Libraries in Operation

LIS 505Introduction to Library &

Information StudiesJanuary 25, 2010

Objectives To appreciate some different definitions of a

library. Exactly what is a library?

To understand what takes place in a typical library to enable information services to be offered to users.

To become aware of current trends affecting libraries.

To identify and examine different types of libraries.

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What is a Library? Shorter Oxford English Dictionary

(1973)

“A place set apart to contain books for reading, study or reference.” (Same definition found in Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Ed. 1989)

“The books contained in a library; a large collection of books.”

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What is a library? Some more definitions . . .

“Keepers of books, keepers of print and paper on the shelves…keepers also of the records of the human spirit.” (Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of Congress, 1941)

“A collection of people whose aggregate function is that of acquiring, organizing and disseminating knowledge and/or entertainment.” (B. Shuman, 1992)

“. . . a place that contains collections and staff dedicated to selecting, acquiring, making accessible, and preserving those collections and to providing services (assistance and instruction) that enable the optimal use of those collections.” (M. Gorman, 1998)

“…we assert that the library is, at root, a collection of information selected for use of, and made useable for, a particular community…That is, proverbially like politics, all collections are local.” Keller, Reich, Herkovic (2003) 4

What is a Library? (ODLIS) http://lu.com/odlis/index.cfm

From the Latin liber, meaning "book" . . . A collection or group of collections of books and/or other print or non-print materials organized and maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc.). Institutional libraries, organized to facilitate access by a specific clientele, are staffed by librarians and other personnel trained to provide services to meet user needs. By extension, the room, building, or facility that houses such a collection, usually but not necessarily built for that purpose. . .

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9 Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Identification Selection Acquisition Organization Preparation

Storage Interpretation Utilization Dissemination

Evans, G.E., Intner, S.S., and Weihs, J. (2002) Introduction to technical services. 7th ed. Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Identification Location of items to add to collection

Reviews Publishers Vendors Jobbers User requests

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Selection Deciding which items will be added Budget Circulation statistics User needs—popularity6 Subject needs New items (editions) Quality—Impact factor ILL-is it available elsewhere? Local items Reviews

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Acquisition Securing the items Jobbers Donations/gifts/grants/fundraising Collection policy Vendors Budget Space/physical restrictions Subscriptions/licenses (electronic resources) Technological capabilities Legal issues

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Organization provision of intellectual access to local and

remote collections Cataloging

Copy cataloging Original cataloging Combination of both

Indexing—pathfinders Display

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Preparation Readying the items for storage that will allow easy

retrieval. Spine labels Security cases for media Security magnetic tape Binding journals/soft covers

Covering dust jackets Identification stamp Repairing Archival preservation Barcodes/date stamp cards Punch cards Magazine sleeves

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Storage Housing the prepared items. Bookshelves/media storage shelves/display

shelves/display cases Servers for databases Map cases Magazine racks Filing cabinets Microfilm readers Annex

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Dissemination: Establishing a system that allows for the use of items.

Network Catalog/classification system Signage/map of library Reference librarian Brochures Sectioning of physical space Website Inter Library Loan Circulation Computer work stations Disability assisted devices (e.g. reading machines,

etc.)13

Interpretation: Assisting end-users in locating appropriate materials to meet their needs Reference librarian/virtual chat/School library media

specialist Technology professional Subject librarians Workshops/tutorials/classes Story hour Book clubs Brochures/flyers/exhibits/displays Visiting authors/speakers Website Bibliographic instruction

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer Utilization

Providing equipment and space to allow staff and end-users to make effective use of the items in the collection

Computer hardware Schedules Tables, chairs, desks, couches, etc. Stationery supplies Designated areas in the library Video equipment Carrels Equipment for special groups (e.g. toys for children) Photocopier/printers/fax machine Book carts

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Technical Services: Some Definitions

“...services that provide access to information existing in some published form.” Horny (1980) qtd. in Godden, P. (1991, p. 1)

All the tasks carried on in a library that are concerned with the processing of library materials in order to make them accessible to the users of the library.” Gorman, M. (1998, p. 3)

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Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Securing Items

ACQUISITION

SELECTION

ORGANIZATION

DISSEMINATION

Cataloging/Indexing

Processing

Identification

Interpretation

Utilization

Storage

Document Retrieval

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Collection Development

Human ResourcesFinance

INPUTS

OUTPUTS

ManagementLibrary

Services

Selection

Acquisition

Organization

Dissemination

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What is a Library?

Utilitarian Study hall Research center Activist/advocate Information dissemination

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Other Issues to Consider…

Acquisition

Preservation

Storage

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Library Jobs: Boards (of various kinds)

Set policy, formulate strategic plans, may fund raise

Administration Responsible for operation of library:

personnel, finances, planning, policy implementation

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Library Jobs: Public Services

Provide direct service to users Reference Subject specialists Circulation ILL Special departments (eg, a/v) Programming (Intranet, etc.) ???

