Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 1994. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 1994.

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.

As the New York Public Library entered the post-war era in the late 1940s, its operations fell under the zealous scrutiny of self-styled ‘redhunters’ intent upon rooting out library materials and staffers deemed un-American and politically subversive. The high point of attacks upon the New York Public Library came during the years 1947-1954, a period that witnessed the Soviet atomic bomb, the Berlin airlift, and the Korean War. This article charts the narrow and carefully wrought trail blazed by the library’s leadership during that period. Through a reading of materials in the library archives, we see how political pressures were perceived and handled by library management and staff. We witness remarkable examples of brave defense of intellectual freedom alongside episodes of prudent equivocation. At the heart of the library’s situation stood the contradictions between the principled commitments of individual library leaders and the practical political considerations underlying the library’s viability. As a general rule, the New York Public Library did not hesitate to acquire materials considered subversive by pressure groups, but the library frequently struck a course that sought to avoid controversy when possible.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the relationship of social class to intellectual attitudes and behavior. It ascertains attitudes toward and use of the public library.

The purpose of this Bachelor’s thesis is to examine how much and what was written in Sweden about foreign libraries and their design between 1916 and 1930. This is done by analysing articles published in the Swedish library journal Biblioteksbladet, using a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Firstly, the results of the quantitative approach show that a total of 55 articles were published on the subject, within the selected period. They also show who wrote each article, and that they mostly reported on details of statistics, finances, interior design and the everyday practical work of Public, Central and Children’s libraries. Secondly, the findings from the qualitative approach, an interpretative reading of five of the 55 articles, reveal four recurring themes that illuminate the messages behind the factual details in the texts. These themes are, that the library should be for everyone; that Sweden, in some ways, had fallen behind in the development of libraries; that the details are shared to help build new and better libraries; and that libraries should adapt to suit its users. Finally, the combined results of these studies illustrate not only what the authors of the articles found to be the most interesting aspects of various foreign library systems, but also lend insight to the state of the Swedish library organisation and system of the time.

This research explores the impact of Toronto’s urban reform movement of the 1970s on the Toronto Public Library (TPL) system. The TPL is the largest public library system in Canada, with 98 branches located in neighbourhoods across the city. These highly visible, accessible, and dynamic local branches promote social inclusion and community engagement through the provision of a range of programs and services. Public participation in the library planning process through citizens’ advisory groups resulted in the “equalization” of library services across the city, a renewal of the local branch system, and the restructuring of programs and services to meet community needs as defined by communities themselves. This research also discusses the possibility of creating new opportunities for patron participation at the TPL in the context of the recent resurgence in civic engagement on library issues.

This research explores the impact of Toronto’s urban reform movement of the 1970s on the Toronto Public Library (TPL) system. The TPL is the largest public library system in Canada, with 98 branches located in neighbourhoods across the city. These highly visible, accessible, and dynamic local branches promote social inclusion and community engagement through the provision of a range of programs and services. Public participation in the library planning process through citizens’ advisory groups resulted in the “equalization” of library services across the city, a renewal of the local branch system, and the restructuring of programs and services to meet community needs as defined by communities themselves. This research also discusses the possibility of creating new opportunities for patron participation at the TPL in the context of the recent resurgence in civic engagement on library issues.

This bachelor thesis is a study and an evaluation of the planning and implementation of the targeted marketing campaign "Småbarnsföräldern" at a public library. The analysis is based on the following questions:  What goals does the library have with the marketing campaign "Småbarnsföräldern"?  How has the library chosen to plan and implement the marketing campaign "Småbarnsföräldern" and what role have the users had in this process?  What is the internal result of the library’s marketing campaign – how did the staff experience the marketing campaign "Småbarnsföräldern"?  What is the external result – how did the target group, the parents of young children, experience the marketing campaign "Småbarnsföräldern"? The method is based on a case study of a single library with a series of interviews and document analysis. The study reveals that it´s difficult to plan a marketing campaign against a target group. The target group, the parents of young children, didn’t observe the marketing campaign, two informants had noticed the poster but didn’t pay much attention to it. No informant indicated that the campaign had prompted them to change their way of using the library. Lack of time is one reason.

Rapport de stage DCB : Ecole nationale supérieure des sciences de l'information et des bibliothèques : 2001.