Existing research has focused on the financial challenges affecting public libraries and how to improve library efficiency and funding. However, it is unknown how financial diversification could improve the economic fortunes of public libraries. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the unique structural, legal, and operational dynamics associated with adopting a financial diversification strategy in the Clayton County Library System (CCLS), Georgia, and to explore what would support or hinder the implementation of such a strategy. Using modern portfolio theory, the research explored how the CCLS could diversify its funding sources. A qualitative single-case study was conducted to gather information from a sample of library personnel: 2 library directors, 7 assistant directors, 6 branch managers, and 3 grant writers. Budget documents and meeting minutes over a 3-year period were also reviewed. The data were analyzed using a content analysis method, and were coded inductively. Interview data were triangulated with the results of a review of budget documents, meeting minutes, and related literature. Study findings revealed that financial diversification was an effective strategy for the participants in this study, but such diversification would be complex for the broader CCLS because of stakeholders' concerns about CCLS's organizational characteristics, legal frameworks, and management attitudes. The study findings may be used as a basis for further empirical investigations on adoption of financial diversification plans in public libraries. Positive social change is expected to result from this study because it provides useful data to policymakers, library administrators, and other stakeholders seeking ways to sustain public library funding.

The diploma thesis deals with unrealised projects of new buildings or refurbishments of libraries in the Czech Republic. It is notionally split into two parts. The theoretical part contains the reasons, why to build library buildings today and actual requierements on these specific kind of buildings. The most important czech and foreign documents on this topic are presented. One specific part is dealing with funding of library high-priced projects and also examples of successfull projects. The main focus of work is a summary of six public libraries focussed on their poor space conditions. After this, gathered data are equated with each other, with recommended values in Standard of Public Information Library Services and with comparable data of libraries placed in new or reconstructed buildings. In conclusion, the author questions subjectively the future of these six libraries. Part of the thesis is also extensive supplement with photos and graphic visualizations of unrealised projects.

This study examines the efficacy of collection development and management practices, policies, guidelines and standards in universities of technology to meet the information needs of academics and researchers at such institutions. In South Africa, as in Australasia, technikons or polytechnics have been upgraded first into degree granting institutions and then, at the beginning of the 21st century, into universities of technology. The researcher was concerned that library collections in South African universities of technology have not grown to meet the research and teaching needs of academics at the level of universities offering instruction up to a doctoral level. As research funding, government grants and the general prestige of the institutions depend on the research output of the institutions, it is essential that academics and researchers find the information resources they require in their institutional libraries. Case studies of universities of technology in New Zealand and South Africa reveal that, while Auckland University of Technology has been successful in extending its collection to meet the increasing demands placed on it, the collection development policies, standards and guidelines in a South African university of technology need to be upgraded in order to meet the information needs and information behaviour of their researchers and academics. Current levels of funding for the acquisition of information resources in South Africa lag behind those found at the New Zealand university of technology. The university of technology that was the object of the South African case study needs to bring its collection in line with that of similar institutions worldwide. This entails adapting goals and objectives stating how the collection is to develop, evaluating the collection and the needs of users, changing the Collection Development Policy to reflect the direction collection development will take and ensuring that the institution and the government back this project financially. To this end, a model Collection Development Policy has been drawn up that can be adapted to the local requirements of South African universities of technology to assist with the process of developing and managing library collections that will be worthy of such an institution. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

Universities in the new millennium find themselves in a knowledge-driven economy that is challenging them to produce a qualified and adaptable work force if they are to contribute to societal development. Owing to the structural change in the economy, entrepreneurs require high level scientists, professionals and technicians who not only have the capability to create and support innovations by adapting knowledge to local use but also people with managerial and lifelong learning skills. Such are they who can accelerate changes and make organizations more productive and efficient in the services they render. Consequently, universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are challenged to transform learning so as to produce graduates who have both knowledge and competencies. Such a system will create a balance between university education and the changing labour market. Satisfying these new educational demands are only possible through research and unhindered access to global information resources. Paradoxically, some private university libraries, because of limited funding, find themselves fiscally constrained in the provision of unhindered access to global stores of information particularly at a time of exponential growth both in number and cost of information resources. This had led libraries to re-examine resource sharing as a viable option to meeting the new demands placed on universities. It is for the reasons above that this study examines the practice, problems and prospects of resource-sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines scientifically the causes of poor sharing practices that are unique to each library, the situational and environmental factors that can enhance resource sharing. It provides also research-based information that will help to determine the best ways by which each library can have greater access to information resources. There are proposals for resolving the problems, and there are recommendations for dealing with the matter on a more permanent basis. The study advances resource-sharing model called Consortium of Adventist University Libraries in Africa (CAULA) as a resource sharing network for Seventh-day Adventist libraries in Africa. The organizational structure for CAULA are outlined and discussed. The proposed cooperation is not only sustainable but also structured to provide efficiency and greater regional cooperation of SDA libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Information Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)

