First, a study was made of various writings in the field of librarianship which have undertaken to define the duties and responsibilities of library boards and of librarians. From these a set of standards has been developed in the broad areas of organization of the board, division of responsibilities between librarian and board, and general policies. Second, board-librarian relationships in Florida were studied, the investigation limited to public libraries which have budgets of $5,000 a year or more and which are governed by library boards. Since no records of present problems in Florida public libraries are available, a questionnaire was devised and sent to public libraries which have annual budgets of $5,000 or more and which have governing boards. The findings have been summarized and tabulated. Comparisons have been made with standard practices and recommendations for improving existing relations listed. / Typescript. / "August, 1958." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts." / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-58).

"The purpose of this paper is (1) to study in detail the history and development of public library service in the towns of Anderson County--Anderson, Belton, Honea Path, and Pendleton--and the bookmobile service, and (2) to trace the development of the Anderson County Library system from its organization in 1958 until the present time. Such a study should prove of value to the staff of the Anderson County Library and other interested citizens. It will serve both as a tribute to those who pioneered for library service in the county and as a stimulus to those presently engaged in extending this service"--Introduction. / "August, 1961." / At head of title: Florida State University. / Typescript. / "Submitted to the Graduate School of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Advisor: Ruth H. Rockwood, Professor Directing Paper. / Includes bibliographical references.

Public library services in New Zealand are being re-examined in light of the developments in ICT and an increasingly multicultural population. The research question investigated was “Can an internet portal on a public library website be used to meet the information needs of new Chinese Mandarin immigrants to the Auckland region of New Zealand?” In an attempt to effectively answer the research question and sub-questions the researcher conducted a literature review on two aspects relevant to the study: immigration theory and information behaviour (IB). Thirty Chinese Mandarin speaking recent migrants to the Auckland region of New Zealand were interviewed in-depth to determine their information behaviour (IB) and resources used. The findings indicate that respondents were in need of everyday survival information. The findings suggest that a more coordinated approach to information provision, for example through a library web portal, will assist respondents in their search for information relating to their initial settlement. / Information Science / M. Inf.

Public library services in New Zealand are being re-examined in light of the developments in ICT and an increasingly multicultural population. The research question investigated was “Can an internet portal on a public library website be used to meet the information needs of new Chinese Mandarin immigrants to the Auckland region of New Zealand?” In an attempt to effectively answer the research question and sub-questions the researcher conducted a literature review on two aspects relevant to the study: immigration theory and information behaviour (IB). Thirty Chinese Mandarin speaking recent migrants to the Auckland region of New Zealand were interviewed in-depth to determine their information behaviour (IB) and resources used. The findings indicate that respondents were in need of everyday survival information. The findings suggest that a more coordinated approach to information provision, for example through a library web portal, will assist respondents in their search for information relating to their initial settlement. / Information Science / M. Inf.

Submitted by Valdinei Souza (neisouza@hotmail.com) on 2015-12-17T16:01:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO_BRUNALESSA_CD.pdf: 53450892 bytes, checksum: 54a580c2b1bf12ce70c364c935c3d805 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Urania Araujo (urania@ufba.br) on 2016-02-25T18:36:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO_BRUNALESSA_CD.pdf: 53450892 bytes, checksum: 54a580c2b1bf12ce70c364c935c3d805 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-25T18:36:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO_BRUNALESSA_CD.pdf: 53450892 bytes, checksum: 54a580c2b1bf12ce70c364c935c3d805 (MD5) / O uso de dispositivos da web social pelas bibliotecas públicas como estratégia de interlocução e participação dos usuários nas atividades realizadas no seu espaço físico é o tema desse trabalho. Diante disso, buscou-se analisar e caracterizar a presença das bibliotecas públicas do Sistema Nacional de Bibliotecas Públicas no ambiente dos dispositivos de comunicação da web social e os caminhos que têm percorrido para atrair seus usuários ao seu espaço físico. A investigação se caracteriza como um estudo descritivo que se deu a partir do estudo de múltiplos casos, em uma amostra composta por 14 bibliotecas públicas brasileiras. As técnicas e instrumentos de coleta e análise dos dados utilizados incluíram a observação direta das interações e interlocuções existentes entre as bibliotecas analisadas e seus usuários nos dispositivos de comunicação da web