Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University

Very little information is available about Swiss libraries and librarianship in English language text books and periodicals. While this study hopes to partly remedy this situation. it also intends to present a case study , or model, of library services in a federal, multi-lingual and democratic community which may serve as a basis for further investigations and comparative studies. The first two chapters of this thesis are devoted to a survey of the historical development of Switzerland and its libraries throughout their recorded history. and to an examination of the political. socio-economic and cultural developments which have taken place and have exerted a significant influence on Swiss library development. Seven chapters are devoted to an examination and discussion of recent developments in all types of library that offer at least a minimum of service to the public. Libraries that do not grant public access to their collections on any basis at all have not been included in this study, nor have archives and documentation centres. The investigation of modern Swiss library services focuses on the period mid-1960's to early 1980's. Special emphasis is placed on communal and cantonal library services and on their inter-relations. Chapter seven, which is three times as long as the average chapter and has been placed in the centre of this thesis, explores the problems, challenges and achievements of library provision at communal level in each of the twenty-six Swiss cantons. The Swiss Library Supply Agency, which played a major role in the development of communal libraries, is appraised in a separate chapter. The study concludes with two chapters devoted to an examination of the role of the major professional associations concerned with Swiss librarianship, and with a survey of library education at different levels. A final chapter is devoted to an appraisal of libraries and librarianship in Switzerland around 1980 and is followed by a bibliography of 922 entries.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how users of a special collection library of an academic institution in South Africa sought information and how social media could play a role in library service provision. Data for the empirical component was collected in September 2015. The study used a mixed methods approach to collect quantitative data which was analysed using Excel spreadsheets and qualitative data which was analysed using thematic analysis. A total of 36 self-administered printed questionnaires were used to solicit information on how users of the special collection library sought information for academic purposes using social media. Information was collected on the concerns, barriers and motivations that influence or deter users from using social media for academic purposes. Semi-structured interviews involving 11 participants were used to collect information on the views, experiences, thoughts and opinions of participants as regards the role that social media can play in providing library services. The study used purposive sampling in selecting participants for both the quantitative and qualitative study. Participants were users visiting the Special Collection Library at Institution A (a tertiary institution in South Africa), as well as users recommended by librarians of the Special Collection Library at Institution A. The participants included researchers, academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students at the academic institution as well as outside users (users not enrolled at Institution A or not staff members). The key findings include: (a) The most preferred social media tool used for academic purposes was Twitter, used mainly for sharing information and notification purposes. (b) Most preferred features of social media were those that provided for more engaging communication. (c) Users preferred more subject specific information on social media. (d) The concern listed as very significant by the largest number of participants was breach of privacy. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were made for the library to give greater support to diversity of expression of knowledge and foster participation with the user as content creator and not just a consumer of knowledge. Also, the library should consider using strategies that promote the discoverability of the special collections. Such strategies include: using the social media tool of the users’ preference (for example Twitter in this case) to raise awareness of the collections (such as, maps and artefacts) that are unique to the library; using social media such as WhatsApp to post reference lists related to particular topics that refer users to the special collection resources such as manuscripts and artefacts. Using WhatsApp also provides opportunity to start conversations/chats around special collection resources. Training should be developed and provided to librarians and users that focus on those features that promote the display of special collections resources such as the uploading of photographs. Recommendations were made for further research. / Mini Dissertation (MIT)-University of Pretoria, 2016. / Information Science / MIT / Unrestricted

User education is one of the essential activities of the library to optimize the use of library services. This paper discusses the use of multimedia based videos for the promotion of library services and activities with the help of emerging trends and technologies and the power of Web 2.0 especially YouTube. Through this paper, it is tried to demonstrate the procedural aspects of promoting user education through developing multimedia based user education program and utilizing the services of YouTube as media of marketing and communication at Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

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One of the distinguishing features of the modern elementary school is a library. The changes in educational philosophy which have made the child rather than the lesson the center of interest have brought about new methods of teaching. The lesson now becomes a challenge to the child to seek out information from many sources: books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, maps, and visual aids. No longer does the more memorizing of a specific assignment mean successful education.

This study proposes a seven step evaluation model for evaluating library services using criteria based on community needs. The evaluation modal does not concern itself with direct measures of library processes but with examining the end product of those library processes in the form of services offered to the library's community. The model is intended to reveal discrepancies between community needs and library outputs and provide planning steps which will assist the professionally competent librarian to match library outputs to community needs. The final step in the evaluation model is intended to provide data on library effectiveness in meeting community needs. For the purposes of this study "library community" is defined as the target population for a particular library, encompassing non-users as well as actual users. Every library is intended to provide services to a specific community unique to itself. The model is presented as a general model, with implementation guidelines and checklists, as a basis for developing an evaluation plan for the specific situation of each individual library. A pilot study based on the evaluation model is described. The pilot study consisted of an evaluation of the Audiovisual Services section of the Australian National University Library and was conducted over an eighteen month period. The pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of the evaluation model as a planning tool for matching library services to community needs.

User education is one of the essential activities of the library to optimize the use of library services. This paper discusses the use of multimedia based videos for the promotion of library services and activities with the help of emerging trends and technologies and the power of Web 2.0 especially YouTube. Through this paper, it is tried to demonstrate the procedural aspects of promoting user education through developing multimedia based user education program and utilizing the services of YouTube as media of marketing and communication at Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.

This case study described how a simple, low cost survey of library users was conducted at the Engineering Library of the University of Saskatchewan in order to better understand user needs and prepare for the service and space planning. The results show that students wanted more computers, more group and individual study space, and longer library hours. Based on the results, quick actions have been taken. The results also provided valuable information for the planning of the rejuvenation of the Engineering Library. Allowing each member of the team to showcase their talents, this project was a great team building exercise, and resulted a stronger , more cohesive working environment.

The study examines the perception of faculty members and students towards library services and usage in three selected Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia. It attempts to find out how academic users felt towards library staff/library services, their actual needs, library usage and their expectations of the library. It also looks closely at the feasibility and possible impact of the library/information skills course as part of the Higher Education Institutions' Curriculum. An extensive review of related and relevant literature that includes previous and present studies is also discussed. In addition, a profile of Malaysia, its educational system and the development of academic libraries are also presented in the study. The population studied was drawn from faculty members and students of three selected Higher Education Institutions. Data was collected using selfadministered questionnaires, personal interview, group interviews/ discussions with focus groups and a short skill test. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data collected from the questionnaires and the short skill test. As for the interviews, important and relevant comments or suggestions were collated and incorporated in the research. The study concludes that users are not really getting the full benefit of the library services and some of the services are under-utilised. The major causes or reasons for this problem are the lack of knowledge and the low state of awareness of certain services, attitude of staff, inadequate training to use the services and the lack of computer facilities. Finally. the idea of having an in-class library/information skills course for students is well received by users of the three Higher Education Institutions.