This study proposes a seven step evaluation model for evaluating library services using criteria based on community needs. The evaluation modal does not concern itself with direct measures of library processes but with examining the end product of those library processes in the form of services offered to the library's community. The model is intended to reveal discrepancies between community needs and library outputs and provide planning steps which will assist the professionally competent librarian to match library outputs to community needs. The final step in the evaluation model is intended to provide data on library effectiveness in meeting community needs. For the purposes of this study "library community" is defined as the target population for a particular library, encompassing non-users as well as actual users. Every library is intended to provide services to a specific community unique to itself. The model is presented as a general model, with implementation guidelines and checklists, as a basis for developing an evaluation plan for the specific situation of each individual library. A pilot study based on the evaluation model is described. The pilot study consisted of an evaluation of the Audiovisual Services section of the Australian National University Library and was conducted over an eighteen month period. The pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of the evaluation model as a planning tool for matching library services to community needs.

The current prevailing approach to managing offenders in the community involves community supervision professionals such as probation and parole officers partnering with other community professionals, such as psychologists, social workers, and other mental health providers to address offenders’ needs. Each type of professional draws from a unique field with goals, values, and theoretical orientations, which do not necessarily overlap. These relationships are rarely studied, and previous examinations are limited. The current study aims to address this deficit in the empirical literature. Drawing on data obtained from qualitative interviews, four aims were examined. First, using thematic analysis, interview data are analyzed open-endedly to identify major themes. Second, these partnerships are examined against the interprofessional competencies in the healthcare system. Third, the perceived impact of partnerships on offenders’ success in the community is discussed. Finally, differences in themes within community supervision professionals and mental health providers were quantitatively examined by comparing groups using a variety of demographic variables. Major themes identified by mental health providers include the appreciation for and challenges to collaboration, individual characteristics and roles, characteristics of collaboration, elements of interprofessional relationship, and the involvement of the courts. Community supervision professionals discussed issues pertaining to collaboration and services coordination, professional roles, when conflict occurs, and their lack of basic knowledge about other professionals. Themes identified in the initial thematic analysis resembled healthcare values and ethics competencies and roles and responsibilities competences; healthcare competencies regarding interprofessional communication and teamwork showed partial congruence with the current data’s themes. Perceived impact on offender outcomes was most evident in how collaboration helps each professional complement the others’ work. Few significant quantitative patterns within groups were evident. Overall, treatment providers and supervision professionals value interprofessional collaboration. Their priorities differ, which provides better opportunities to address clients’ needs but also creates the potential for conflict. Benefits to re-entry outcomes are the result of treatment providers addressing the needs of clients and supervision professionals addressing the motivation of clients. This research highlights the strengths of this type of interprofessional collaboration, and offers suggestions for improving the efficacy of collaborations.

Temos aktualumas. 2000 m. Europos viršūnių susitikime Lisabonoje buvo priimta Strategija, kurios tikslas – pasiekti, kad ES per dešimtmetį taptų konkurencingiausia ir dinamiškiausia ekonomika pasaulyje, pajėgi darniai augti. Viena iš sąlygų – stiprinant socialinę sanglaudą. Todėl ir Lietuvoje dėmesys turėtų būti sutelktas į vieną iš svarbiausių sričių – žmoniškųjų išteklių ugdymą, investicijas į žmogų. Bendruomenė – viena svarbiausių socialinio gyvenimo savivaldos, bendradarbiavimo, socialinių subjektų bendradarbiavimo, kūrybiškumo, iniciatyvumo, vertybinio mąstymo ugdymo terpė. Kultūrinė (dvasinė) struktūra užtikrina kultūrinių – estetinių, dvasinių, aukštesnių vertybių patenkinimą. Todėl šioje studijoje bandėme diagnozuoti ir nurodyti galimybes kaip regioniniame mieste galima tenkinti bendruomenės sociokultūrinius poreikius. Prasminga bendruomenės sociokultūrinė veikla gali padėti kurti vieningą, tikslingą veiklą įprasminančią aukštesnėmis vertybėmis pagrįstą bendradarbiavimo, partnerystės sistemą. Bendruomenėje, kitose visuomenės sferose reikšmingus darbus gali nuveikti vadybos pagrindus gavęs kvalifikuotas socialinis darbuotojas, gebantis kritiškai, analitiškai mąstyti, bendradarbiauti ir mokyti kitus dirbti komandoje, būti pokyčių skatintoju. Vertindami Lietuvos regioninę politiką turime konstatuoti, kad periferijoje esančių bendruomenei įtaką darančių kultūros židinių (sociokultūrinių institucijų) veiklos, tenkinant ir ugdant bendruomenės poreikius, problema yra labai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Relevance of the theme: European leaders approved the Strategy at Lisabon meeting in 2000. The goal of the strategy is to achieve that EU becomes the most competitive and dynamic economic of the world which is capable to grow harmoniously. One of the conditions is to strengthen the social cohesion. Therefore, the attention should be focused on one of the most significant sectors, i.e. on the development of human resources and on the investments into human, in Lithuania too. Purpose of the research is to provide study of the possibilities to meet the social-cultural needs of the community in the regional town Tasks of the research: 1. To reveal the intensity of the community’s cultural life; 2. To reveal the involvement of the youths in the activity of the social-cultural institutions. 3. To present the role of the social-cultural institutions and their activity possibilities in the regional towns. 4. To reveal the strategy of common activity of the social-cultural authorities. Hypothesis: The developmental interaction with the community would be much more effective if the common strategy of the activity of social-cultural institutions would be established in regional town. Methodical provisions and methods of the research: Culture is a system of values which can be acquired, formed, received and transferred. Person operates in particular environment as subject and object, therefore he/she has influence and create himself/herself. Therefore the relations of the... [to full text]

