Corralling culture as a concept in LIS research

Individuals' cultural backgrounds influence their use of societal resources, including libraries. A literature search and review was completed on the treatment of culture in library and information science (LIS) in the body of work on information behaviour and use. While much of the literature reviewed cites culture as an important influence, few researchers define culture as a concept, nor do they explore in detail the factors that it comprises. In this body of work culture is primarily used in two ways: (a) to differentiate groups of library users; and (b) to draw attention to questions of integration.</p

Palaces for the People: Mapping Public Libraries\u27 Capacity for Social Connection and Inclusion

Public libraries are trusted community hubs that foster connections with individuals of different socioeconomic statuses; ages; ethnic, linguistic, religious, and cultural backgrounds; and sexual and gender identities. Located in diverse settings, library branches offer resources and programs that meet the specific needs of their communities who are navigating the effects of our increasingly asocial society. Libraries have been shown to cater to individuals contending with higher levels of social isolation and loneliness, as well as increased rates of mental illnesses and antisocial behaviours. The shift to online environments during COVID-19 has exacerbated feelings of disconnection. During these times of change, public libraries facilitate resilience, helping communities withstand and adapt to difficult circumstances. While several individual studies have separately examined libraries’ outreach efforts, what remains unknown is the broader knowledge landscape regarding public library practices, spaces, and activities that collectively create and reinforce social connections in an increasingly asocial society. We examined scholarly literature to answer the following questions to to bridge existing knowledge gaps: How do public libraries help patrons create or maintain connections in their communities? What population groups are included in public library research and in what ways are they differently impacted by public library services, materials, and/or spaces? How are public library virtual programming and services (especially prominent during COVID-19) changing the ways in which patrons engage with public libraries? In what ways does the Canadian public library research landscape compare or differ from that in European and Australasia countries, and what lessons can we glean from these differences?Underlying a majority of the included articles is an acknowledgement that the role of public libraries is changing, from operating as information repositories to now also operating as community hubs. The ways in which public library systems and branches engage with their communities and patrons are therefore also shifting. Focusing in particular on the current state of public library-related research knowledge on issues related to growing feelings of disconnection, isolation and loneliness, articles explored the multiple ways in which public libraries afford connection for and among their patrons. Public libraries draw on their spaces, their staff, their collections and materials, their programs, and relationships with community organizations to bolster feelings of connection. Given the distribution of public libraries across the country, in urban and rural locales and in neighbourhoods of high and low poverty, the ways in which public libraries both connect with and provide connection manifest differently depending on their contexts. Research on this topic is indicative of the many different population groups that public libraries engage with and support on a daily basis. Research focuses on a myriad of population groups, including: children, youth, older adults, parents, unhoused populations, differently abled individuals, immigrants and non-permanent residents, among others. This breadth of population groups, each with their own unique circumstances, needs, and expectations, is indicative of the range of factors and contexts library workers need to consider and incorporate in their programs, collections, arrangement of physical and virtual spaces, and administration. Across published research, public libraries fostered connection through the following means: Encouraging feelings of belonging Creating connections through technology Reinforcing cultural identities Creating safe physical spaces Addressing issues of accessibility Creating new educational programming Creating new recreational/social programmin

Investigating the ‘why’ rather than the ‘how’: current research priorities on the influence of culture on new-comer populations’ use of public libraries

Introduction - Library researchers are often concerned with the factors that affect individual use of public library resources. To date, culture as a determinant of public library use has not been fully explored across all public library populations. Method - As preparation for a larger study, a literature review on the information behaviours, and the use of public library resources, by new-comer populations was completed. This output was based on a literature search on commercial databases and Google Scholar. Thematic concept mapping surfaced relevant seams of extant literature of interest to the broader study. Results - Much of the literature cites socio-cultural/cultural factors as important influences on resource use in public libraries. However, few articulate these factors in detail, nor define their relationship to information behaviour and use. In addition, consideration of new-comer populations is often absent in these analyses. Conclusion - There is a case for further investigation on the influence of culture on newcomer populations’ use of public libraries. It is anticipated that improved understanding in this domain will help determine improved public library provision for new-comer populations

Inequalities in the Common European Asylum System: The role of Greek libraries as information resources in the midst of asylum system shortcomings

