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Libraries in Operation
LIS 505Introduction to Library &
Information StudiesJanuary 25, 2010
Objectives To appreciate some different definitions of a
library. Exactly what is a library?
To understand what takes place in a typical library to enable information services to be offered to users.
To become aware of current trends affecting libraries.
To identify and examine different types of libraries.
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What is a Library? Shorter Oxford English Dictionary
(1973)
“A place set apart to contain books for reading, study or reference.” (Same definition found in Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Ed. 1989)
“The books contained in a library; a large collection of books.”
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What is a library? Some more definitions . . .
“Keepers of books, keepers of print and paper on the shelves…keepers also of the records of the human spirit.” (Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of Congress, 1941)
“A collection of people whose aggregate function is that of acquiring, organizing and disseminating knowledge and/or entertainment.” (B. Shuman, 1992)
“. . . a place that contains collections and staff dedicated to selecting, acquiring, making accessible, and preserving those collections and to providing services (assistance and instruction) that enable the optimal use of those collections.” (M. Gorman, 1998)
“…we assert that the library is, at root, a collection of information selected for use of, and made useable for, a particular community…That is, proverbially like politics, all collections are local.” Keller, Reich, Herkovic (2003) 4
What is a Library? (ODLIS) http://lu.com/odlis/index.cfm
From the Latin liber, meaning "book" . . . A collection or group of collections of books and/or other print or non-print materials organized and maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc.). Institutional libraries, organized to facilitate access by a specific clientele, are staffed by librarians and other personnel trained to provide services to meet user needs. By extension, the room, building, or facility that houses such a collection, usually but not necessarily built for that purpose. . .
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9 Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Identification Selection Acquisition Organization Preparation
Storage Interpretation Utilization Dissemination
Evans, G.E., Intner, S.S., and Weihs, J. (2002) Introduction to technical services. 7th ed. Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Identification Location of items to add to collection
Reviews Publishers Vendors Jobbers User requests
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Selection Deciding which items will be added Budget Circulation statistics User needs—popularity6 Subject needs New items (editions) Quality—Impact factor ILL-is it available elsewhere? Local items Reviews
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Acquisition Securing the items Jobbers Donations/gifts/grants/fundraising Collection policy Vendors Budget Space/physical restrictions Subscriptions/licenses (electronic resources) Technological capabilities Legal issues
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Organization provision of intellectual access to local and
remote collections Cataloging
Copy cataloging Original cataloging Combination of both
Indexing—pathfinders Display
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Preparation Readying the items for storage that will allow easy
retrieval. Spine labels Security cases for media Security magnetic tape Binding journals/soft covers
Covering dust jackets Identification stamp Repairing Archival preservation Barcodes/date stamp cards Punch cards Magazine sleeves
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Storage Housing the prepared items. Bookshelves/media storage shelves/display
shelves/display cases Servers for databases Map cases Magazine racks Filing cabinets Microfilm readers Annex
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Dissemination: Establishing a system that allows for the use of items.
Network Catalog/classification system Signage/map of library Reference librarian Brochures Sectioning of physical space Website Inter Library Loan Circulation Computer work stations Disability assisted devices (e.g. reading machines,
etc.)13
Interpretation: Assisting end-users in locating appropriate materials to meet their needs Reference librarian/virtual chat/School library media
specialist Technology professional Subject librarians Workshops/tutorials/classes Story hour Book clubs Brochures/flyers/exhibits/displays Visiting authors/speakers Website Bibliographic instruction
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer Utilization
Providing equipment and space to allow staff and end-users to make effective use of the items in the collection
Computer hardware Schedules Tables, chairs, desks, couches, etc. Stationery supplies Designated areas in the library Video equipment Carrels Equipment for special groups (e.g. toys for children) Photocopier/printers/fax machine Book carts
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Technical Services: Some Definitions
“...services that provide access to information existing in some published form.” Horny (1980) qtd. in Godden, P. (1991, p. 1)
All the tasks carried on in a library that are concerned with the processing of library materials in order to make them accessible to the users of the library.” Gorman, M. (1998, p. 3)
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Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Securing Items
ACQUISITION
SELECTION
ORGANIZATION
DISSEMINATION
Cataloging/Indexing
Processing
Identification
Interpretation
Utilization
Storage
Document Retrieval
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Collection Development
Human ResourcesFinance
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
ManagementLibrary
Services
Selection
Acquisition
Organization
Dissemination
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What is a Library?
Utilitarian Study hall Research center Activist/advocate Information dissemination
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Other Issues to Consider…
Acquisition
Preservation
Storage
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Library Jobs: Boards (of various kinds)
Set policy, formulate strategic plans, may fund raise
Administration Responsible for operation of library:
personnel, finances, planning, policy implementation
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Library Jobs: Public Services
Provide direct service to users Reference Subject specialists Circulation ILL Special departments (eg, a/v) Programming (Intranet, etc.) ???