social, bem como a aplicação de questionários junto a estas bibliotecas. Como procedimento para coleta e análise dos dados, desenvolveu-se uma análise categorial a partir dos tipos de informações postadas por essas bibliotecas e para análise das interlocuções, adotou-se a análise de conteúdo. Com isso, a análise dos dados se realizou a partir da integração de abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa. No percurso da pesquisa, verificou-se que o dispositivo de comunicação da web social mais utilizado por essas bibliotecas é o Facebook. Este possui variadas ferramentas que podem ser utilizadas para disponibilização dos serviços dessas bibliotecas, contudo, a maioria delas não é explorada em sua totalidade. Como resultado das observações diretas, identificou-se que o tipo de informação mais postada no Facebook por essas bibliotecas, e que tem atraído os usuários, é aquele que trata das suas ações e atividades culturais, no entanto, as interlocuções consideradas intensas ainda ocorrem em número insuficiente nesse dispositivo. Apesar disso, foi possível identificar que algumas interlocuções podem ser consideradas atividades que contemplam as dimensões dialógica, estética, formativa e ética da mediação da informação. Verificou-se ainda que, embora as estratégias dessas bibliotecas para estimular a participação dos usuários em suas ações e atividades culturais estejam voltadas apenas à divulgação dessas ações, essas estratégias de mediação também se constituem ações mediadoras para ampliar a aproximação de seus usuários de seus espaços físicos. A análise das informações obtidas a partir da aplicação do questionário possibilitou verificar também, que há uma grande demanda da sociedade por acesso a espaços que atendam, simultaneamente, às necessidades de convivência, informação e lazer. Constatou-se que o uso do Facebook pelas bibliotecas públicas possibilita o diálogo, a realização de atividades de mediação, a exemplo das atividades de disseminação de informação e de compartilhamento de conteúdos. Assim, concluiu-se que o Facebook se constitui como um espaço que potencializa a interação e comunicação entre bibliotecas e seus usuários reais e potenciais, de maneira a estimular a participação destes nas ações e atividades desenvolvidas no seu espaço físico. Com isso, representa uma estratégia para geração de capital social por essas bibliotecas, que também poderá contribuir para a ressignificação do seu espaço na sociedade como um “empório de ideias” - lugar favorecedor do crescimento mútuo e do diálogo. / ABSTRACT This paper addresses the use of social media websites by public libraries as a strategy to allow exchanges and a broader participation of users in efforts held in the physical environment of libraries. In view of this, the presence in social media websites of the public libraries associated under the Brazilian System of Public Libraries has been reviewed and described, alongside the means to which they have been typically resorting to draw users to the physical environment of libraries. This research is characterized as a descriptive study, and is grounded on the assessment of multiple cases out of a sample comprising 14 Brazilian public libraries. The collection techniques and tools and data analysis applied include direct observation of interactions and exchanges between the libraries reviewed and their users through social media websites, as well as the circulation of questionnaires to be responded by such libraries. As a procedure for collection and analysis of data, a category-based analysis was developed, using the information posted by such libraries, in addition to content analysis for the exchanges gathered. Thus, the data analysis was performed by combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Over the progress of this research, the main social media website used by such libraries was found to be Facebook. It provides several tools for expanding the access to the services provided by such libraries, but most of their possibilities remain unused. As a result of the direct observations, the information mostly posted on Facebook by such libraries, which is deemed as more attractive to users, revolves around the cultural activities and efforts organized by these libraries. However, the number of intensive exchanges may still be considered insufficient for such social media website. Notwithstanding, this study was able to identify that some exchanges were capable of raising the dialogic, aesthetic, teaching and ethical dimensions of the mediation of information. Furthermore, although the strategies of these libraries to encourage the participation of users in their cultural activities and efforts were only targeted at disseminating such initiatives, such strategies of mediation were found to be mediating actions which managed to bridge the distance between users and the physical environment of the libraries. The analysis of information obtained by circulating a questionnaire to be responded also allowed finding that there is great demand by public of access to environments that meet their sociability, information and leisure needs. This research ascertained that the use of Facebook by public libraries facilitates dialog, and organization of efforts of mediation, which are illustrated by information dissemination and content sharing efforts. On account of this, Facebook may be seen as an environment that leverages interaction and communication between libraries and their actual and potential users, managing to further their participation in events developed in the physical environment of libraries. Therefore, it may be a recourse for libraries to generate social capital, meanwhile contributing to reshape the role they play in the society as “emporium of ideas” — places that promote mutual growth and dialog

