Lessons learned: Transformation in der Transformation

Die Landesbibliothek Schleswig-Holstein wird derzeit zu einem Zentrum für Digitalisierung und Kultur umgebaut. Die Massnahmen während der Coronakrise stärken einerseits diese Entwicklung, andererseits zeigen sie deutlich die fundamentale Bedeutung der Bibliotheken für die Gesellschaft und für die Bürgerinnen und Bürger, die dort Orte der Begegnung (Dritte Orte) finden, wo sie Themen diskutieren und ihr Wissen erweitern können. Der Artikel zieht ein erstes Fazit. The State Library of Schleswig-Holstein is currently being developed into a centre for digitisation and culture. On the one hand, the measures taken during the Corona crisis are strengthening this development, on the other hand they clearly show the fundamental importance of libraries for society and the importance of citizens finding meeting places (third places) to discuss topics and expand knowledge. The article draws a first conclusion

Endstation Fitnessstudio? Die Situation der britischen Bibliotheken im Nachhall der Finanzkrise

Der Artikel beleuchtet die Sparmassnahmen in Grossbritannien seit Ausbruch der Finanzkrise 2008 und ihre Auswirkungen auf das Bibliothekswesen. Nach der Regierungsübernahme der Konservativen Partei 2010 wurde ein rigoroses Sparprogramm initiiert, das die verschiedenen Bibliothekstypen in unterschiedlichem Maße betraf: Für die kommunal finanzierten Public Libraries hatten sie verheerende, teils existenzielle Auswirkungen, die Nationalbibliotheken waren ebenfalls stark, wenn auch unterschiedlich betroffen. Die Universitätsbibliotheken hingegen kamen etwas besser durch die Krise, vor allem weil ihre Trägerorganisationen die fehlenden staatlichen Mittel durch die Erhöhung von Studiengebühren ausgleichen konnten. The article analyzes the impact of the Austerity Programme on the different types of libraries of the United Kingdom, initiated by the Conservative Party in 2010. For the Public Libraries it had severe consequences that resulted in closings in many cases. While the development of the National Libraries wasn’t totally equal, they suffered budget cuttings and staff reduction as well, while the University Libraries went through the crisis quite unharmed, mainly because their mother organizations managed to compensate cuttings of public funding by raising tuition fees

Umgang mit Sparprogrammen in öffentlichen Verwaltungen der Schweiz

In öffentlichen Verwaltungen der Schweiz und ihren internen und angegliederten Betrieben werden hin und wieder Sparprogramme durchgeführt. Als Teil der öffentlichen Verwaltung Kanton Basel-Stadt wird exemplarisch für die Universitätsbibliothek Basel aufgezeigt, welche Optimierungsmethoden beim Umgang mit einem allfälligen Sparprogramm in Frage kommen könnten. Es sind Optimierungsmethoden, welche im Hinblick auf die Einführung des „Neuen Führungsmodells Bund 2017 (NFB 17)“ bei der Schulung von höheren Kadern der Bundesverwaltung von 2013 bis 2016 prioritär zu Grunde gelegt wurden. In Swiss public administrations and their organizational units, savings programs may be implemented from time to time. As part of the public administration of Basel, the Basel University Library was chosen to show examples of which methods could be considered for a potential savings program. These methods were given priority with regard to the introduction of the “Neues Führungsmodell Bund 2017 (NFB 17)” in the training of senior cadres of the Federal Administration from 2013 to 2016

In Open Access’s Long Shadow – A view from the Humanities

Historians have been in recent years among the most vocal critics against open access to scientific literature. Discussing the controversies they have triggered in Europe and in the USA, we argue that research on open access should be broadened chronologically and thematically. The first section recalls the very first debate on open access that took place among library professionals at the turn of the XXth century and points similarities with the present situation. The second section reviews the criticisms levelled by humanities disciplines against mandatory regulations on open access. The third section argues that the potential of open access for science democratization and knowledge dissemination may not be taken for granted and need further empirical assessment

The legal implications of providing information services in PUL in Kenya

This is a research paper on Public University Libraries (PULs) which are charged with the responsibility of providing the university community with information for the parent institutions’ core activities of teaching, learning, study and research. In carrying out this responsibility, PULs have to address issues of law as these relate to the provision of information services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the legal implications of providing information services in public university libraries in Kenya. The study applied the qualitative methodology but also used a limited application of quantitative approach with issues of statistical significance. Basing on a sample of 77 librarians from public universities libraries, data was collected and analyzed using the narrative method. The study established the actual and potential implications of laws that support information (UDHR, CK, FOI, IFLA and WSIS declarations) and those that put limits to information (Copyright law, penal code, Official Secrets Act). Although librarians were knowledgeable and had skills regarding their work, evidence from the study showed that they needed to extend their knowledge and understanding in the area of laws that have implications on the provision of information as a way of enhancing their work. In conclusion the paper notes that there is scope for librarians, using their wealth of knowledge and expertise, to seek interaction with policy makers and make relevant and useful contribution on law and information. These findings are significant in that they give general direction with regard to law and the provision of information services. The research highlights the importance for librarians to create links with policy makers in order to set up a relationship with mutual benefits

Measuring the Societal Impact of Research with Altmetrics: An Experiment

All research at Dutch universities is assessed on a regular basis following the Standard Evaluation Protocol (SEP). From 2015 onwards, one of the protocol’s criteria for measuring research success is the societal impact of the research. As traditional metrics do not provide an indication of public reach and influence, the African Studies Centre in Leiden (ASCL) decided to experiment with the new suite of alternative metrics – altmetrics – that measure the number of times a research output is viewed, downloaded or mentioned online. I analyzed the presence of altmetric indicators in 148 publications using Altmetric.com and evaluated the content that Altmetric.com tracked. This paper describes the ASCL Altmetric experiment and reports on its results