowledge economy. Thus it is well placed to roll the information literacy programmes of any nation to help people have access to quality information, enhance community education, social, health and economic needs thereby improving lives and development. There is equally the shift from a print to a digital information environment as supported by the advent of new Internet technology such as mobile or broadband. This is changing the means and mechanisms of information delivery in libraries which have the potential to lead, improve and provide more relevant services and programmes for users. This profession has proven to be the most suitable with skills and mandate to pull together, organize and make available and accessible information in all forms and formats to all irrespective of their social, educational and physical status. From the study it is clear that the LIS profession in Cameroon is not able to play its role of collector and steward of human heritage, is not able to play its fundamental role in enhancing education through the different libraries and information services, is not able to enhance and ensure inclusive, equitable, quality education and promote lifelong learning and is unable to increase access to information and knowledge assisted by ICTs to support sustainable development to help Cameroon in its development agenda. The recommendation is that it will be unfortunate for a nation like Cameroon not to afford to accord an appropriate attention to the LIS profession which is a suitable developmental tool. The government needs therefore to provide the needed status for this sector and put it on its agenda and this will usher in a new spirit of information professionalism in Cameroon that will go a long way to enhance literacy that is needed if Cameroon must develop.

From Divergence to Convergence in Hungarian Librarianship: Towards a Common Digital Platform

Libri ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-329
Author(s):  
Péter Kiszl ◽  
Rita Radó ◽  
Miklós Péter Hubay
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Community Organisation ◽  
Digital Development ◽  
Library Network ◽  
Development Plans

Abstract Hungarian librarianship and related research are sadly underrepresented in international literature. With this article we intend to fill this gap and inform the experts of library and information science of some of the most recent Hungarian innovations. After showcasing the international professional connections of Hungarian librarianship, we present the structure of the Hungarian public library network and its mode of operation. We also analyse current and future main digital development plans, projects and the most important related professional activities of Hungarian libraries. Emphasis is placed on information systems promoting cooperation between libraries and the issues of the National Library System Project, which is a large-scale modernisation programme carried out between 2016 and 2018, designed to develop the IT system of the National Széchényi Library. After introducing the information systems of academic and specialised libraries and the access models of scientific databases provided by multinational and Hungarian content services, we also discuss the endeavours of public libraries aiming for multifunctionality and community organisation. The paper ends by providing insights into how the outcomes of the recent initiatives have been fed back into Hungarian LIS training courses offered in higher education.

scholarly journals One Law with Two Outcomes: Comparing the Implementation of CIPA in Public Libraries and Schools

2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul T. Jaeger ◽  
Zheng Yan
Keyword(s):  
Education Research ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Federal Funding ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Policy Context ◽  
Current State ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Children’S Internet Protection Act

<span>Though the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) established requirements for both public libraries and public schools to adopt filters on all of their computers when they receive certain federal funding, it has not attracted a great amount of research into the effects on libraries and schools and the users of these social institutions. This paper explores the implications of CIPA in terms of its effects on public libraries and public schools, individually and in tandem. Drawing from both library and education research, the paper examines the legal background and basis of CIPA, the current state of Internet access and levels of filtering in public libraries and public schools, the perceived value of CIPA, the perceived consequences of CIPA, the differences in levels of implementation of CIPA in public libraries and public schools, and the reasons for those dramatic differences. After an analysis of these issues within the greater policy context, the paper suggests research questions to help provide more data about the challenges and questions revealed in this analysis.</span>

Community engagement, cultural competence and two Australian public libraries and Indigenous communities

IFLA Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
Sustainable Community ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Definition Of

Two examples of community engagement in Australian public libraries, drawn from the author’s experience, are analysed using Sung and Hepworth’s (2013) community engagement model for public libraries and Overall’s (2009) definition of cultural competence in a library and information science framework. The examples are examined for the community engagement characteristics identified by Sung and Hepworth; each is also considered for cultural competence, using the domains which Overall posits are the sites where this competence occurs or is developed. A virtuous circle of community engagement is extrapolated from the second example. ‘Hierarchical equivalence’ between organizations, a group’s proportional presence in a population and the nature of each group’s aims, are suggested as further factors in sustainable community engagement. That culture is an asset on which communities draw to engage with libraries and the broader community, and that communities will respond to engagement approaches if they offer the possibility of meeting community aspirations, is evident in both examples.

scholarly journals “Social Information Science” – as a concept for assimilating Smart Internet Usage in a Multi-Cultural Society : The Case of Israel

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Shifra Baruchson-Arbib
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Social Information ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Community Centers ◽  
Information Selection ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
The Individual

The present paper discusses Social Information Science, an innovative field of study, which can enhance assimilation of smart internet usage in multi-cultural countries such as Israel. Social Information Science (S.I.) deals with the development ,theory and applications relating to the retrieval and processing of social and medical information, training “social information scientists,” as well as the development of SI mediation services such as SI banks, SI sections in schools ,public libraries, hospitals, community centers, and private services. Together, these concerted efforts aim to establish a modern information-oriented climate in which stressful social and medical issues are handled through the retrieval and use of reliable information as the basis for knowledgeable decision making. Mediation services demonstrate the potential and risks involved in internet usage, as well as the importance of information-based decisions. Social Information Science will help train people to conduct their daily life decisions on the basis of information selection and self-responsibility- which is a step forward in the evolvement and empowerment the individual.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document