M.Inf. / The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is an integrated, coherent socioeconomic policy framework that seeks to mobilise all people and resources towards the final eradication of apartheid and the building of a democratic, non-racial and non-sexist future. It is clearly indicated in this policy document that the government is serious about the delivery of services to all people in South Africa. However, mention of library services is made only casually in the document, with libraries and information never being referred to in the same context. Information workers generally are nevertheless convinced that there are many areas in which library and information services can make a significant contribution to the success of the RDP. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the public library, with specific reference to the Randfontein Public Library, can make a contribution to the success of the RDP of South Africa. Data collection methods used included a study of literature and personal interviews with role players. During the analysis phase a brief overview was given of the South African history. The influence of this on the development of public libraries was researched, with special emphasis on the impact of the historical policy of separate development on libraries. It was found that, in the pre democratic era (before the 1994 elections), the Randfontein Public Library had indeed been influenced by apartheid laws, which resulted in inferior library services being provided to the previously disadvantaged groups in Randfontein. A chronological description of the transformation process within the library and information profession, including the guidelines of the national policy document, was given. It was found that information workers generally were aware of their responsibility towards the development of the previously disadvantaged groups, but that they lacked implementation guidelines. A demographic analysis of the Randfontein Magisterial District and a situation analysis of current Randfontein Public Library services were made to determine whether it was possible to make a contribution to the RDP. To determine the services that should be rendered by the Randfontein Public Library typical public library objectives in relation to RDP objectives were investigated. Both sets of objectives place high priority on development and therefore it was concluded that specific functions were to be performed to reach the identified development objectives. A distinction was made between primary and secondary functions. For the purpose of this study primary functions were defined as those performed to contribute towards RDP objectives, while secondary functions were deemed as those complementing the afore mentioned. In conclusion it was found that the Randfontein Public Library can make a contribution towards the actualisation of the RDP through prioritising primary functions and establishing links with organisations and individuals in the Randfontein community.

This research aims to explore and identify essential elements of community engagement in the public sector, including library services. Previous research has highlighted public libraries objectives in undertaking community engagement, in terms of tackling social exclusion, promoting democracy and contributing to social/cultural/human capital. However, it is also apparent that there is a lack of shared vision and strategy for community engagement in public libraries. Furthermore, little systematic research has examined the community engagement process in practice. Hence there is a need for a systematic, comparative and empirical investigation into essential elements of community engagement in public libraries. The study was qualitative, involving three case studies in England. Research methods employed to gather data included semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis. Both the viewpoints of service providers and service users were captured. Essential elements of community engagement were initially identified in case specific contexts. The discussion of the relationships between elements then identified two key underlying variable drivers (i.e. influence of authority and willingness to learn ) that had a fundamental impact on community engagement. Influence of authority was defined as the extent that the initiative was led by the service or the community. Willingness to learn was defined as the extent that the service was willing to embrace a community-driven approach or a library-based approach for implementing community engagement. The empirical investigative results identified the essential elements of community engagement as comprising of: accountability , belonging , commitment , communication , a flexible approach , genuineness , relevance and sustainability . The significance of this research is the identification, based on empirical data, of arguably the essential elements of community engagement in the public library context. However, it is likely that these elements are key to forms of community engagement both within and outside the public sector. Recommendations are made in conclusion for the promotion of genuine community engagement, where the community-driven approach and the organic nature of the community engagement process are seen as being paramount to engagement.

