Thesis (Ph. D.)--Walden University, 1994. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography (leaves [80]-86).

"This study, conducted in nine languages, sought to examine the library use and reading habits of eminent individuals. All living Nobel Laureates were identified and asked to provide information about their childhood interests and habits and also those which characterize their adult careers. The respondents indicated that they enjoyed reading as children, and many relied on library services to provide them with most of the materials they read. The Laureates who grew up in the United States had more access to library services, made more use of libraries as children, and felt competent to use libraries at earlier ages than did many of their counterparts growing up outside this country. The reading habits of their childhood seem to persist into adulthood more predictably than their library use patterns, or for that matter their involvement in other leisure activities"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "1996." / "Submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." / Advisor: F. William Summers, Major Professor. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Rutgers University, 1966. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-104).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 1996. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-270).

Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee (Knoxville), 1981. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-70).

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy( Library and Information Studies) in the Department of Information Studies at the University Of Zululand, 2017. / This study set out to investigate the provision and use of public library services in Nigeria with a view to determining the satisfaction level of users with the services offered. Additionally the study wanted to develop a framework that will address the issues and challenges identified when providing public library services to the Nigerian population. Providing access to information through an institution such as a public library presupposes a well-governed and efficiently managed system. Lacking these, service delivery might be compromised, resulting in a population dissatisfied with the services delivered. The study is centred on the IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines, with the use of theoretical models such as the Traditional Public Administration Model (TPAM) and the New Public Management (NPM). An interpretivist approach to research was adopted involving mainly qualitative methods. A quantitative paradigm was also used as a supplementary method. The case study design methodology was used by conducting in-depth interviews with three permanent secretaries, six public library directors, and six heads of rural community libraries, cutting across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. An informal interview was held with the children using the public library services in order to gauge their opinion about the services provided in the children’s section of the library. A questionnaire was administered to public library users in order to understand their responses on awareness, accessibility, use and satisfaction with the services provided by public libraries. Observation was used for validation of the responses from the interviews and questionnaire. In all, fifteen interviews were conducted with the administrators/managers of public libraries in Nigeria. The reason for using multiple instruments (interview, observation and questionnaire) was for triangulation of the responses in order to identify areas of divergence and convergence during data analysis. The interview responses were thematically analysed using content analysis, while the data collected through a survey questionnaire were analysed using the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) in order to arrive at summary and descriptive statistics. A test-retest reliability method using two methods was imperative; (1) expert opinion where a content validity index (CVI) was computed, and (2) Cronbach’s Alpha, that became more useful where continuous and non-dichotomous data were included in the analysis. It was therefore concluded that the instrument was internally consistent and reliable. Ethical considerations were also taken into account with informed consent forms, approval seeking, permission as well as confidentiality. vi The findings of this study showed that variables such as: relevant academic qualifications, years of experience, and designation of the administrators of public libraries affected the service delivery. The study also revealed that the pattern of administration of public libraries in Nigeria still conforms to the Traditional Public Administration Model (TPAM), which was criticised for its top-down and inefficient administrative approach. Very little community participation in the administration of the public libraries was identified, and it was established that there is still a huge dependency on the parent bodies for decision-making and funding. Additionally the study also found the following challenges as impediments to the expected service delivery: inadequate funding; insufficient staff; irregular electricity supply; outdated library materials; lack of functional library resources and facilities; and inappropriate public library legislation. Digital resources were found to be lacking in most of the libraries, and the physical infrastructure was found lacking, especially in the rural areas. Awareness of the services provided by the public libraries was found to be low, and it is mainly traditional services that are currently offered. This situation subsequently resulted in a low level of satisfaction with the use of the services. The study recommended that laws specific to public libraries should be promulgated in order to regulate the governance and administration of this public unit; more relevant and adequate services should be provided; alternative forms of funding should be explored in order to alleviate the dependence on governmental budgets; and training and retraining of public library staff should be actively explored with special emphasis on attaining IT skills.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Chicago. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-183).

Thesis (M.L.S.)--Brigham Young University. / Chiefly tables. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-144).