The aim of the research was to understand the experiences and challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Thabazimbi and the implications and consequences for communities in terms of dependency and empowerment, as seen from the perspective of the mining representatives. As corporate citizens, mining companies generate profits through the exploitation of mineral resources. There is an expectation that some of the benefits of this mining endeavours should be passed on to communities surrounding the company. This is generally considered the best sustainability practice and companies are expected to act as responsible corporate citizens. Most of the previous research on CSR has focused on the perceptions of community members. This research is unique in that it focuses on the effects of CSR on the experiences and perceptions of key personnel from the mining companies who are responsible for the designing and implementing CSR strategies. Mining company representatives did acknowledge that the past approach to CSR has created some dependency issues. However, more recently the company has moved to a strategy that focuses more on empowerment. They also acknowledge that, going forward, a new challenge emerges for mining companies, communities and local government. This challenge is to work towards ensuring sustainable development and empowerment with the focus on actual community needs. The conclusion was that for empowerment to be realised all relevant stakeholders need to play a role in the development process. / Thesis (Master of Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of the research was to understand the experiences and challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Thabazimbi and the implications and consequences for communities in terms of dependency and empowerment, as seen from the perspective of the mining representatives. As corporate citizens, mining companies generate profits through the exploitation of mineral resources. There is an expectation that some of the benefits of this mining endeavours should be passed on to communities surrounding the company. This is generally considered the best sustainability practice and companies are expected to act as responsible corporate citizens. Most of the previous research on CSR has focused on the perceptions of community members. This research is unique in that it focuses on the effects of CSR on the experiences and perceptions of key personnel from the mining companies who are responsible for the designing and implementing CSR strategies. Mining company representatives did acknowledge that the past approach to CSR has created some dependency issues. However, more recently the company has moved to a strategy that focuses more on empowerment. They also acknowledge that, going forward, a new challenge emerges for mining companies, communities and local government. This challenge is to work towards ensuring sustainable development and empowerment with the focus on actual community needs. The conclusion was that for empowerment to be realised all relevant stakeholders need to play a role in the development process. / Thesis (Master of Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

South Africa is a developing country and children in South Africa are at a high risk for developing communication disorders with more than 10% of children under three likely to have communication disorders. The ideal is to prevent as many of these communication disorders as possible. This requires the identification of factors within specific communities which may increase the risk for or resilience against developing communication disorders. Providing information on communication development is a form of primary prevention which has proven to be highly successful. There is a continuum of communities in the South African context that range from the developing to the developed and at each level parents have specific requirements regarding the need for information on communication development. Considering the large number of South African infants who are at risk for developing communication disorders and in recognition of the many different communities in the South African context, the need for prevention tools which are developed to meet the needs of specific communities, becomes apparent. This study aimed to develop a tool for parents of a specific South African community, identified as Pretoria East, for the stimulation of communication skills in infants that is valid in terms of content and is judged by parents to be practical and empowering. In order to achieve this aim three phases of research were planned. Phase one aimed to identify the needs of parents and professionals in terms of the informational content and format of a tool for the stimulation of communication in infants. Phase two aimed to develop a tool for the stimulation of communication in infants based on the needs and preferences expressed by parents and professionals, the active involvement of parents from the community in focus group discussions as well as on sound theoretical underpinnings of infant development. Phase three aimed to validate the tool by determining whether the tool fulfilled the needs of parents in terms of informational content and format. The results of this research indicated that a need was identified in parents and professionals alike for a tool for parents on the stimulation of communication skills in infants. A video was indicated as the most popular choice of format. The content of the stimulation tool which was developed in phase two reflected the needs and preferences of the community and included the following topics, namely: discussions and demonstrations on the normal development of communication skills in infants, techniques that would facilitate normal development, risk factors and resilience factors which may influence communication development as well as information on locating a professional. In phase three parents from the community evaluated the video tool as practical and empowering, therefore achieving the main objective of the research. This research highlighted the need within a specific community for information on the facilitation of communication development in young children, implying the need for further research in order to determine the needs of other South African communities. Recommendations were also made regarding the need for speech-language therapists to increase their involvement in prevention initiatives and community work. / Thesis (PhD (Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / One of the main purposes of a library is to disseminate information to the community it serves. Collection development, which is the process of building and maintaining a library’s collection is, thus an essential part of library services. The selection of materials that align with community needs and interests is an especially important aspect of collection development. With reference to the Helen Haines theory of book selection which is community-centred and highlights the role of lifelong learning in book selection, this research investigated the book selection practices of librarians from the City of Cape Town Library and Information Service

