User Studies in Connection with the Development of a Decentralized Library Network

This paper examines the development of university departmental libraries in Scandinavia, and traces the influence of the German seminar libraries. This has led to the establishment of a number of library networks. Financial restraints have resulted in a number of studies of departmental library networks, with a view to possible rationalization. This paper describes studies of the attitudes of library users, at Chalmers University, towards computerization of literature resources and cooperation between the main library and the departmental libraries. It was shown that users were apprehensive of centralization and negative to any increase in administrative processes. At the same time computerization of literature resources was regarded positively. In view of these attitudes, and the increasing availability of computer equipment on the campus, it was suggested that the development of a coordinated decentralized library network based on the needs of users, could lead to considerable rationalization in the handling of literature resources at Chalmers

End-User Training in the Use of a Small Swedish Database

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Cooperation in Library User Education

The aim of this paper is to examine which areas of user education are particularly suitable for interlibrary cooperation. Goals and objectives for user education are described. Examples of cooperative projects are given: the SCONUL project, the travelling workshop experiment, and multimedia program mes for on-line information retrieval. Clearing houses for information on library user education projects are then surveyed. Finally, possible areas for future cooperative projects are discussed

Information Services in Science and Technology - The Swedish Consortium Model for Resource Sharing

This paper describes a \u27new\u27 idea for national resource sharing - called the Consortium Model - which has grown out of current discussions on sectororiented library and information services of the Fachinformationszentrum type. The Consortium is a \u27network\u27 consisting of the six major resource libraries in Science and Technology in Sweden, which jointly aim to provide a national information service with regard to literature holdings, reference services, database promotion and use, document supply, and education and training. Services are available to both the academic community, and to industrial and other \u27external\u27 users such as governmental and parastatal organizations and research institutes. The historical background is briefly described. Circumstances and arguments in favour of the Consortium Model, and the conventional idea of the disadvantages of national focal points in the Swedish context are presented in some detail. The aims of the Consortium are stated, together with the various services for information provision. Ideas basic to an information policy for Science and Technology are briefly indicated

The Development of a Programme of User Education at Chalmers University of Technology Library.

This thesis describes the case history of the development of a programme of user education at Chalmers University of Technology Library, Gothenburg, Sweden. It was shown, by means of user studies, that there was a need for instruction in the use of the library and its resources. The needs of student library users, as seen by students, academic staff, administrative staff, engineers and library staff, were studied. These views were used in the formulation of goals and objectives for the programme of user education. A three stage programme was drawn up: 1. Orientation for new users. 2. An introductory course in information retrieval for undergraduates. 3. An advanced course in information retrieval for postgraduates. Teaching methods and media were chosen for the various parts of the programme. Priority was given to the development of the introductory course in information retrieval for undergraduates and to library orientation, as these would reach the largest group of potential library users. The undergraduate course was evaluated in a number of ways, as part of the formative process development, and in order to provide information on the product of the instruction. Modifications were made in the course, and these have resulted in a model which now functions very well. It has been shown that, by taking account of student needs, a successful course of library instruction, integrated into the general pattern of university studies, can be developed. This course is now attended by practically all the undergraduate students at the university. One of the most important points arising from this work is that library user education is not an isolated function at the library. It needs to be integrated both into the general pattern of university studies and into the other functions and activities at the library