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Library Jobs: Technical Services

Technical services

Collection development Acquisition Processing (e.g. cataloguing, indexing) Current Awareness Service Conservation/preservation Systems

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Library Jobs—Support Services

Maintenance – heating, lighting, plumbing, cleaning

Personnel – hiring, training Public relations – marketing, etc. Security

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Trends Affecting Libraries: Budgetary issues

Downsizing of staff and/or services Outsourcing of tasks

Paradigm shifts Progress in development of electronic access

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Paradigm Shift: Technology Issues

Technology has changed the way technical services operate but not their basic functions!

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Paradigm Shift Technology: Possible Results

Results: Positive

A larger pool of information Easier access to information—electronic resources Faster Wider audience/different audience Cheaper—e.g. copy cataloging Social networking—globalization Saves on physical space Benefits of multi-media learning

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Paradigm ShiftTechnology: Possible Results

Negative Learning curve Misinformation Marginalization or disregard for other formats Digital divide Replacing jobs previously done by humans Less face-to-face contact/less sense of

community Plagiarism/intellectual property/copyright issues

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Budget Issues: Possible Actions & Results

Action: Outsourcing Cataloging Processing of items (e.g. binding, barcodes, etc.) Self-checkout—circulation Reference

Possible Results: More free time for other duties Saves money

Quality control Language barrier

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Types of Libraries

National Public University/college School Special

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Libraries in the U.S.: Some Statistics

Estimated 122,356 libraries

Approximately 9,000 public libraries Branches: 7,500+

Over 3,600 academic libraries (affiliated with post-secondary institutions)

Less than 4-year (approx, 1,300) 4-year+ (approx 2,200)

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Libraries in the U.S.: Some Statistics (cont’d)

Over 99,000 school libraries Public: 81,920 Private: 17,100 Bureau of Indian Affairs: 160

Around 11,000 special libraries (medical, corporate, law, etc.)

Special: 8,900+ Armed Forces: 289 Government: 1,150

Source: ALA Library Fact Sheet #1 (found at www.ala.org)

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National Libraries

Found in almost every country National role National deposit/copyright

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what

Selection/retention policy User community Research function pre-eminent

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Library of Congress: Mission

The Library's mission is to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.

Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from: http://www.loc.gov/about/

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National Library and Archives of Canada

To preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations;

To be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada;

To facilitate in Canada cooperation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge; and

To serve as the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions.

Excerpt from NLC-BNC web site (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/) 35

National Libraries: Roles & Issues

Financial and physical challenges Preservation role Role as professional leaders Attitude towards professional librarians?

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National Libraries: Challenges

Budgets Costs Space It Security Access

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Academic Libraries

“…to advance learning, teaching, and research in higher education.”

(excerpt from ACRL mission statement found at

http://www.ala.org/ACRL)

Information Education Research

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Academic Libraries

Support teaching Support research Provide study spaces Centralization versus area/branch libraries Preservation role Inter-institutional collaboration

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School Libraries/Media Centers: Roles

Curriculum support Projects Reading/language Educational

Information literacy—Teaching role Access, evaluation, utilization of

sources.

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School Libraries/Media Centers: Issues

Importance of library to parent organization (School Board)

Lack of funding Role of volunteers IT: opportunity or threat? Censorship issues Access issues

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Public Libraries: Roles

Multiple roles:

Information Recreation Education Culture

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Public Libraries: Characteristics

Service to individual versus corporate information services

Local information services Library boards (exception: Quebec) Publicly funded Central library/branch libraries

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Public Libraries: Issues

Fiscal Censorship Problem patrons Volunteers Fees for services Usage levels Elected library boards

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Special Libraries/Librarians: Roles

…Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings.

Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from: http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/AssnProfile/index.cfm

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Special Libraries

Variety – but normally serve a special and restricted user community

Corporate Medical Legal Government (could be a separate category) Miscellaneous

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Special Libraries: Issues

Importance to parent organization

Corporate culture

Restricted budgets

Copyright/ Intellectual Property issues

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Librarian Ranks (CLA)

Librarians (professionals) – MLS Library technicians – library diploma

programs (CEGEP, Community College) Library assistants Library clerks - shelving, signing out Teacher librarians

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Related Organizations: Collaborators

Publishers Subscription agencies Book stores Library automation vendors Database producers Online vendors

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Related Organizations: Competitors

Internet (?) Reduces or eliminates need for libraries/

librarians? Incorporated into present library environment

Book stores Video stores ???

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Related Organizations: Parallel Organizations

Archives Records management departments Information research organizations Information consultants

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Library Issues:

Financial problems – in both public and private sector (cost of resources)

Information society – impact of electronic information – threats and opportunities

Library without walls

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