Looking for the Intersection: Public Libraries, Adult Literacy and Homelessness

Homelessness is a problem which has proven resistant to both short-term solutions and to efforts to address root causes. Illiteracy may be a major factor, yet few studies have addressed how a library\u27s mission to promote reading intersects with the informational needs of adults experiencing homelessness. An understanding of literacy as more than a set of reading skills may help to guide librarians who wish to fully implement ALA\u27s standard of facilitating access to information for all, including marginalized patrons and those who not read well. As public libraries respond to questions about their continued relevance in a digital age, an understanding of how libraries can contribute to solutions to community social needs, including homelessness, may help to broaden community support for more extensive and more inclusive library programming

Lund critical library studies – A new research group

We argue that there is a need for a more elaborate and sophisticated discussion of if, and then how, the public library fulfils its social role to contribute to democracy. Therefore, we have formed the Lund Critical Library Studies group with a shared interest of contributing to a more nuanced and rich discussion about public libraries. This allows us to engage in discussions on how the library can be a space where diverse people come together and debate dissimilar views on shared matters. We advocate the public library not by indiscriminately embracing it, but by critically examining how it is performed and discussing alternatives. In this paper, we will indicate some pathways that we previously have followed and also point out future directions that we want to pursue

Justify or die? - using contingent valuation of service provision in a UK public library

The public library service in the UK is currently under pressure to justify its existence. An Audit Commission report suggested that if current borrowing rates for libraries continue into the future, libraries would be effectively issuing no books by 2020. Recently the Coates Report asserted about book loans that, "in simple terms, if a service is without separate charge and the public decides not to use it, then the service is de facto without any value to these individuals". Yet Coates' simplistic notions of the services public libraries provide lies at the heart of the problem. Performance indicators based on book loans are unable to assess 'the totality of library effectiveness'. Conversely, qualitative analysis, interviewing users about service impact, shows that libraries 'promote social cohesion and community confidence'. However qualitative findings are by nature not quantitative and not comparable. To try to produce a measure for service quality, contingent valuation was chosen. It elicits economic value judgements from users on both services they use and services they do not use. A major independent study using contingent valuation was conducted by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Strathclyde on East Renfrewshire Library Services, near Glasgow, which is recognised as an exemplary public library service. The study revealed the inability of contingent valuation to adequately assess the complex mix of services provided. The study concludes that an urgent rethink is required regarding measures for public library service evaluation

Badging the library: are digital badges the next innovation for library skills and training?

Libraries are frequently at the forefront of innovation and uniquely positioned to develop and deliver new technologies. This paper evaluates the benefits of one such innovation, digital badges. It will explore how badges can be applied in the library and higher education environment by examining the potential of badges to provide verified credentials to students for completing ‘soft skills’ programs, using a case study from the Australian National University. The paper will discuss the challenges involved in implementing a cohesive credential issuing system within a university and suggest areas for future investigation on digital credentials will be explored.Office of Teaching and Learning, The Australian National Universit

Competence-based learning and societal awareness: Building up experiences within the discipline of interior architecture

By means of the bachelor proof, students of interior architecture of the University of Antwerp (Faculty of Design Sciences) are stimulated to design interiors for real-life public libraries in view of particular societal challenges. During three subsequent years the teaching staff elaborated a set of learning objectives and activities that jointly form a competence-based learning process focussed on the development of the societal awareness of design students. In this paper we report on the intermediate experiences of the teachning staff and the students as indicated by a set of mainly qualitative data. In short it concerns four lessons learned relating to the over- and underestimation of (i) disciplinary filters, (ii) comfort-zones, (iii) motivating complexities and (iv) copy-cat behavior.[EN]http://ocs.editorial.upv.es/index.php/HEAD/HEAD18Vallet, N.; Somers, I.; Corthaut, M. (2018). Competence-based learning and societal awareness: Building up experiences within the discipline of interior architecture. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 451-459. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD18.2018.8012OCS45145

The role of Libraries in Cultural Centres Abroad: an insight

This research paper sets up a typology of libraries managed by cultural centres abroad. Nearly 2,200 libraries linked to a dozen of different cultural organizations provide not only traditional services such as loan and access to printed and audiovisual materials but they also approach local citizens, offering help and services in matters of education, literacy, cooperation, social issues or development. These actions may fit under the label of cultural diplomacy actions. This paper analyses the relevance of those cultural centres and offers a classification through a table including networks of institutions of the thirty most significant cultural centres worldwide

The role of libraries in cultural centres Abroad: an insight

This research paper sets up a typology of libraries managed by cultural centres abroad. Nearly 2,200 libraries linked to a dozen of different cultural organizations provide not only traditional services such as loan and access to printed and audiovisual materials but they also approach local citizens, offering help and services in matters of education, literacy, cooperation, social issues or development. These actions may fit under the label of cultural diplomacy actions. This paper analyses the relevance of those cultural centres and offers a classification through a table including networks of institutions of the thirty most significant cultural centres worldwide

The role of libraries in cultural centres Abroad: an insight

This research paper sets up a typology of libraries managed by cultural centres abroad. Nearly 2,200 libraries linked to a dozen of different cultural organizations provide not only traditional services such as loan and access to printed and audiovisual materials but they also approach local citizens, offering help and services in matters of education, literacy, cooperation, social issues or development. These actions may fit under the label of cultural diplomacy actions. This paper analyses the relevance of those cultural centres and offers a classification through a table including networks of institutions of the thirty most significant cultural centres worldwide

An empirical study on Public Libraries of Kalimpong

This paper is an attempt to examine the present status and position of Government and Government sponsored public libraries in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal in terms of their establishments, membership patterns, physical facilities, staff strength, their collections, organizations, services and computer facilities etc. A total of 30 structured questionnaires were distributed among the Public Libraries across this hilly area and all the questionnaires were duly obtained with a response rate of 100%. Based on the findings the study suggests some recommendations for building functional and sound public libraries for providing effective and efficient library services to the hill community

Smart Society Development through the Initiation of New Library Infrastructure Development in Gowa Regency

This research discusses the Gowa Regency Government's initiative to build a new library infrastructure as a step towards developing a smart society. In this ever-evolving information age, libraries are places to read books and knowledge centers that support digital literacy and intellectual growth. Data was collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The analytical tool that is maximized is Nvivo 12 Plus. The research results show that constructing a new library infrastructure has increased people's access to digital knowledge and literacy. Inclusive design has enabled the participation of all walks of life, while digital library services have expanded the range of educational resources. Government coordination has also supported efficiency in project implementation. However, low digital literacy and data privacy protection require further attention. This research provides an in-depth look at how library infrastructure development can contribute to developing a smart society, with particular attention to the still-needed improvements