Wayfinding is the process of using one or more tools to move from one location to another in order to accomplish a task or to achieve a goal. This qualitative study explores the process of wayfinding as it applies to locating information in a public library. A group of volunteers were asked to find a selection of items in three types of libraries-traditional, contemporary, and modern. The retrieval process was timed and the reactions of the volunteers were recorded, documented, and analyzed. The impact of various wayfinding tools-architecture, layout, color, signage, computer support, collection organization-on the retrieval process was also identified. The study revealed that many of the wayfinding tools currently available in libraries do not facilitate item retrieval. Inconsistencies, ambiguities, obstructions, disparities, and operational deficiencies all contributed to end-user frustration and retrieval failure. The study suggests that failing to address these issues may prompt library patrons-end users who are increasingly interested in finding information with minimal expenditures of time and effort-may turn to other information-retrieval strategies and abandon a system that they find confusing and frustrating.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Access to knowledge and information is found to be the cornerstone in the road to knowledge economy transformation whereby the utilization of knowledge is the key engine of economic growth, where knowledge is acquired, created, disseminated and used effectively to enhance economic and social development. This means that the more people acquire knowledge, the more they will begin producing new products or improving systems and existing products, thus adding value to local products and improving the GDP of the country, as well as improving their social livelihood. Therefore, the primary role public libraries have is being the knowledge hubs, to make provision of higher quality knowledge and to make information accessible to the public to equally contribute to all NDPs towards achieving the Namibia Vision 2030 for a knowledge economy. This research study discusses “The contribution of the Public Library services towards a knowledge economy transformation readiness which is envisaged by the Namibia Vision 2030. In achieving that, the study has investigated the state of the Namibia legislative and policy framework reflections of access to knowledge and information as provided by libraries. The study further examines the availability and accessibility of knowledge and information resources, including ICT infrastructure at public libraries in remote rural areas. Moreover, it discusses the types of education and training programmes conducted by public libraries in ensuring that users have the necessary information and retrieval searching competencies and skills for accessing and navigating available information infrastructural resources. Finally, it explores innovation systems, technologically and non-technologically initiated by librarians for library services enhancement, and how library users have tapped into the growing stock of knowledge and information, and adapted them to local needs for economic and social development. The study has employed the four pillars of the World Bank Knowledge Economy Framework, namely an economic and institutional regime; information, knowledge and ICT infrastructure; education and training, and an innovation system as the lenses through which to investigate the research questions understudied.

Por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória de caráter bibliográfico-documental, esta dissertação busca analisar o Advocacy Bibliotecário e como este movimento tem se manifestado em diversos países. Para isso, realizou-se uma revisão de literatura sobre a temática, considerando conceitos como democracia e política, o campo das políticas públicas, além do significado do termo advocacy e o conceito a ele atribuído. Como ponto fundamental para melhor compreensão do Advocacy Bibliotecário, buscou-se identificar a origem, função, papel e importância das Bibliotecas Públicas na sociedade atual, para que se pudesse então estudar como e porque tal movimento surgiu, se estruturou e vem se espalhando pelo mundo. Com base na revisão da literatura pertinente ao tema, identificou-se que a International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) e a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) vêm desenvolvendo programas a nível global, destinados ao fortalecimento das bibliotecas que, além de oferecer treinamentos para os bibliotecários, também financiam iniciativas ligadas ao Advocacy Bibliotecário. Foram identificados cinco programas globais, sendo quatro da IFLA e um da BMGF. São eles: O Library Development Programme (LDP), o Building Strong Library Associations Programm (BSLA), e o International Advocacy Programme (IAP) da IFLA e o Global Libraries (GL) da BMGF. Como resultado da revisão, chegou-se a consolidação de uma matriz classificatória de tipologias de iniciativas de advocacy possíveis de serem desenvolvidas por bibliotecas: (a) Iniciativas de estruturação: Relacionadas ao fortalecimento do