Historically, the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) has proven challenging for the member states on the periphery of the EU – the same member states that are currently experiencing high volumes of asylum seekers. This inability to address the needs of these member states was particularly highlighted in 2015, when Greece burst at the seams from asylum seekers arriving on their shores. To be sure, to date the CEAS has failed Greece, who was unprepared in infrastructure and procedure. With that in mind, and as Europe continues to share the ‘refugee burden’, stymieing migrant flows by any means, Greece represents an illuminating case for examining the competence and effect of this EU-wide asylum system. To that end, in Part I, this thesis completes a textual analysis and historical review of the Common European Asylum System and national policies in Greece. This analysis will address the root cause of the CEAS shortcomings and, with the addition of comparing asylum application data between 2008-2015 to directive and regulation transposition, how national policies transposed it as a result. Findings reveal CEAS’s shortcomings are rooted in its institutional design, creating formation issues. Additionally, finding reveal CEAS’s failure to consider diverse needs (cultural, geographic, and economic) in the current migration crisis has led to implementation challenges. Collectively, CEAS’s shortcomings have created a void that has left more than 60,000 refugees in Greece alone without basic reception conditions or reliable means to apply for asylum. In large part, this void involves a lack of CEAS information resources and information professionals capable of assisting asylum seekers with the paperwork and process required to apply for asylum. Across Europe, this void is being filled by a variety of public service and non-governmental organizations assisting this at-risk population throughout their entire entrance process (asylum application, refugee relocation, and immigrant integration/assimilation). In particular, throughout Northern and Central Europe (i.e., Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, the UK, and France), public libraries are specifically filling this void by providing a variety of programming initiatives such as conversation based language learning, mentor sessions, increasing vernacular language materials, and assisting with asylum application information when able. As such, Part II of this thesis examines the role public libraries in Greece are currently playing in assisting refugees through any portion of the asylum process. As one of the largest reception countries in Europe, it was presumed Greece would offer similar services as those throughout Northern and Central Europe by utilizing their publically-funded libraries as safe public spaces for refugees. However, findings reveal that, unlike other parts of Europe, refugees do not regularly utilize the public library systems in Greece. I theorize this to be due to mainly three reasons related to geographic distance from detention centers, cultural differences regarding the use of public libraries, and cultural differences regarding the library’s responsibility to these types of patrons. Additionally, due to mandates from the EU as to how aid money should be allocated, severe financial misappropriation is evident in Greece (Howden and Fotiadis, 2017). The routine mishandling of funds exacerbates the resource shortage and creates a false front as to the level of assistance actually reaching asylum seekers. The incorrect presumption of enough aid resources followed by the revelation of this misappropriation no doubt discourages assistance in the future, perpetuating the stereotype that Greece is fiscally irresponsible. Financial misappropriation also consumes much-needed financial resources for other infrastructure projects in the major cities, while also creating an appearance that aid organizations are already filling resource voids since the money has been spent. This is one of many situations in which the lack of CEAS regulation generates a multitude of unforeseen and unintended consequences. This creates an environment in which information resources are scarce and/or inaccessible, and in which libraries now operate to fill this void as a consequence of CEAS shortcomings. This thesis research is the first step in understanding the effects CEAS challenges and shortcomings have had on the functioning of information institutions and professions in Greece in particular, and what this means for the future of librarianship in Europe. The unique and unfortunate set of circumstances surrounding the current migration situation also provide opportunity to learn about the information seeking needs of the at-risk populations impacted by the environment created by CEAS shortcomings, and how to apply the lessons learned here to other instances of mobility, asylum system issues, and information voids

What are public libraries for? Culture as a determinant of conceptualizations of public library services for forced migrants

Public libraries offer important services for newcomer populations, including forced migrants. They help facilitate the integration of forced migrants into the host country, increase their levels of trust within new communities, and build social capital. To date, however, the determinants of forced migrant engagement with public library services has been left unexplored. Here the impact of culture on the conceptualizations of public library services, and the role of this on the adoption and use of public library services, is investigated using the Theory of Information Worlds. The analysis is based on data collected in semi-structured interviews with 30 UK service gatekeepers for forced migrants. Thematic analysis identified three conceptualizations of public library services as: (1) leisure services, that (2) offer information services, (3) as part of the larger system that includes other functions such as immigration and policing. These conceptualizations impact service use and, importantly, non-use. Further contributions of the work include the proposal that Maslow's (1943) Hierarchy of Needs may serve as a moderating variable for the five societal elements of the Theory of Information Worlds, and practical recommendations for public library staff keen to increase forced migrant engagement with the services that they offer

Ascertaining factors affecting church congregational affiliation among Anglophone Caribbean immigrants in South Florida

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2497/thumbnail.jp

An overview of the research evidence on ethnicity and communication in healthcare

• The aim of the present study was to identify and review the available research evidence on 'ethnicity and communication' in areas relevant to ensuring effective provision of mainstream services (e.g. via interpreter, advocacy and translation services); provision of services targeted on communication (e.g. speech and language therapy, counselling, psychotherapy); consensual/ participatory activities (e.g. consent to interventions), and; procedures for managing and planning for linguistic diversity

Open Society Institute - 2001 Annual Report

Contains mission statement, president's message, financial information, grants list, and information on international initiatives in the areas of law, justice, and human rights; arts and culture; public health; and education, information, and media