A Unique Development Road of Urban Public Libraries of China

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-71
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Wanfen Zou ◽  
Xiangen Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Library Culture

Since its debut seven years ago, Pudong Library of Shanghai has been committed to promoting reading and providing services that benefit that all. It provides new reading experiences, explores institutional building and communication platforms in public library circles, while intensifying efforts at team-building and cultivating library culture. Moreover, Pudong Library devotes itself to exploring, on a micro-level, restructuring practices and innovative developments of urban public libraries. In doing so Pudong Library constructs its own paradigm of library management. The exploration and practice of Pudong Library is a fresh case and vivid example for the development of urban public libraries in China.

scholarly journals Subsídios para o planejamento estratégico em bibliotecas públicas: estudo de caso na Biblioteca Municipal de Palhoça/SC

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 386
Author(s):  
Jéssica Vilvert Klöppel ◽  
Daniela Spudeit
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Strategic Issues ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
The Town

Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar um diagnóstico ambiental que sirva de subsídio para um planejamento estratégico em bibliotecas públicas e nesse trabalho foi relatada a aplicação na Biblioteca Pública Municipal de Palhoça Guilherme Wiethorn Filho. Caracteriza-se como pesquisa aplicada, exploratória e descritiva por procurar interferir na realidade da unidade de informação e ser uma maneira de conhecer e descrever o objeto de estudo com profundidade. O tratamento dos dados foi feito de acordo com a análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin (2009), resultando na distribuição dos dados em seis categorias: função da Biblioteca Pública; gestão da Biblioteca; relação com a Prefeitura Municipal; estrutura física; acervo; e serviços. A partir do diagnóstico foi definido o mandato; a missão; os pontos fortes e fracos; as oportunidades e ameaças; as questões estratégicas; os obstáculos; e as propostas estratégicas adequadas. Ressalta-se a importância do planejamento estratégico para as bibliotecas públicas principalmente por conviverem com recursos limitados e atenderem um público heterogêneo com diversos perfis de usuários. Espera-se que esse trabalho sirva de referência para a construção de diretrizes e ações para outras bibliotecas públicas.AbstractThis study had the objective to perform an environmental diagnosis that serves as subsidy for a strategic planning in public libraries and in this work it was reported the application in the Guilherme Wiethorn Filho Palhoça Town Public Library. It is characterized as applied research, exploratory and descriptive for trying to interfere in the unit reality of information and for being a way to know and describe the object of study in depth. The data processing was done according to the content analysis proposed by Bardin (2009), resulting in the distribution of data in six categories: function of the Public Library; Library management; relationship with the Town Hall; infrastructure; Library collection; and services. From this diagnosis it was defined the mandate; the mission; the strong and weak points; the opportunities and threats; the strategic issues; the obstacles; and the appropriate strategic proposition. The work emphasizes the importance of strategic planning for public libraries mainly for having to maintain itself with limited resources and serve a heterogeneous public with diverse user profiles. It is the expectation that this work serves as a reference for the construction of guidelines and actions for other public libraries.KeywordsStrategic planning. Public libraries. Public libraries – Diagnosis

An Unbalanced and Inadequate Development of the Chinese Public Libraries’ Public Culture Services: An Investigation of 31 Senior Library Specialists

Libri ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Zhao ◽  
Yi Wan ◽  
Jiao Chun
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Cultural Products ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Internal Management ◽  
Public Library Management ◽  
Chinese Public

Abstract In response to the new principal contradiction between people’s growing needs for a better life and the inadequate and imbalanced development in different social fields in China, Chinese public libraries have fast developed Public Cultural Services (PCS) to meet users’ needs. This study investigates senior library specialists’ perspectives on unbalanced and inadequate development of Chinese public libraries’ PCS. The study collected data from 31 senior library specialists from 10 provinces or municipalities through online survey. In addition, eight experts from public libraries were also interviewed. The data reveals that the main roles of public libraries providing PCS include ensuring equal access to cultural resources, protecting cultural heritage, developing unique cultural products or service, and promoting public cultural products to ensure cultural diversity. Provincial and prefectural libraries take most of the PCS’ responsibilities while county, township, and village libraries’ responsibilities are less. Moreover, there is unbalanced development and inadequate development of library PCS in China. External factors such as economy development, government expenditure on cultural activities, and education development, and internal factors such as internal management weakness and libraries’ investment on cultural service are the top factors. This means that if Chinese public libraries want to better improve PCS, they should try to seek financial resource support and improve their internal management. This study is valuable for public library management and policymakers at different bureaucratic levels to understand issues of PCS in China. It also helps public libraries better learn their strengths and weaknesses in PCS.

