Studying the Use of Public Spaces in the Library

Author(s):  
Francine May

Methods for studying the public places of libraries, including mental mapping, observation and patron mapping are reviewed. Reflections on the experience of adapting an observational technique for use in multiple different library spaces are shared. Sont passées en revue les méthodes pour étudier la place publique des bibliothèques, y compris les représentations mentales, l’observation et la catégorisation des usagers. L’auteure partage ses réflexions sur l’expérience d’adapter une technique d’observation à différents espaces de bibliothèque. ***Full paper in the Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science***

2021 ◽  
Vol 2089 (1) ◽  
pp. 012051
Author(s):  
O Facho ◽  
T Cama ◽  
D Esenarro ◽  
J Livia ◽  
C Cuetoand ◽  
...  

Abstract The present research aims to propose a model for the recovery of residual public spaces to improve the quality of life of the district of San Borja’s inhabitants. San Borja is in the process of densification and requires a more significant number of public spaces that offer, in addition to vegetation, public places for active and passive recreation, such as spaces for sports and games, walking pets, and relaxation. These needs have increased due to the confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it was noted that the median strip, or central reservation of the avenue, can be recovered for people to use. Therefore, a four-phase study was carried out that included reviewing the literature and observing two cases. In conclusion, a model was proposed to recover the public space of the median strips of San Borja Norte Avenue and San Borja Sur Avenue to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of San Borja, which can be replicated in other avenues with residual spaces with similar characteristics.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Lambert ◽  
Scott McQuire ◽  
Nikos Papastergiadis

Networked media are increasingly pervading public spaces and influencing the way we behave in public. Australian municipalities and cultural institutions have begun deploying free Wi-Fi services hoping they will attract more visitors to public places, aid in curated events, galvanize communities and enhance local economies. In this article we present multi-method research aimed at understanding whether such services can enhance public space and culture, and hence contribute to the public good. We identify multiple forms of positive use which certain kinds of ‘user-centric' services enable. However, many public institutions face problems to do with funding, network models and choice of place which prevent the actualization of these positive outcomes. We consider how e-planning can be mobilized to help such institutions develop virtuous networked public spaces.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Najiha Jaffar ◽  
Nor Zalina Harun ◽  
Alias Abdullah

Public spaces are vital elements of settlement fabrics that animate communities together in one place. Nevertheless, most public places are used for recreational purposes only without building on communal activities, especially in religious aspects. Therefore, to achieve robust social sustainability, this study aims to identify the key indicators for ensuring social sustainability of traditional settlements’ public spaces. This study explores the typologies of public spaces found in traditional settlements that fill the needs of the local community. A mixed methodology was used to map and observe the public spaces and the communal activities held in two traditional Malay settlements in Kuala Terengganu. The bulk of the data were randomly collected from 400 residents by using a questionnaire survey to identify the most relevant factors that influence social sustainability. The results show that mosques have been listed as the highest preference of public space in the two sampled settlements. The study outlines three key qualities that lead the community to choose the mosque as the most important public space: 1) convenient access, 2) comfortable and clean, and 3) social aspects. This paper concludes on how these findings contribute to the improvement of quality of life, social interaction and social cohesion to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
W. (Bill) Wei ◽  
Hanneke Heerema ◽  
Rebecca Rushfeld ◽  
Ida van der Lee

Cultural heritage professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of care being taken by municipalities for their cultural heritage objects which include works of art in public places. They have therefore begun to ask the public to help take care of “their” cultural heritage through so-called public participation projects. Cultural heritage professionals tacitly assume that if they “teach” the public to treasure such objects of “their” heritage, the public will become more proactive in helping to conserve them. However, research being conducted by the authors is showing that a majority of the general public often has a completely different awareness and/or feeling about cultural heritage objects in their neighborhoods than the cultural heritage professionals think they have, or think they should have. Three recent case studies carried out by the authors show that these differences are most noticeable during so-called “value moments” at the beginning and at the perceived end of an object’s life. These are the two moments when decisions are made, usually by cultural heritage professionals, to place an object in a neighborhood or have it significantly changed or removed, often to the surprise and disagreement of the residents. Between these two moments lay many moments when an object is taken for granted, grudgingly accepted, or not even noticed. Given the fact that cultural heritage professionals often make the ultimate decisions and do not always consider or outright ignore public opinion, it should not be surprising that there is an increasingly negative public perception of what they do. The results of the case studies illustrate the need for professionals to consider and accept as valid, public feelings about cultural heritage objects in their neighborhoods.


