Investigates current research activities in public library services. Draws from interviews with 20 chief librarians. Findings reinforce earlier perceptions and data about research…
Abstract
Investigates current research activities in public library services. Draws from interviews with 20 chief librarians. Findings reinforce earlier perceptions and data about research activities in the sector. Analysis explores factors such as research purpose, role of corporate strategy, limitations imposed by lack of suitably trained staff, support and funding. Presents evidence that research activity and method is largely confined to “simpler” issues of operational service development and does not extend to “harder” research questions addressing the social and economic impact of the service. Concludes that the restricted research capacity may endanger the realisation of the strategic potential of the service.
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Assesses library support for courses franchised from universities tofurther education colleges. The research formed part of a two‐yearBritish Library‐funded project examining…
Abstract
Assesses library support for courses franchised from universities to further education colleges. The research formed part of a two‐year British Library‐funded project examining library support for franchised courses in higher education. Interviews were held with 17 college librarians in Lancashire and Cumbria to explore the extent to which they are involved with franchised courses and the impact that such courses had on the college libraries. The discussions examined the library′s participation in the validation process and identified areas of dissatisfaction with the franchising process as well as difficulties with, for example, the provision of appropriate information skills work. Considers the impact of franchising in real terms in relation to book and journal stocks and support services, and comments on the perceived role of the franchising university′s library.
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Academic franchising has provided opportunities for many thousands of students who would otherwise have been excluded from higher education. Yet, despite the continued presence of…
Abstract
Academic franchising has provided opportunities for many thousands of students who would otherwise have been excluded from higher education. Yet, despite the continued presence of franchised courses, the approach has been, as far as possible, to make them fit in alongside traditional courses. Reports some of the work carried out by CERLIM at the University of Central Lancashire during the two‐year Library Support for Franchised Courses in Higher Education project, which was part‐funded by the British Library. Notes the differences in provision between college and university libraries and examines the student experience within this context. Identifies weakness in provision and describes the students’ coping strategies. Presents the practical implications of this work as suggestions to library managers for improving practice in the college and university libraries.
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Deborah Goodall and David Pattern
This paper aims to report an ongoing investigation of library use at Huddersfield University that has identified a historical correlation between library usage and degree…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report an ongoing investigation of library use at Huddersfield University that has identified a historical correlation between library usage and degree classification.
Design/methodology/approach
Three sets of data – use of electronic resources, book loans, and visits to the library – when represented graphically show consistent amounts of no and low use at campus, academic school, degree‐type and course level. Combining these findings with data showing academic achievement raises the question: is there a positive correlation between library use and attainment?
Findings
Understandably, library usage varies between academic schools and there are often pedagogic reasons for low usage, but it would appear that, in some subjects, students who “read” more, measured in terms of borrowing books and accessing electronic resources, achieve better grades.
Research limitations/implications
Further work will focus on undergraduate, fulltime students at the main university campus.
Practical implications
It is intended to discover the reasons behind non/low use so as to develop then trial effective interventions for improving the grades of all students, from the bottom up, rather than just supporting those that are already high flyers. The results will inform both library service delivery and university goals concerning the quality of the student learning experience, improving retention and improving the level of final degree award.
Originality/value
The paper shows that there are implications for all subjects and all levels of achievement at the university.
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The term “library management” covers many different aspects of the way that a library is operated and conjures up different concepts in the minds of different people, depending on…
Abstract
The term “library management” covers many different aspects of the way that a library is operated and conjures up different concepts in the minds of different people, depending on their own interests, agendas and requirements. Research into the subject is even more difficult to define because the application of research in one field can be vital to the development of another. Some researchers would not consider their research central to library matters at all, whereas the practising librarian might well see it as casting new light on a difficult area of understanding or development.
This paper outlines the progress of the eVALUEd project and presents the findings of earlier research that has informed its development. This is a major survey of higher education…
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This paper outlines the progress of the eVALUEd project and presents the findings of earlier research that has informed its development. This is a major survey of higher education institutions, which established a picture of evaluation activity across the sector in relation to EIS. A review of the literature, specifically in the area of outcomes assessment, shows how this has become a key component of the tools to be offered in the project's online evaluation toolkit.
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Arthur Midwinter and Murray McVicar
The political background in the United Kingdom leading to thedevelopment of performance indicators for public libraries is discussed.Corporate planning and value for money models…
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The political background in the United Kingdom leading to the development of performance indicators for public libraries is discussed. Corporate planning and value for money models are examined. A survey is reported of Scottish public library authorities and their use of performance indicators in relation to planning, budgeting and evaluation, and the development of public library objectives in Scotland is outlined. The major problems in applying performance measures to public libraries are considered.
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Discusses statistical data of interlending from the EnglishRegional Library System and the other UK national libraries innon‐fiction, fiction, and non‐print material categories…
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Discusses statistical data of interlending from the English Regional Library System and the other UK national libraries in non‐fiction, fiction, and non‐print material categories. Considers UK developments in interlending for languages other than English, fiction, Newsplan, LAWLIP, HIP, the Library and Information Plans for Music and for Visual Arts, and video materials. Summarises that all of these projects have presented difficulties, and should be brought together to pursue mutually beneficial goals.
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Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Term. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are…
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Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Term. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.
The British countryman is a well‐known figure; his rugged, obstinate nature, unyielding and tough; his part in the development of the nation, its history, not confined to the…
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The British countryman is a well‐known figure; his rugged, obstinate nature, unyielding and tough; his part in the development of the nation, its history, not confined to the valley meadows and pastures and uplands, but nobly played in battles and campaigns of long ago. His “better half”—a term as true of yeoman stock as of any other—is less well known. She is as important a part of country life as her spouse; in some fields, her contribution has been even greater. He may grow the food, but she is the provider of meals, dishes, specialties, the innovating genius to whom most if not all British food products, mostly with regional names and now well‐placed in the advertising armentarium of massive food manufacturers, are due. A few of them are centuries old. Nor does she lack the business acumen of her man; hens, ducks, geese, their eggs, cut flowers, the produce of the kitchen garden, she may do a brisk trade in these at the gate or back door. The recent astronomical price of potatoes brought her a handsome bonus. If the basic needs of the French national dietary are due to the genius of the chef de cuisine, much of the British diet is due to that of the countrywoman.