Individuals who are disadvantaged by low-income and/ or minority status face a number of barriers to experiencing optimal health and eating well. Twenty Aboriginal and 29 non-Aboriginal participants (N = 49) from Ottawa, Canada took part in a cross-sectional, mixed methods study and completed one questionnaire and single in-depth interview that verified: 1) food security status and household eating habits, 2) fruit and vegetable purchase and consumption, and 3) knowledge about or participation in the Good Food Box [GFB] Program. Ottawa GFB staff (n = 5), site coordinators (n = 6) and steering committee members (n = 3) took part in separate discussion groups to identify challenges and strengths related to program coordination, management and delivery. Within an ecological framework, qualitative data is discussed using a social phenomenological and thematic approach. Using χ2 analyses, results suggest a medium effect size and association between food security status and Aboriginal identity (χ2(1) = 8.04, p < 0.01; φ = 0.4) and satisfaction with how stores meet household food needs and gender (χ2(1) = 5.86, p < 0.05; φ = 0.36). A relationship between participation in the GFB Program and food security status (χ2(1) = 11.13, p < 0.01; φ = 0.48) is also shown where estimates suggest that GFB customers are 9.9 times more likely to be food secure compared to non-affiliates. ANOVA results and post-hoc tests demonstrate a significant mean difference in frequency of fruit consumption between GFB customers and non-program users (F(2, 46) = 11.29, p = 0.00) where 29.6% of the variance (ω2 = 0.296) is explained by program participation. Results-based and community-driven recommendations to improve access to healthy food, food security and the GFB Program are discussed as shared responsibilities between different levels of government across sectors and the community since these are public and social health issues, determinants of health and economic concerns. Implications of findings are also discussed.

This study attempts to gain an understanding of the responsibilities and place of the designer within his/her social, political and environmental context, a topic which is continuously being scrutinised. Graphic designers, as practitioners and researchers, have shifted towards principles found within Human-Centred Design (HCD) and problem-solving processes, primarily concerned with the community’s need and the voice of the community members within the problem and thus integrating the user into the design practice and problem-solving process. This practice-based research project reflects upon the integration of human-centred graphic design processes, analysing the brand and wayfinding design currently incorporated in the Sasolburg Public Library (SPL) through the implementation of HCD thinking and problem-solving processes, Participatory Action Research (PAR) and the HCD IDEO toolkit. The researcher critically and experientially questions and reflects upon HCD thinking: its problem-solving strategies, strengths and the ultimate result of its integration into the project, as she aimed to codesign a functional brand identity and way-finding system that resonates with the identified community need as well as the SPL’s current space and place ‘description’, essentially attempting to create a public library that is human-centred at heart. The integrated co-designed problem-solving processes, guided by the HCD IDEO toolkit, were applied within a focus group setting, and comprised out of seven focus group sessions referred to as HCD team meetings. The focus group sessions consisted out of six HCD team meeting and one member checking contact session, supported by various research phases. The team meetings all considered theoretical constructs within multiple HCD research approaches, including the HCD analysis model, PAR research cycles and the action research model, constantly re-considering existing assumptions and structures within the unique context of a public library setting, but specifically the SPL. Each focus group team meeting, and its subsequent research tools, were tailor-made for the SPL context, considering principles of the co-design process along with the expertise and perceived knowledge structures of the HCD team consisting of the designer (as specialist within practice), the researcher (as specialist academic) and the librarians (as specialists within the SPL and the identified problem). Arising from this complex construction of tools, and subsequent data collected, various findings were made identifying the value and strengths as well as the feasibility of HCD thinking processes and their integration within a ‘real life context’. Summarised findings include: the implementation of co-design processes, PAR repetitive cycles, and the creation of design deliverables answering to identified needs; tensions identified within the co-design process, sparking the beginning of what seems to be a continuous and endless ‘power/authority/expertise struggle’ throughout the problem-solving process; an aesthetic adjustment (with specific reference to graphic design executions identified within traditional design practices) as a result of the co-design process and lastly, a break in HCD co-design thinking, which argues for implementing democratic thinking practice and processes within the production and design application process. Considering the findings on the HCD research process within the context of this research, suggestions towards possible design solutions and future potential applications (within a theoretical context) are made, allowing the research in its specific, public library context, to contribute to HCD theoretical thinking processes and their integration within graphic design research and practice.