Taxes for public libraries: Arguments about library district management from the perspective of residents

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110267
Author(s):  
Issei Suzuki ◽  
Masanori Koizumi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
Library Management

Economic pressure on public library budgets has risen since the late-20th century as government funding has declined. Under increasing financial pressure, creating a procedure for how public libraries can provide fulfilling services to residents is one of the essential issues in public library management. As a result, library districts are receiving much attention as a management model in response to financial deterioration of public sectors in the United States. Library districts are special-purpose local governments that have a tax levy and bond authority for library management. Recent studies have demonstrated that library districts’ revenues are more stable over the long term than those of other legal bases, such as general-purpose local governments and non-profit organizations in the United States. However, it is not easy to form a library district because it involves a tax increase for residents. Nevertheless, the number of library districts has increased since the late-20th century. Why do voters allow a tax levy for library management? In this study, we examined the opinions of residents through a qualitative content analysis, using the voters’ pamphlets distributed to residents at the time of the referendum for forming the library district. Specifically, we analyzed opinions of both voters in favor and opposed to creating a library district and identified their preferences. Our research results showed that residents held a common understanding of the significance of public libraries in the community. The debate revolved around how much burden the residents were willing to accept to provide library services.

scholarly journals Buwayhid Library and its Management: A Historical Analysis

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63
Author(s):  
ATM Shamsuzzoha
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Persian Literature ◽  
New Era ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Administrative Functions ◽  
Modern System ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Islamic Civilization

Like the ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Roman library, Muslim library has been introduced from the early age of Islam in demand of time. In the meantime, the emergence of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm.) had started a new era of knowledge and science in Islam. From the very beginning of Islamic civilization many institutions were established and renowned intellectuals and scholars of different fields were associated with those institutions. They made various worthy researches for the development of Muslim knowledge and sciences, in badly need of many libraries. So after several years when the Muslims came closer to the Persian literature and Greek sciences the Islamic library started its journey in the 7th century. So, for the acquisition of knowledge Muslim library has been initiated from the very beginning of Islamic heritage which was started with the mosque though formally introduced by the Baitul Hikmah, by Abbasid khalifa Al-Mamun (813-833). Gradually by the expansion of Islam it was circulated in various countries of the world. In these process Buwayhid ruler came closer to the Abbasid and taught the process of establishing various royal, private and public library. After the inception of royal library the Buwayhid introduced various important functions such as, collection of books, preservation system, translation, cataloguing, inclusion and clarification of the books. Besides these, recruitment, promotion, management of archives and modern system of budgeting were also salient features of their library management. The present study is an attempt to analyze the nature of the Buwayhid royal, private and public libraries. The study will also cover exclusively its library management and its various administrative functions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12120 Eastern Librarian Vol.23(1) 2012 pp.51-63

Power Relationships of Public Library Management Outsourcing in the United States

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Hill
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Public Library Management

Privately managed public libraries are a newer phenomenon in the United States. A critical discourse analysis of the decision making process, encapsulated by the discourse in the progression of contracting documents and public discourse surrounding the phenomenon, provided a way to explore ideas of power and hegemony. Les bibliothèques publiques à gestion privée constituent un phénomène nouveau aux États-Unis. Une analyse critique du discours du processus décisionnel, incarné par la progression du discours d'impartition des documents et par le discours public au sujet du phénomène, offre un moyen d'explorer les idées de pouvoir et d'hégémonie. 

Inter-library comparisons: a report on progress, with particular reference to public libraries

1981 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Talyor Harrington ◽  
R.M.L. Carruthers ◽  
M. Moffat
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Development Work ◽  
British Library ◽  
Library Management ◽  
The Public ◽  
Brief Assessment ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Statistical Surveys ◽  
General Statistical

This paper describes comparative studies, an aspect of library management in which there is growing interest. The paper is in three Parts. The first outlines in general terms the objectives of 'interfirm' or 'inter-organisation' comparisons for management. It refers to some important features of effective comparisons, and distinguishes between 'true' interfirm comparisons and general statistical surveys. Part 2 describes the programme of work so far undertaken in the development of inter-library comparisons as a man agement tool. The stages of this work (funded by the British Library R & D Department) are described, together with the findings which emerged as the work progressed. Part 2 ends with a brief assessment of the results of the public library 'pilot' comparison, which involved 27 library systems, and describes plans for further action in this field. Reference is also made to the substantial development work undertaken in 1980 relating to comparisons for academic libraries; and to the possibility of future development work relating to special libraries. The third Part describes the scope and con tent of the main ('pilot') comparison so far undertaken for public libraries; examples of the format of the results of that comparison are given in the Appendices.

scholarly journals El espacio como prioridad en los modelos de gestión de las bibliotecas públicas

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Lázaro-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Research Laboratory ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Control ◽  
University Libraries ◽  
Library Management ◽  
The Public ◽  
Management Models ◽  
Library As Place

