Ragnar Audunson

The public library as a meeting‐place in a multicultural and digital context: The necessity of low‐intensive meeting‐places

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to develop an improved conceptual framework for researching and discussing the public librarys role as a meeting‐place in a multicultural and digital society.Design/methodology/approach – The development of todays Western societies from societies dominated by one cultural canon, and where the role of the public library is to give the public access to that canon, into societies where a multitude of cultural expressions and values are tolerated and appraised, is summarized. This development is linked to the digital revolution, which opens up for increased communication but might increase a development where people live in segregated cultural niches without being exposed to other values and interests. The general challenge of creating meeting‐places with a potential of promoting that degree of cross‐cultural communication which a community presupposes is presented. Theory and research on meeting‐places and arenas for community communication are presented.Findings – The...

Rational choice and valuation of public libraries can economic models for evaluating non-market goods be applied to public libraries?

While sophisticated economic models are well-established for determining the value of non-market goods, there has been some question as to whether there may be problems connected with using these methods for determining the value of public libraries. The background to these economic models is reviewed, noting that the two major preconditions that must be fulfilled are that the method must be compatible with the presupposition of rationality, and it must be able to capture non-use values of public libraries and values not related to the immediate pursuit of individual self interest in ways which are compatible with the presupposition of rationality. The validity of these preconditions for public libraries is discussed, noting that the questions fall into three main problem areas: whether it is possible to define rational behaviour as a wider concept, including behaviour not motivated by the pursuit of self interest, whether this wider definition fits with the assumptions of ‘behavioural’ economic models, or whether the models need to be revised for a wider definition, and whether or not the methods currently available are valid for the purpose in hand. A brief presentation of the theory of rational choice is presented, followed by an examination of the concepts underlying the assumptions of individuals as economic agents seeking to maximize their utility. It is concluded that three conditions must be fulfilled for non-market methods to be useful with regard to public library valuation: they must be able to measure non-use values as well as use values, they must be capable of integrating valuation motives which extend beyond the pursuit of individual self interest, and they must not violate the assumption of rationality. Among the methods for valuing non-market goods, the contingent valuation method seems to fulfil these conditions and should, therefore, be tested in a public library context.

The complex library: Do the public's attitudes represent a barrier to institutional change in public libraries?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discusses peoples images of public libraries, and whether or not they constitute a barrier to institutional change.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on two studies carried out in two Norwegian cities, Drammen and Oslo, where this is a current topic. Focus is on discerning conservative and liberal attitudes of what a library is, and how such attitudes affect peoples perception of change. How the librarys social role is viewed by the informants is also considered. In total, nine focus groups were interviewed. In Drammen, two user groups and two non‐user groups with younger (18‐39) and older (40+) participants. The same was the case in Oslo, with one additional expert group. Each group contained 6 participants, giving a total of 54 respondents.Findings – The informants had many thoughts regarding what a library is and should be, and drew a picture of the public library as a complex institution with many tasks. They had many ideas for library develop...

The complete librarian: an outdated species? LIS between profession and discipline

Compares and analyses two approaches to structuring library and information science (LIS) education and research, the discipline oriented, and the approach which is denoted “the complete librarian”. The complete librarian designates an educational ideal aiming at integrating the different knowledge‐domains of LIS‐practice. Maintains that “the complete librarian” represents a valuable epistemological approach, which can supplement discipline‐oriented approaches, and is capable of generating knowledge that it might be difficult to grasp via discipline‐oriented approaches. Far‐reaching tendencies in education and research in general and within LIS‐education in particular, threaten the approach of “the complete librarian”. Discusses some strategies for securing the survival of the approach and its benefits.

Between professional field norms and environmental change impetuses : A comparative study of change processes in public libraries

Public libraries in all developed countries are facing change and similar challenges, which are related to profound environmental changes such as market orientation and privatization. This study probes the question: Do the established and traditional norms and standards of public librarianship structure the way these challenges are met and coped with, or are these professional standards losing their structuring power? Three metropolitan library systems representing three different levels of environmental turbulence are compared. The main conclusion is that field external, environmental tendencies decide the direction of change. Field norms do, however, count. If overlooked, they form a basis of resistance. The librarians hypothesized to be the defenders of professional values, (i.e., the librarians showing the highest degree of field activity) are more inclined to accept field external changes than their more professionally passive colleagues. The study and its findings may contribute to the arsenal of theoretic approaches within library and information science (LIS) as well as to practical public library management.

