Robert P. Partee

The Role of Rural Public Libraries in Small Business Development

ABSTRACT Like all public libraries, rural public libraries in the Appalachian region can play a significant role in the economic development of their communities. Economic development in rural communities potentially benefit from many of the same resources and services all enjoy at public libraries, including free and public Internet access, space, education, question answering, and materials on many business-related subjects. This article reports survey findings of current activities that rural public libraries perform in one state, namely the state of Tennessee, as a case study to apply the lessons and insights to other parts of the United States. The discussion includes assessment of activities and some recommendations to streamline and stimulate all public libraries in conducting this assistance efficiently.

Small Business Perspectives on the Role of Rural Libraries in Economic Development

People living in the Appalachian region, including its rural areas, face challenging economic, social, and cultural conditions with limited financial opportunities, information poverty and unemployment, and low levels of information literacy and educational attainment. The roles played by rural public libraries in small business economic development in this region require exploratory study of representative small businesses to refocus library services and resources on their information needs and information-seeking experiences. This article proposes a user- and use-based model to represent the information context and perspectives of such businesses in the state of Tennessee as a case study in order to apply the lessons and insights to other parts of the United States. It concludes with suggestions for the blueprint design of a public library small business tool kit, an ideal resource that Tennessee’s rural public libraries can develop for small businesses in the future.

Community partnerships to further the role of rural public libraries in small business economic development: a case study of Tennessee

This brief paper identifies the community partnerships getting developed in a planning grant entitled “The Role of Rural Public Libraries in Small Business Economic Development in the Appalachian Region: A Case Study of Tennessee” (PLSB-TN) recently awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Leadership Grants for Libraries (Research Category) (October 2014 – September 2016) (URL: http://scholar.cci.utk.edu/plsb-tn). PLSB-TN involves collecting quantitative and qualitative feedback based on the needs, expectations, and experiences of small businesses and rural public libraries in the state. PLSB-TN research conducted so far includes preliminary planning activities, analyzing existing needs and feasibility, solidifying community partnerships, and developing initial work plans, blueprint, and strategic action plan prototype of a Public Library Small Business Toolkit that strengthens collaborations between various stakeholders involved. PLSB-TN is serving as a pilot case experience and assessment test-bed to expand strategies for the entire Appalachian region and other rural environments in the future.

Mapping the Changes to a Health Information Service

ABSTRACT This study used mapping software to assess the impact of changes made to a medical library’s outreach program, comparing the pattern of consumer and patient health information requests prior to and following the change. The study accomplished this by geocoding addresses of requests to the service from two time periods, importing these into Geographic Information Software, and then plotting the data on maps. Comparing the maps showed increased request density from specific geographic areas, an expanded geographic footprint from 20 to 38 counties, and evidence that outreach strategies pursued by the medical library increased patient and community engagement.

A Gap Analysis of the Perspectives of Small Businesses and Rural Librarians in Tennessee: Developments Toward a Blueprint for a Public Library Small Business Toolkit

Abstract This chapter presents a gap analysis of the perspectives of small businesses and rural librarians in Tennessee in order to develop an implementation blueprint of a public library small business toolkit, a resource that the state’s rural public libraries can create for small businesses in the future. The chapter reports on select comparison data sets collected via two exploratory online surveys with small businesses and rural public librarians, respectively, in an externally funded planning grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ National Leadership Grants for Libraries (Research category) to the School of Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee. Findings from the gap analysis of the perspectives of small businesses and rural librarians provide similarities and differences between the two stakeholder groups in terms of existing assistance needs of small businesses, information-related challenges small businesses experience, desired public library use, and information-related components of a public library small business toolkit. The study is a unique example of action research based on varied levels of participation in rural research and action, learning through collaboration, community inquiry into everyday experiences and potential impact, use of mixed methods, and the situated nature of applications and concrete outcomes. It serves as a pilot case experience and prototype assessment test bed to expand strategies for the entire Appalachian region and other rural environments in the future.

Rural Librarians as Change Agents in the Twenty-First Century: Applying Community Informatics in the Southern and Central Appalachian Region to Further ICT Literacy Training

Abstract Purpose This chapter discusses the application of community informatics (CI) principles in the rural Southern and Central Appalachian (SCA) region to further the teaching of information and communication technologies (ICT) literacy concepts in courses that formed part of two externally funded grants, “Information Technology Rural Librarian Master’s Scholarship Program Part I” (ITRL) and “Part II” (ITRL2), awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to the School of Information Sciences (SIS) at the University of Tennessee (UT). Design/Methodology/Approach The chapter documents ICT use in ITRL and ITRL2 to extend librarian technology literacy training, allowing these public information providers to become change agents in the twenty-first century. It discusses aspects of CI that influenced these two projects and shaped the training of future rural library leaders embedded in traditionally underrepresented areas to further social justice and progressive changes in the region’s rural communities. Findings The chapter demonstrates the role that CI principles played in the context of ITRL and ITRL2 from project inception to the graduation of the rural librarians with examples of tangible IT services/products that the students developed in their courses that were directly applicable and tailored to their SCA contexts. Originality/Value ITRL and ITRL2 provided a unique opportunity to apply a CI approach to train information librarians as agents of change in the SCA regions to further economic and cultural development via technology and management competencies. These change agents will continue to play a significant role in community building and community development efforts in the future.

How Do Public Libraries Assist Small Businesses in Rural Communities? An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Tennessee

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how public libraries assist small businesses in rural communities in the state of Tennessee in the United States. Tennessee’s rural residents, especially in its Appalachian counties, face debilitating economic and social challenges such as inadequate financial prospects, information poverty, unemployment and low degrees of information literacy and educational attainment. The article presents findings from interviews and focus groups with 25 public library small business liaison representatives gathering input about their needs, expectations and experiences with rural public libraries. The foci are the existing and proposed ways rural public libraries provide small business assistance and identify components of a Public Library Small Business Toolkit, an ideal resource that Tennessee’s rural public libraries can implement for small businesses in the future, with the end goal to further ways for rural public libraries to contribute towards economic development in Tennessee. Findings reveal existing roles of rural public libraries in providing physical space and resource assistance for categorized information on government, finance, insurance, taxes and rules/requirements while proposed roles extend to development of tailored skill trainings, start-up services and local information coordination. Future research considerations for public library small business liaisons are also discussed so they can extend assistance to small businesses in Tennessee and other parts of the country.

Esri’s ArcGIS for Desktop Basic with Spatial Analysis: A Review for Medical Libraries

ABSTRACT Esri’s ArcGIS Pro is one of the world’s leading geographic information systems (GIS). The abilities and features allow it to be used as both a powerful analysis tool as well as a great tool for portraying geographic information. Though the cost may be somewhat of a burden, the benefit may be well worth the investment. This article will discuss an overview of the Basic version of ArcGIS for Desktop with the Spatial Analysis tool.