Author(s):  
Ahmad M. Kamal ◽  
Jacquelyn Burkell

Psychological uncertainty is established in LIS models, but epistemic and aleatory uncertainties remain absent. We critically review the concept of uncertainty in LIS and beyond. Presenting a new framework on uncertainty for LIS, we suggest new approaches to more fully address the uncertain world we and our subjects inhabit.L’incertitude psychologique est un modèle établi en science de l’information, mais l’incertitude épistémique et l’incertitude aléatoire demeurent absentes. La communication propose une revue critique du concept d’incertitude en science de l’information et dans d’autres disciplines. En présentant un nouveau cadre conceptuel relatif à l’incertitude en science de l’information, nous suggérons de nouvelles approches pour mieux aborder le monde incertain dans lequel nous et nos sujets habitons. ***Full paper in the Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science***


Author(s):  
David Jank

Research agendas in human-information interaction (HII) are varied and divergent. The interdisciplinary lens of information studies offers a convergent view of HII scholarship. The purpose of this paper is to taxonomically document the divergent scholarship in human-information interaction, and construct a unifying ontology of HII discourse, using bibliometric techniques.Les programmes de recherche en matière d'interaction homme-information sont variés et divergents. L'interdisciplinarité des sciences de l'information offre toutefois un portrait convergent de la mission professorale en matière d'interaction homme-information. L'objectif de la recherche est de documenter du point de vue taxinomique les divergences de la mission d'enseignement de l'interaction homme-information et de construire une ontologie unifiée du discours au moyen de techniques bibliométriques.***Student to CAIS/ACSI Award Winner******Full paper in the Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science***


Per Musi ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Mauro Amazonas ◽  
Thais Castro ◽  
João Gustavo Kienen ◽  
Rosiane Freitas ◽  
Bruno Gadelha

Urban public art is an art exhibition held in public places, contextualized with their surroundings and its audience. Technology is a significant trend in public art due to its connection possibilities with human life, fostering different kinds of interaction. In this way, this work presents an installation proposal consisting of an environment for creating collaborative random music from interaction with mobile devices in public spaces. Everyone participating in the installation is a composer and interaction is a chance agent, although it follows John Cage's composition methods. In order to probe technology, we carried out two pilot studies, followed by a workshop for the installation itself. Those two pilot studies led us to a new version that was put into practice during the workshop. During the workshop, participants' interaction generated fourteen compositions, and the sounds resulting from the collaborative composition were made available to the public through a website.


Author(s):  
Victoria L. Rubin ◽  
Patrick T. Gavin ◽  
Ahmad M. Kamal

Being innovative is a popular but ambiguous maxim in LIS. To elucidate how institutions use, and what they mean by the concept, we examine white literature and survey website features of 160 libraries across US and Canada. We identify patterns in the language and ethos of modern innovative librarianship.Être novateur est une maxime populaire bien qu’ambigüe en science de l’information. Pour mieux comprendre comment les institutions l’utilisent et quelle est la signification du concept, nous avons analysé les documents officiels et le contenu des sites Web de 160 bibliothèques aux États-Unis et au Canada. Sont identifiés des modèles d’utilisation langagière et l’ethos de la bibliothéconomie moderne novatrice. ***Full paper in the Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science***


Author(s):  
Dana Ouellette

This paper reports on the results of an ongoing user-centered research project investigating student use and perception of subject guides in academic libraries. Preliminary results suggest that although students rarely use subject guides, they might if subject guides were specifically optimized for the way students actually use them.Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude en cours sur l’utilisation des guides thématiques par les étudiants et les perceptions qu’ils en ont, dans les bibliothèques universitaires. Les résultats préliminaires suggèrent que malgré une utilisation plutôt rare, les étudiants les utiliseraient davantage si les guides thématiques étaient adaptés à l’utilisation réelle qu’ils en font. ***Full paper in the Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science***


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Cañamares ◽  
Silvia Angeletti

Abstract This paper focuses on the use of the full-face veil in the public sphere, discussing the standpoint adopted by some local authorities in Spain and Italy and the content of different proposals that have been submitted to Parliament in both countries, aimed at restricting the use of this garment in public places. The doctrine of the ECtHR in S.A.S. v. France will be taken as a benchmark for a comparative study of this issue in both Mediterranean countries. It is assumed that from a legal approach the wearing of burqa is a very complex question that requires a detailed analysis of the different elements involved, including its social implications before giving it an enduring solution. A general ban can be detrimental for the goal of integration, and give way to new forms of discrimination. Therefore, prior to enacting any legislation that could affect fundamental rights, it should be considered what public interests are in real need of protection.


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