Text in Afrikaans / Ten einde 'n kurrikulum relevant en doeltreffend te kan hou, is di t noodsaaklik om die kurrikulum gereeld te evalueer en dienooreenkomstig die bevindinge aan te pas, indien nodig. Spesiale skole in Suid-Afrika beskik oor 'n eiesoortige kernkurrikulum wat hoofsaaklik ontwikkel is vir leerders wat primer verstandelik matig gestrem is. Om verskeie redes, waarvan die belangrikste is, dat die meerderheid leerders wat hulle tans in spesiale skole bevind nie verstandelik matig gestremd is nie, word die werklike doeltreffendheid en relevansie van hierdie kurrikulum bevraagteken. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was derhalwe om die doeltreffendheid en relevansie van die kernkurrikulum wat vir die meerderheid spesiale skole in Suid-Afrika van toepassing is, te bepaal. 'n Sekondere doel van die ondersoek was om 'n kurrikulumevalueringsmodel te ontwikkel aan die hand waarvan kurrikulumevalueerders 'n kurrikulum vanuit 'n literatuurperspektief sou kon evalueer. Ten einde die ondersoek teoreties te fundeer, is 'n li teratuurondersoek onderneem na die grondslae en komponente van 'n kurrikulum. Op grond van die navorsingsresultate is die kurrikulumevalueringsmodel ontwikkel. Twee van die kurrikulumgrondslae wat by wyse van die navorsing blootgele is, is die leerder en die gemeenskap. By wyse van 'n li teratuur- en dokumentasie-ondersoek is bepaal wat die eise is wat spesialeskoolleerders en die gemeenskap aan die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole stel. Aan die hand van hierdie bevindinge is kurrikulumevalueringskriteria ontwikkel waarmee die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole toe geevalueer is. By die toepassing van hierdie kriteria is gevind dat die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole in vele opsigte nie behoorlik aan die eise van die leerders en die gemeenskap voldoen nie. Die gevolgtrekking kon derhalwe gemaak word dat die kernkurrikulum vir spesiale skole oor die algemeen nie doel treffend en relevant genoeg is nie. Aanbevelings is gemaak oor hoe die kernkurrikulum moontlik meer doeltreffend en relevant gemaak kan word. / Sustaining curriculum relevance and effectiveness, necessitates regular curriculum evaluation and adjustment in concurrence with the evaluation results. Special schools in South Africa have at their disposal their own · peculiar curriculum which was developed mainly for learners who are primarily mildly mentally disabled. For various reasons, the most important of which is that the majority of learners currently in special schools are not mildly mentally disadvantaged, the relevancy and effectiveness of this curriculum are questioned. The primary aim of this research was therefore to determine if the core curriculum for special education, which is applicable to the majority of special schools in South Africa, is relevant and effective. A secondary aim of this investigation was to develop a model for curriculum evaluation by means of which curriculum evaluators would be able to evaluate a curriculum from a literature perspective. With a view to founding this research theoretically, literature research was conducted into the foundations and components of the curriculum. On the basis of the research findings, the model for curriculum evaluation was developed. Two of the curriculum foundations that were disclosed by means of the research, were the learner and the community. By means of an investigation of literature and other relevant documentation, the demands made on the curriculum by the learner and the community, were determined. On the basis of these findings, criteria were developed by means of which the core curriculum for special schools was then assessed. When the above criteria were applied, it was found that in many respects the core curriculum for special schools did not completely comply with the demands of the learners and the community. The conclusion could therefore be drawn that the core curriculum for special schools are in general not effective and relevant enough. Proposals were made on how the core curriculum could possibly be made more effective and relevant. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didaktiek)