setor bibliotecário no país ou da associação bibliotecária nacional; (b) Iniciativas de formação: Focadas na formação profissional para o advocacy/desenvolvimento de liderança/atuação política; (c) Iniciativas de sensibilização: Iniciativas que visam sensibilizar a população para o valor das bibliotecas e (d) Iniciativas políticas: Ações e estratégias que evidenciam a busca de diálogo com o governo sobre o posicionamento das bibliotecas nas agendas públicas. A partir deste ponto, seguiu-se um mapeamento e categorização das iniciativas de advocacy que têm sido conduzidas por associações nacionais ou regionais de bibliotecas ao redor do mundo, com a finalidade de compreender como este movimento tem se espalhado e se estruturado nas comunidades bibliotecárias. Por meio de consultas aos sites de associações nacionais de bibliotecas e aos relatórios dos programas citados, foram identificadas 80 iniciativas que receberam financiamento dos programas globais, além de outras 97 iniciativas realizadas/iniciadas entre 2010 e 2018 e propostas/conduzidas dentro do escopo aqui proposto. Assim, foram identificadas 177 iniciativas ocorridas em pelo menos 125 países, das quais apenas 159 puderam ser classificadas, da seguinte forma: 19 iniciativas de estruturação, 96 iniciativas de formação, 21 iniciativas de sensibilização e 23 iniciativas políticas. De acordo com esta amostragem, 82,4% das iniciativas ocorreu em países menos desenvolvidos. Pode-se perceber, portanto, que nestes países, já há algum tempo estão surgindo projetos de advocacy, certamente devido à motivação e fomento das instituições e programas mencionados. E, que modo geral, a demanda corrente ainda se concentra em iniciativas de formação, demonstrando grande necessidade de capacitação dos bibliotecários para a condução de esforços de promoção, defesa e militância das bibliotecas e da própria profissão. / Through an exploratory bibliographic-documentary research, this dissertation seeks to analyze the Library Advocacy and how this movement has manifested itself in several countries. For this purpose, a literature review was carried out on the subject, considering concepts such as democracy and politics, the field of public policies, besides the meaning of the term advocacy and the concept attributed to it. As a fundamental point for a better understanding of the Library Advocacy, it was sought to identify the origin, function, role and importance of Public Libraries in today\'s society, so that it was possible to study how and why this movement emerged, was structured and is spreading throughout the world. Based on a review of relevant literature, it has been identified that the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have been developing programs at the global level to strengthen libraries which, in addition to providing training for librarians, also finance initiatives related to the Library Advocacy. Five global programs were identified, four from IFLA and one from the BMGF. They are: The Library Development Program (LDP), the Building Strong Library Associations Program (BSLA), and the International Advocacy Program (IAP) of IFLA and the Global Libraries (GL) of the BMGF. As a result of the review, it was possible to consolidate a classification matrix of types of advocacy initiatives that could be developed by libraries: (a) structuring initiatives: Related to the strengthening of the librarian sector in the country or the national librarian association; (b) Training initiatives: Focused on vocational training for advocacy / leadership development / policy action; (c) Awareness-raising initiatives: Initiatives aimed at sensitizing the population to the value of libraries; and (d) Political initiatives: Actions and strategies that highlight the search for dialogue with the government on the positioning of libraries in public agendas. From this point, a mapping and categorization of the advocacy initiatives that have been conducted by national or regional associations of libraries around the world have followed, in order to understand how this movement has spread and structured in the librarian communities. Through the consult of the national library association websites and the reports of the global programs, 80 initiatives were identified that received funding from the global programs, as well as 97 other initiatives undertaken / initiated between 2010 and 2018 and proposed / conducted within the scope proposed here. Thus, 177 initiatives were identified in at least 125 countries, of which only 159 could be classified as follows: 19 structuring initiatives, 96 training initiatives, 21 awareness-raising initiatives and 23 political initiatives. According to this sampling, 82.4% of the initiatives occurred in less developed countries. It can be seen, therefore, that in these countries, advocacy projects have been in progress for some time, certainly due to the motivation and the promotion of the institutions and programs mentioned. Overall, current demand still focuses on training initiatives, demonstrating a great need for the capacity of librarians to carry out efforts to promote, defend and militate in libraries and in the profession itself.