Una de las principales virtudes de los estudios de satisfacción de personas usuarias en bibliotecas es que sitúan el foco de las acciones de evaluación para la mejora precisamente en lo que dichas personas creen y estiman que es necesario mejorar. Si se acepta que la persona usuaria es lo más valioso de una biblioteca, dichos estudios adquieren definitivamente un valor incuestionable a tener en cuenta en los modelos de gestión de las bibliotecas. Con todo, en esta comunicación se presentan los resultados e implicaciones de estudios de satisfacción de personas usuarias llevados a cabo por el laboratorio de investigación Secaba-Lab. Se parte de las conclusiones alcanzadas en estudios a bibliotecas universitarias y, desde ahí, se presentan los resultados del estudio llevado a cabo a la biblioteca pública de Jovellanos (Gijón) en 2017. Las conclusiones son claras: de acuerdo a la valoración de las personas usuarias, la dimensión sobre la que más se desea mejora es la de la biblioteca como espacio frente a las del valor afectivo del servicio y el control de la información. Desde ahí, se plantea y se reflexiona en torno a la necesidad de incluir las implicaciones de dichas conclusiones en los modelos de gestión en bibliotecas públicas, situando a la dimensión de a biblioteca como espacio como eje vertebral prioritario en los futuros modelos de gestión. [The main characteristic of the studies about libraries and user’s satisfaction is that the focus for the evaluation is placed on what the users believe it is needed to improve. If it is accepted that the user is the essence of libraries, user’s satisfaction studies acquire an unquestionable value to be taken into account for the library management models. In this communication are shown both the results and implications of user’s satisfaction studies carried out by the Secaba-Lab research laboratory. All is based in the conclusions reached in several studies carried out in university libraries and the results of the study carried out in the public library of Jovellanos (Gijón). According to the users, libraries need to improve the dimension of the library as place rather than the affect of service and the information control. Thus, it is needed to include the implications of those conclusions in the management models for public libraries, placing the dimension of the library as place as the priority to improve the quality of libraries.]

Settling in: how newcomers use a public library

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 583-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Shepherd ◽  
Larissa Petrillo ◽  
Allan Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how recent immigrants and refugees to Canada (“newcomers”) use the facilities of a large, urban public library. As the library previously surveyed the general user population, the responses to the two surveys can be compared. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were administered as patrons were leaving Surrey Libraries Branches to adult public library members who self-identified as newcomers who arrived in Canada within the previous ten years. Findings The pattern of library use by newcomers differed from that of the general population. They visited more frequently and stayed longer. Newcomers were heavier users of library services and used a wider range of services. They used the library branch as a public place. The library provided them with a place to study, read or meet other people. Research limitations/implications The study was exploratory. The small sample size and the data collection process do not allow extrapolation to the underlying population. Practical implications Recent newcomers often have similar informational, psychological and social needs. Public libraries can play a role in assisting newcomers during their adjustment process. Originality/value Researchers worked closely with library management to develop questions based on decision usefulness. An earlier in-house study allowed comparisons to be made between branch use by newcomers and general library users. Canadian studies into government policy, along with immigrant and refugee studies, provide context for the survey results.

Surpassing the business model: a public sphere approach to public library management

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 404-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Koizumi ◽  
Michael M. Widdersheim
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Shared Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Management ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Public Library Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the characteristics of the public sphere with those of a shared value approach and better understand the value that public libraries can offer to management theory. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses two methods. First, this study uses a systematic literature review to identify sources relevant to shared value and the public sphere in public libraries. Next, this study uses comparative theoretical analysis using data gathered from the systematic review to analyse the two theories. Findings This study successfully describes the similarities and differences between “shared value” and the “public sphere in public libraries”. Originality/value This study elucidates public library innovation from the perspectives of library management and the public sphere concept.

User perception on library services and information resources in Kenyan Public Libraries

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles N. Nzivo
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Management ◽  
Fundamental Information ◽  
Kenya National Library Service ◽  
Search For Information

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide information on how public libraries and information services in Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) are perceived, by examining adult users, with a view of improving service delivery and enhancing the effective management of public library services.Design/methodology/approachSurvey methodology using questionnaires was adopted to solicit required information from 112 respondent adult users and data were analyzed using SPSS version 14.FindingsThe paper shows that KNLS library services and information resources are very positively perceived by most respondents. KNLS libraries are: comparatively better off than universities and other public libraries; are predominantly focused on print documents (books) as preferred sources; readers' mostly begin their search for information on a particular topic; general reading and research purposes and information resources equip users with appropriate knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on adult users in internet‐serviced libraries within the KNLS and thus may not be used to generalize about users of all public libraries in Kenya.Practical implicationsThis paper attempts to provide KNLS public libraries with fundamental information about adult users' perspectives of services and information resources. Though the services and information resources are positively perceived, the library management has room to improve and maintain current levels of perception.Originality/valueThe paper is of value because understanding of users' perceptions is vital for services and information resource improvement.

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