This paper aims to examine the various practices employed by libraries in the city ofUmeå in regards to the collection development of their video game selection.In addition to directly examining this process, it will also seek to develop anunderstanding of how different factors impact it, such as technical aspects, ageratings, genres, and game platforms. The study was conducted using both aqualitative and quantitative method, using interviews to gather insights fromlibrarians and a variety of statistical sources to build an image of the contents of thelibrary. The results indicated that the collection development endeavors were bothless frequent and needed compared to the book collections, in great part due to thelimited size of the selection. It was also found that the collections that did exist weregreatly influenced by the library patrons that engaged with them, with the cataloguemostly mirroring the demand in proportion, with the outlier of Nintendo Switchgames. Finally, a potential issue regarding the future of video game acquisition wasraised due to the evolving digital market potentially rendering library servicesobsolete or too expensive. In conclusion, this study found that unless the videogame market drastically shifts course from its digitalization the services librariesprovide in regards to this medium has to adapt to stay relevant to public interests

Includes bibliography. / The focal point of this study emanates from both personal observations formed in public library branch work and questions raised in the subject literature to the effect that tension appears to exist between the wants of the majority of users and the perception of the dominant goals of the public library by their staff, resulting in differing views as to the book selection policy of this institution. Book selection policies have been taken to reflect the attitudes of library staff towards users' wants in terms of their adherence to the tenets of Anglo-American public library objectives.

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Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka svenska folkbiblioteks relation till lokalpolitiken. Genom att närstudera fyra bibliotekschefer från lika många kommuner så kan vi analysera hur cheferna upplever relationen till lokalpolitiken. Vårt empiriska material har analyserats med hjälp av Margaret Archers teori om den inre konversationen och Petra Svenssons användning av begreppet situerat agentskap. Våra forskningsfrågor är hur bibliotekscheferna upplever politikernas inblandning i bibliotekets arbete och hur detta kan analyseras utifrån Margaret Archers teori om den inre konversationen och teorin om det situerade agentskapet. I vår analys framkommer att bibliotekscheferna behöver reflektera över sitt uppdrag för att hantera svåra frågor och relationen till de lokala politikerna. Dessutom framkommer att de flesta bibliotekschefer anser sig ha en god relation till politikerna, men att det förekommer att politiker vill blanda sig i på ett sätt som upplevs som att gå över gränsen för armlängds avstånd. Studien visar på en relation som innefattar en del spänningar och där det ibland kan finnas olika syn på biblioteksverksamhet och olika värderingar. Studien visar också att bibliotekscheferna känner en oro inför Sverigedemokraternas framgångar och deras syn på bibliotek.

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Bibliography: leaves 199-207. / This survey aims at reflecting the historical development of the Carnegie Non- European Library, from 1950 known as the Non-European Library Service, Transvaal, and attempts to evaluate the contribution of a small private library organization to the development of library services for Africans in South Africa. Since 1931 the (Carnegie) Non-European Library Service, Transvaal, has been engaged in its self-appointed task of promoting the reading habit and the use of libraries among Non-Whites, and amongst Africans in particular. The administering Committee consists of officials from government, provincial and municipal authorities as well as representatives of various organizations, who all serve in a voluntary capacity. With their active assistance and interested co-operation a considerable amount of work has been achieved despite the many difficulties encountered. The (Carnegie) Non-European Library Service, Transvaal, administered its own lending library services between 1931 and 1962; encouraged the training of Non-Whites for library work; entered the publishing field to produce two hand- books of library methods and two books for children written in the Bantu languages. The administering Committee has also provided many opportunities for the exchange of information on various aspects of library development for Non- Whites, and particularly for Africans. In its efforts to promote through reading, the intellectual development of the African, and so further his understanding of the cultures of his own peoples and other civilizations, the (Carnegie) Non- European Library Service, Transvaal, has also emphasised the role of the library in the African's spiritual quest for cultural awakening and upliftment.

The purpose of this study is to determine the adequacy of the library service rendered to the people of Burnet County, Texas.

The selection of science fiction was researched to determine how science fiction should be evaluated and selected in the context of the public library. The first sub-problem to be researched concerned the cultural, societal and literary origins of this genre, after which its distinct phases of development were studied as well as the characteristic essence of science fiction which would affect its selection per se, specifically whether conventional literary criteria are suitable for the evaluation of items of science fiction during selection. The next sub-problem focused on, was whether theory can explain the process of fiction selection, The succeeding sub-problem was to empirically Study current practice in science fiction selection. Survey research was conducted amongst selected major urban/regional public library services in the USA. Final research results indicated that science fiction is a sophisticated, multi-textured genre which differs significantly from fellow popular genres, Science fiction is viewed by some critics as being on the cusp of post-modernism, a significant body of work in contemporary literature, and a supreme expression of late capitalism. Research further showed that no satisfactory evaluative criteria exist. It was also established that theory of fiction selection is not always capable of explaining or guiding the process of fiction selection. There is no model for the selection of science fiction. Finn guiding principles for science fiction selection could be formulated by the aid of this study. The study concluded with a specially-designed model for the selection of science fiction (including a scorecard with specially-compiled criteria for evaluating items), as well as a suggested core collection. A structured approach should be followed by the science fiction selector. The guiding principles and core collection which were formulated in this study, the set of special criteria as well as the model, together demonstrate that the selection of science fiction can be structured, controlled and guided within established parameters. / Information Science / D. Lit. et Phil. (Information Science)

Public libraries, globally, are adopting the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in order to improve services to the users. ICTs in public libraries are enhancing services to the users by ensuring that services are available to them quickly and efficiently. ICTs in public libraries include computers and their Internet-based facilities, printers, photocopiers, laminators, faxes, telephones, televisions, compact discs, (CDs) and digital video discs (DVDs). This study focussed on the utilisation of ICTs in public libraries at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM). The general aim of the study was to assess the utilisation of ICTs at EMM public libraries by the users. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches through a survey research method were deployed. The study targeted all public libraries at Ekurhuleni and within the libraries; library users and control librarians (librarians in charge of libraries at Ekurhuleni) were targeted. Control librarians participated in the study as key informants. The researcher needed to find out if they would corroborate what users said. There is a total of 43 public libraries at Ekurhuleni and eight were included in this study. These eight libraries were selected through stratified sampling. Out of 24033 registered users at Ekurhuleni libraries, 332 were randomly selected to take part in the study. All eight control librarians of participating libraries were included in the study. The total response rate for the targeted library users was 51% (170). The findings of this study indicate that although ICTs in EMM libraries are highly utilised, staff attitudes, cost of ICTs services, users’ lack of ICTs knowledge and skills, slowness of ICTs and power failure, make it difficult for users to maximise the full benefits offered by ICTs. The study recommended that the cost of ICTs services be reduced, customer care workshops and ICTs training be prioritised for staff, structured ICTs training programmes be developed for library users, users’ access time to Internet be extended, subscription to online databases be prioritised, Internet bandwidth be increased, uninterrupted power supply be installed in libraries and that positions be created for librarians specialising on ICTs. / Information Science / MA (Information Science)

Abstract available in pdf file.