Universities in the new millennium find themselves in a knowledge-driven economy that is challenging them to produce a qualified and adaptable work force if they are to contribute to societal development. Owing to the structural change in the economy, entrepreneurs require high level scientists, professionals and technicians who not only have the capability to create and support innovations by adapting knowledge to local use but also people with managerial and lifelong learning skills. Such are they who can accelerate changes and make organizations more productive and efficient in the services they render. Consequently, universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are challenged to transform learning so as to produce graduates who have both knowledge and competencies. Such a system will create a balance between university education and the changing labour market. Satisfying these new educational demands are only possible through research and unhindered access to global information resources. Paradoxically, some private university libraries, because of limited funding, find themselves fiscally constrained in the provision of unhindered access to global stores of information particularly at a time of exponential growth both in number and cost of information resources. This had led libraries to re-examine resource sharing as a viable option to meeting the new demands placed on universities. It is for the reasons above that this study examines the practice, problems and prospects of resource-sharing in selected Seventh-day Adventist university libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It examines scientifically the causes of poor sharing practices that are unique to each library, the situational and environmental factors that can enhance resource sharing. It provides also research-based information that will help to determine the best ways by which each library can have greater access to information resources. There are proposals for resolving the problems, and there are recommendations for dealing with the matter on a more permanent basis. The study advances resource-sharing model called Consortium of Adventist University Libraries in Africa (CAULA) as a resource sharing network for Seventh-day Adventist libraries in Africa. The organizational structure for CAULA are outlined and discussed. The proposed cooperation is not only sustainable but also structured to provide efficiency and greater regional cooperation of SDA libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa. / Information Science / DLITT ET PHIL (INF SCIENCE)

This study examines the efficacy of collection development and management practices, policies, guidelines and standards in universities of technology to meet the information needs of academics and researchers at such institutions. In South Africa, as in Australasia, technikons or polytechnics have been upgraded first into degree granting institutions and then, at the beginning of the 21st century, into universities of technology. The researcher was concerned that library collections in South African universities of technology have not grown to meet the research and teaching needs of academics at the level of universities offering instruction up to a doctoral level. As research funding, government grants and the general prestige of the institutions depend on the research output of the institutions, it is essential that academics and researchers find the information resources they require in their institutional libraries. Case studies of universities of technology in New Zealand and South Africa reveal that, while Auckland University of Technology has been successful in extending its collection to meet the increasing demands placed on it, the collection development policies, standards and guidelines in a South African university of technology need to be upgraded in order to meet the information needs and information behaviour of their researchers and academics. Current levels of funding for the acquisition of information resources in South Africa lag behind those found at the New Zealand university of technology. The university of technology that was the object of the South African case study needs to bring its collection in line with that of similar institutions worldwide. This entails adapting goals and objectives stating how the collection is to develop, evaluating the collection and the needs of users, changing the Collection Development Policy to reflect the direction collection development will take and ensuring that the institution and the government back this project financially. To this end, a model Collection Development Policy has been drawn up that can be adapted to the local requirements of South African universities of technology to assist with the process of developing and managing library collections that will be worthy of such an institution. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

The aim of this thesis is to describe and evaluate the current situation regarding the funding of public libraries in the Czech Republic. The introduction comprises a concise definition of the legislative framework for funding public libraries. In the main section of the work the author deals with the system of libraries providing public library and information services and how these libraries can be established. Then the analysis of the financial resources that can be used by these libraries follows, i.e. grants by founders, national and international programs and projects to support libraries, fundraising, donating, sponsoring, patronage, volunteering, grants by foundations, libraries' own business. There is also a description of pricing and financial policy, analysis of the financial management of libraries in various regions and the influence of the economic crisis on library budgets. The main part of the thesis related to the whole Czech Republic is followed by the part aimed only at the Central Bohemian. For analysis and description of financial resources and opportunities The Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno, contributory organization has been selected. The analytical part is complemented by experiences of other selected libraries, i.e. The Municipal Library in Žilina and The Town...