Editorial : LIS and the Creation of a European Educational Space

The Bologna process aims to create a transparent European educational space. Educational programmes in LIS throughout Europe are structured according to different models and traditions, for example, LIS as an academic discipline - information science - similar to economics, sociology or history, versus a profession-oriented perspective, or models where a PhD builds upon a Masters degree which again builds upon a BA, versus a model where an MA builds upon a BA in another subject. LIS as an academic field draws on computer science and mathematics, linguistics, the social sciences, the humanities. Different programmes make different choices from which the debate on the core of LIS stems to a large extent. This situation creates challenges to LIS in relation to its adaptation to the Bologna process. Accreditation and certification are important topics. The article recommends a process approach instead of a bureaucratic and rule-oriented one. The Copenhagen workshop on European curriculum development in LIS, which took place on the 11th and 12th of August this year, is seen as important in such a gradual process towards transparency. Europeanising national evaluations and accreditations by building up a pool of European LIS experts that national accreditation bodies can utilise when programmes are to be evaluated, is also seen as important.

How do Politicians and Central Decision-Makers View Public Libraries? The case of Norway

This article is based on qualitative intervirews with members of the Norwegian Parliament and central decision makers on how they perceive and evaluate the role of public libraries. Public libraries are viewed very positively among the politicians. They tend, however, to restrict the role of libraries to promoting the literary canon and the cultural heritage through book lending and to support education at all levels. The library’s role in promoting democracy and social equality is not very central in the politicians’ perception. Surprisjngly enough, neither is the Archives, Libraries and Museums authority perspective, only a short period after Parliament decided to reorganize the library sector according to this perspective. IFLA is invisible to the members of Parliament shortly before the IFLA-conference is going to take place in Oslo, heavily supported by public funds.

Information literacy: the case or non‐case of Norway?

The term “information literacy” does not have an exact parallel in the Norwegian language, but information policy strategies as well as educational reforms are nevertheless preoccupied with the main elements covered by the term – the ability to find and critically evaluate information within a learning and ICT‐based context. Information literacy consciousness seems to be highest in colleges and universities. Information literacy can be regarded as an essential part of education and learning, of the political goal of promoting social equality and of industrial and economic innovation and competitive ability. In the first planning documents dealing with Norway on the information superhighway, the traditional ideal of equality seemed central. Assignment of responsibility for policies in this field to the ministry of industry and trade may have led to the values of equality being somewhat toned down at the expense of innovation and competitive ability.

Perceived outcomes of public libraries in Finland, Norway and the Netherlands

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the perceived benefits of public libraries and their structure in the major areas of life between Finland, Norway and the Netherlands. Design/methodology/approach – The data were based on representative samples of Finnish, Norwegian and Dutch adult library users. In Finland a mail survey was used and in Norway and the Netherlands web surveys were used for data collection. The distribution of the proportion of those benefiting from the library in various areas of life at least sometimes was compared across countries. The structure of benefits was compared across countries by factor analysis. Findings – The results showed that the level of the nineteen benefits observed was considerably higher, and the range of benefits remarkably broader in Finland compared to Norway and the Netherlands. It is likely that the greater supply of library services in Finland compared to the other two countries explains the differences in benefits derived from the public library...

Patterns of perceived public library outcomes in five countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the perceived benefits of public libraries between five culturally different countries: Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, South Korea and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The data were based on representative samples of Finnish, Norwegian, Dutch, Korean and American adult library users. In Finland a mail survey was used and in other countries web surveys were used for data collection. The distribution of the proportion of those benefiting from the library in various areas of life at least sometimes was compared across countries. The pattern of benefits was compared across countries by forming four outcome indexes from the 19 benefit areas. The differences in the outcomes between the countries were explained by demographics and library use variables. Findings – The intensity of perceived benefits differ considerably, with the Finns and Americans reporting a higher level of benefits than the South Koreans, who in turn derive more profit than the Norweg...