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Library Jobs: Technical Services
Technical services
Collection development Acquisition Processing (e.g. cataloguing, indexing) Current Awareness Service Conservation/preservation Systems
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Library Jobs—Support Services
Maintenance – heating, lighting, plumbing, cleaning
Personnel – hiring, training Public relations – marketing, etc. Security
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Trends Affecting Libraries: Budgetary issues
Downsizing of staff and/or services Outsourcing of tasks
Paradigm shifts Progress in development of electronic access
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Paradigm Shift: Technology Issues
Technology has changed the way technical services operate but not their basic functions!
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Paradigm Shift Technology: Possible Results
Results: Positive
A larger pool of information Easier access to information—electronic resources Faster Wider audience/different audience Cheaper—e.g. copy cataloging Social networking—globalization Saves on physical space Benefits of multi-media learning
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Paradigm ShiftTechnology: Possible Results
Negative Learning curve Misinformation Marginalization or disregard for other formats Digital divide Replacing jobs previously done by humans Less face-to-face contact/less sense of
community Plagiarism/intellectual property/copyright issues
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Budget Issues: Possible Actions & Results
Action: Outsourcing Cataloging Processing of items (e.g. binding, barcodes, etc.) Self-checkout—circulation Reference
Possible Results: More free time for other duties Saves money
Quality control Language barrier
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Types of Libraries
National Public University/college School Special
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Libraries in the U.S.: Some Statistics
Estimated 122,356 libraries
Approximately 9,000 public libraries Branches: 7,500+
Over 3,600 academic libraries (affiliated with post-secondary institutions)
Less than 4-year (approx, 1,300) 4-year+ (approx 2,200)
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Libraries in the U.S.: Some Statistics (cont’d)
Over 99,000 school libraries Public: 81,920 Private: 17,100 Bureau of Indian Affairs: 160
Around 11,000 special libraries (medical, corporate, law, etc.)
Special: 8,900+ Armed Forces: 289 Government: 1,150
Source: ALA Library Fact Sheet #1 (found at www.ala.org)
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National Libraries
Found in almost every country National role National deposit/copyright
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what
Selection/retention policy User community Research function pre-eminent
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Library of Congress: Mission
The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.
Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from: http://www.loc.gov/about/
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National Library and Archives of Canada
To preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;
To be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada;
To facilitate in Canada cooperation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge; and
To serve as the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions.
Excerpt from NLC-BNC web site (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/) 35
National Libraries: Roles & Issues
Financial and physical challenges Preservation role Role as professional leaders Attitude towards professional librarians?
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National Libraries: Challenges
Budgets Costs Space It Security Access
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Academic Libraries
“…to advance learning, teaching, and research in higher education.”
(excerpt from ACRL mission statement found at
http://www.ala.org/ACRL)
Information Education Research
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Academic Libraries
Support teaching Support research Provide study spaces Centralization versus area/branch libraries Preservation role Inter-institutional collaboration
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School Libraries/Media Centers: Roles
Curriculum support Projects Reading/language Educational
Information literacy—Teaching role Access, evaluation, utilization of
sources.
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School Libraries/Media Centers: Issues
Importance of library to parent organization (School Board)
Lack of funding Role of volunteers IT: opportunity or threat? Censorship issues Access issues
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Public Libraries: Roles
Multiple roles:
Information Recreation Education Culture
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Public Libraries: Characteristics
Service to individual versus corporate information services
Local information services Library boards (exception: Quebec) Publicly funded Central library/branch libraries
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Public Libraries: Issues
Fiscal Censorship Problem patrons Volunteers Fees for services Usage levels Elected library boards
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Special Libraries/Librarians: Roles
…Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings.
Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from: http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/AssnProfile/index.cfm
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Special Libraries
Variety – but normally serve a special and restricted user community
Corporate Medical Legal Government (could be a separate category) Miscellaneous
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Special Libraries: Issues
Importance to parent organization
Corporate culture
Restricted budgets
Copyright/ Intellectual Property issues
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Librarian Ranks (CLA)
Librarians (professionals) – MLS Library technicians – library diploma
programs (CEGEP, Community College) Library assistants Library clerks - shelving, signing out Teacher librarians
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Related Organizations: Collaborators
Publishers Subscription agencies Book stores Library automation vendors Database producers Online vendors
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Related Organizations: Competitors
Internet (?) Reduces or eliminates need for libraries/
librarians? Incorporated into present library environment
Book stores Video stores ???
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Related Organizations: Parallel Organizations
Archives Records management departments Information research organizations Information consultants
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Library Issues:
Financial problems – in both public and private sector (cost of resources)
Information society – impact of electronic information – threats and opportunities
Library without walls
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