Umut Al, Pablo Andrade Blanco, Marcel Chiranov, Lina Maria Cruz Silva, Luba Nikolaeva Devetakova, Yulianto Dewata, Ieva Dryžaite, Fiona Farquharson, Maciej Kochanowicz, Tetiana Liubyva, Andrea López Naranjo, Quynh Truc Phan, Rocky Ralebipi-Simela, Irem Soydal, David Streatfield, Resego Taolo, Tâm Thị Thanh Trần and Yuliya Tkachuk
The purpose of this paper is to report on performance measurement and impact assessment progress made in 14 countries as part of the Global Libraries initiative, starting with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on performance measurement and impact assessment progress made in 14 countries as part of the Global Libraries initiative, starting with the early country grants in Mexico and Chile. For the mature grants in Bulgaria, Botswana, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Viet Nam which were recently completed or are approaching completion, the nature of the country program is outlined, before the impact assessment work is described and some recent results and conclusions are reported. A similar approach is adopted with pilot and new grants in Colombia, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Lithuania.
Design/methodology/approach
The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those in an earlier special issue of this journal.
Findings
Where appropriate, recent country-specific survey findings are reported.
Practical implications
This paper shares Global Libraries IPA learning at country level with people in other countries who may be contemplating public library evaluation at regional, national or local level or who are interested in performance measurement and impact evaluation.
Originality/value
These cases studies reflect concentrated impact assessment and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 12 years.
Details
Keywords
ELSEWHERE in this number we list libraries which have Esent us copies of their annual reports which we are glad to have. Now and again we are able to elaborate on these, but in…
Abstract
ELSEWHERE in this number we list libraries which have Esent us copies of their annual reports which we are glad to have. Now and again we are able to elaborate on these, but in the present issue that has not been possible. We would say, however, that these reports are deserving of the attention of librarians generally, and of students at the library schools. They are records of work in progress, and they do suggest the development of library policy. The best of them are of textbook value.
Fiammetta Rocca, Chloe Finamore, Sally Stamp, Fiona Kuhn-Thompson and Oliver Dale
National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence guidelines (2009) state that low intensity psychological interventions should not be used for borderline personality…
Abstract
Purpose
National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence guidelines (2009) state that low intensity psychological interventions should not be used for borderline personality disorder. However, an emerging body of evidence suggests brief interventions such as psychoeducation may be relevant for those presenting with borderline personality difficulties. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefit of learning about thinking, emotions and relationships (LATER), a co-produced psychoeducation programme for borderline personality difficulties in a community-based setting.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants (n = 125) self-referred to LATER, a group-based psychoeducation programme delivered at the [NHS Trust] Recovery College. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the tailor-made psychological education group evaluation scale, the borderline evaluation of severity over time and work and social adjustment scale. Paired t-tests were conducted on pre- and post-scores, and effect sizes were calculated.
Findings
After LATER, participants reported a significant decrease in negative thoughts and feelings, destructive behaviours and overall borderline symptom severity, but no significant increase in positive behaviours. Significant decreases were found in areas of work and social impairment. Participants’ overall understanding of personality difficulties significantly improved. Effect sizes were small to moderate.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the study include the lack of a control group, adjustment for confounders and follow-up. Replication with a more robust methodology is needed.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the evidence for the usefulness of brief interventions for personality difficulties, particularly in the context of a stepped model of care and adds to the research on co-production.
Details
Keywords
Jennifer Hall, Tess Kay, Alison K. McConnell and Louise Mansfield
Prolonged workplace sitting can harm employee health. Sit-stand desks are a potential workplace health initiative that might reduce and break up the time office-based employees…
Abstract
Purpose
Prolonged workplace sitting can harm employee health. Sit-stand desks are a potential workplace health initiative that might reduce and break up the time office-based employees spend sitting in the workplace. However, little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of providing sit-stand desks. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study sought stakeholder employee views surrounding sit-stand desk implementation within two UK-based non-profit organisations with open-plan offices. This paper draws on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 26 stakeholder employees and 65 days of participant observations. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, and organisational cultural theory framed the study.
Findings
Stakeholders employees’ positioning of sit-stand desks as a workplace health initiative reflected their perceptions of the relationship between sit-stand desk provision, employee health and organisational effectiveness. Perceptions were shaped by the nature and context of the organisation and by occupation-specific processes. Relatively fixed (e.g. organisational structure) and modifiable (e.g. selecting products compatible with the environment) factors were found to restrict and facilitate the perceived feasibility of implementing sit-stand desks.
Practical implications
The findings offer several recommendations for workplaces to improve stakeholder employee attitudes towards sit-stand desk provision and to increase the ease and efficiency of implementation.
Originality/value
Whilst extant literature has tended to examine hypothetical views related to sit-stand desk provision, this study consulted relevant stakeholders following, and regarding, the sit-stand desk implementation process.