The purpose of this study was to define the role of the Georgia public junior college library in the community in terms of (1) non-college clientele served and use of the library by noncollege persons, (2) reference services provided, (3) collection development, and (4) provision of services other than reference to noncollege users, as perceived by four groups: the junior college presidents, academic deans, library directors, and other professional library staff. Relevant literature of perception and role theory was reviewed, along with selected studies of community service activities of junior college libraries. / The study tested the general hypothesis that there are significant differences among the four groups in their perceptions of existing and preferred practices constituting the role of library in the community. Research questions investigated the degree of potential for conflict between the four groups in their perceptions of both existing and preferred practices regarding (1) noncollege clientele served, (2) the provision of reference services to noncollege persons, (3) collection development for noncollege persons, and (4) the provision of services other than reference to noncollege persons. / The mail questionnaire was used. The majority of the respondents perceived the role of the junior college library to be in traditional library services (circulation of library materials, in-building use of library materials with unrestricted use of study space, ready-reference and telephone reference services, circulation and renewal privileges similar to college patrons) and in community services, other than reference. / Despite the potential for conflict as shown by the lack of agreement among the four groups as to existing and preferred community services, all four groups favored greater cooperation with the public library for planning and presenting joint programs, an increase in activities organized and presented for noncollege persons (notably book reviews), increased assistance for graphic design, compiling community information resource files/directories, vehicle parking accessible to the library, and funds for community services in the library budget. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-03, Section: A, page: 0543. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75515 |
| Contributors | HENDERSON, MARY EMMA., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 248 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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