Anne Goulding

Editorial Libraries and Social Capital

Discusses the concept of social capital in relation to libraries. Explains the principles of social capital, emphasizing the importance of social relationships between members of a community, and outlines its characteristics and outcomes. Communities high in social capital are characterized by citizenship, neighbourliness, trust and shared values, community involvement, volunteering, social networks and civic participation which can lead to lower crime rates, better health, better educational achievement, better child welfare, more effective government and higher economic achievement. Libraries can contribute to the building of social capital by promoting the types of interaction and integration which enable social networking and by providing citizenship information resources. There are challenges, though, which libraries need to address if they are to fulfil their potential in this key policy area.Discusses the concept of social capital in relation to libraries. Explains the principles of social capital, emphasizing the importance of social relationships between members of a community, and o...

Information Poverty or Overload

Although the issue of the divide separating the information rich from the information poor tends to be thought of in terms of the distinction between developed and developing countries, there exists a comparable dichotomy within developed countries separating those with easy access to an abundance of information and those with little or no access. However, the enormous efforts being made to find solutions to this problem in the UK, at various levels of local and national government and particularly in the field of citizenship information, is tending to make available more information than citizens can easily assimilate. The serious nature of this information overload problem has led to the coining of the term ”information fatigue syndrome” (IFS), said to cause paralysis of the analytical capacity, constant searches for more information, increased anxiety and sleeplessness and self-doubt in decision making. It is concluded that those suffering from information overload or IFS are at risk of suffering the same fate as the information poor. The information poor are unable to take action because they do not have necessary information that would enable them to take control. The information rich are similarly paralyzed because of their inability to create order from all the information washing over them. It may be necessary to think in terms of the information rich, the information poor and information burdened.

Exploring the attitudes of public library staff to the Internet using the TAM

An investigation into the attitudes of public library staff in the UK towards the Internet involved use of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The use of an attitude measurement model, an amended version of the technology acceptance model in a questionnaire survey is detailed here and its value to the study in question deliberated on. Quantitative results suggest that attitudes towards use of the Internet are strongly related to usefulness, intention and actual usage. Analysis of the quantitative results suggests that staff are generally positive in their evaluations of the Internet, although a minority of staff possess negative attitudes to ICT.

Engaging with community engagement : public libraries and citizen involvement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of community engagement within a public library contextDesign/methodology/approach – The paper analyses selected literature discussing the concept of community engagement, focusing particularly on that considering community engagement activities in public libraries. Key issues are illustrated using examples from the literature and data from an interview‐based study of public library practitioners and policy makers.Findings – The evidence suggests that the public library is being positioned as a key community resource. Community engagement in public libraries includes: making the library space available for community activities; working in partnership with the voluntary and community sector as well as with other public services; involving volunteers in the delivery of library services; activities to support community involvement in various levels of decision making. The paper concludes that library services have been quite effective at involving...

Supply and demand : the workforce needs of library and information services and personal qualities of new professionals

Reports results of a questionnaire survey of 888 UK chief librarians, conducted as part of a British Library Research and Innovation Centre research project, to identify and analyse the personal qualities demanded by Library and Information Service (LIS) employers and those personal qualities that new graduate entrants are perceived to lack. Reviews the literature on the changing role of information professionals and the importance of personal factors in library and information recruitment and presents a comprehensive list of 50 desirable personal qualities arranged under five headings: characteristics needed for a user centred approach; characteristics needed for effective team work; thinking orientation; attitude to work; and style of working. Concludes that the ability to accept pressure, deal with a range of users and respond to change, are most essential for information work. The significant overlap between those qualities felt to be most essential and those perceived to be lacking raises the concern that qualities that are high in demand are also in short supply.

ICT and change in UK public libraries: does training matter?

A consideration of the implications of technological change for public library staff and managers in the UK is based on the selected results of a literature review. Recent developments affecting the growth of information and communication technology (ICT) in public libraries provide a context against which research into the effects of automation, the introduction of ICT in a variety of library environments and into society generally, are explored. The value of attitudes to ICT are questioned noting that attitudes are often seen as being important in determining the successful implementation of ICT in libraries. Training is suggested as an appropriate means of enabling staff to cope effectively with technological change. Successful training needs to appreciate that staff have different needs and so prefer different training methods. Resistance is also viewed as a natural response to change that managers should note and attempt to understand, if and when it occurs.

Joking, being aggressive and shutting people up: the use of focus groups in LIS research

While focus groups are a frequently-used research method in other disciplines, they are still something of a novelty in library and information studies, particularly in the UK Scanning the LISA I database (in December 1996) there are only 43 references to focus group and most relate to US studies. Often, focus groups are seen as a way of obtaining views on the research subject prior to the investigation proper. This paper will argue, however, that focus groups have great potential as the principle data-gathering method. This paper will discuss: what focus groups are; why focus groups should be considered an appropriate research tool in library and information services; the advantages of using focus groups; the practicalities of running a focus group session; and the type of data generated in focus groups and methods of analysis. It is concluded that focus groups are a valuable research method which simultaneously gives participants a social space in which they can voice their concerns, while allowing the researcher/moderator to control (to whatever extent) the discussion.

Libraries and Cultural Capital

This editorial discusses the concept of cultural capital and its relevance for cultural institutions and, specifically, libraries, gives an overview of the concept of cultural capital as first conceived by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu and explores the three types of cultural capital he identified (embodied, objectified and institutional). The editorial examines how libraries might be considered sites for the production, dissemination and acquisition of cultural capital, focusing on their role of facilitating access to objectified cultural capital in particular and discusses how recent uses of the term cultural capital do not adhere closely to Bourdieus theories but suggests, nevertheless, that the term is being used increasingly to justify continued government financial support for cultural services.

Part of the job: violence in public libraries

Discusses some of the issues surrounding violence in the library workplace, analysing violent behaviour in libraries and the various types of “problem users” public library staff may encounter. Discusses the results of a mail survey of public library staff. Staff from four public library authorities were surveyed, to explore the extent to which violent and aggressive behaviour by library users is a recognized problem in public libraries. The results indicate that public libraries suffer from a wide range of “problem users”. Serious incidents which involve physical assault are rare, although verbal abuse is widespread and is generally tolerated by staff who regard it as “part of the job”. Outlines possible preventive measures to reduce the problem and improve the working environment with a particular emphasis on training and customer care initiatives.

Professional Characters: The Personality of the Future Information Workforce.

Reports selected findings from research funded by the Library and Information Commission, which compared the personal qualities demanded by employers with the actual attributes of Information and Library Studies (ILS) students. Reviews the literature on previous personality assessment of ILS students and the importance of personal factors in library and information recruitment. Describes the method of personality assessment of 239 ILS students from four universities across the UK. Identifies the personality profiles of the twelve different groups tested. Explores the differences between various subgroups in terms of suitability for information work as previously defined by employers. Discovers significant gender and graduate status differences in emotional stability, dominance, self-sufficiency and social awareness.