Journal articles on the topic 'Functions of Libraries'

Showing the specificity of the work of the contemporary library, and the variety of its tasks, which go far beyond the lending of books. The specificity of the library’s public relations concerning different aspects of its activity. The internal and external functions of the library’s public relations and their specificity. The significant question of motivating the social environment to use the offer of libraries, and simulta-neously the need to change the negative perception of the library, which discourages part of its poten-tial users from taking advantage of its services. The negative stereotypes of librarians’ work perpetuated in the public consciousness and their harmful character. The need to change the public relations of libra-ries and librarians with a view to improving the realization of the tasks they face. Showing the public relations tools which may serve to change the image of librarians and libraries with particular emphasis on social media. This article is a review article, highlighting selected research on the librarian’s stereo-type and suggesting actions that change the image of librarians and libraries.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the availability of discovery functions on mobile devices at academic research libraries in order to determine if research libraries are providing the mobile services that students believe that they need for academic success. Design/methodology/approach – The researcher surveyed 53 academic library mobile apps and mobile web sites at Carnegie rated RU/VH universities to determine the number and variety of discovery functions available. Findings – All of the libraries had some level of research functions available, but there was a discrepancy between those that offered a full range of services and those that offered a minimal level. Research limitations/implications – Due to the transitory nature of the electronic universe, the data offered represents the state of academic library research services in a single moment in time and is subject to change. Practical implications – The research provides other libraries with a description of what comprises an adequate suite of essential services and a way to evaluate their own library’s offerings. Originality/value – This is the first study to evaluate and quantify the level of services provided by libraries at Carnegie Foundation RU/VH institutions.

Objective – To identify and examine the factors of library publishing services that facilitate scholarly communication. Design – Analysis of library publishing service programs. Setting – North American research libraries. Subjects – Eight research libraries selected from the signatories for the Compact for Open-Access Publishing Equity (COPE) Cornell University Library’s Center for Innovative Publishing; Dartmouth College Library’s Digital Publishing Program and Scholars Portal Project; MIT Libraries’ Office of Scholarly Publishing and Licensing; Columbia University Libraries’ Center for Digital Research and Scholarship; University of Michigan Library’s Scholarly Publishing Office; Duke University Library’s Office of Scholarly Communications; University of Calgary Libraries and Cultural Resources’ Centre for Scholarly Communication; and Simon Fraser University Library’s Scholarly Publishing. Methods – The authors used Roosendaal and Geurt’s (1997) four functions of scholarly communication to analyze and categorize library publishing services provided by libraries included in the study. The four functions of scholarly communication include registration, certification, awareness, and archiving. Main Results – Analysis of the registration functions provided by library publishing services in this study revealed three types of facilitating factors: intellectual property, licensing, and publishing. These include services such as repositories for digital scholarly work and research, ISBN/ISSN registration, and digital publishing. Analysis of archiving functions demonstrated that most programs in the study focus on repository-related services in support of digital content preservation of papers, datasets, technical reports, etc. Analysis of certification functions provided by these services exposed a focus on expert review and research support. These include services like professional assessment of information sources, consultation on appropriate literature and information-seeking tools, and writing or copyright advisory services. Analysis of awareness function showed search aids and knowledge-sharing platforms to be the main facilitating factors. These include services like metadata application, schema, and standards or scholarly portals enabling knowledge-sharing among scholars. Conclusion – This study identified several services offered by these library publishing programs which can be categorized as facilitators under Roosendaal and Geurt’s (1997) four functions of scholarly communication. The majority of the libraries in the study treated library publishing services as part of broader scholarly communication units or initiatives. Digital publishing (registration function) was offered by all programs analyzed in the study, while traditional peer-review services (certification function) were not. Widely adopted among programs in the study were the use of social networking tools (awareness function) and self-publishing (archiving function). The authors recommend developing services that facilitate peer review and assert the need to provide a knowledge-sharing mechanism within the academic community that facilitates the scholarly communication process.

The most efficient ways for librarians communicating with technologically literate users are examined. Cloud technologies are used to store and collaboratively use data, build web-forms, design projects, set layouts, etc. Advanced libraries have been using these technologies in their everyday practice.

While it is essential that national library functions and services are carried out, within the English-speaking Caribbean these functions can be provided by extending the role of the country's main public library. A questionnaire was administered in 1994 to 14 public libraries and one national library in the region to ascertain if public libraries performed any national library functions and if so to assess how effectively, with a view to formulating proposals as to how best this dual role could be achieved. The survey, in which 13 libraries participated, revealed that a majority of the libraries did in fact act as de facto national libraries, performing many of the functions of traditional national libraries, though there were major deficiencies (e.g. only seven had legal deposit, and only four produced national bibliographies). A structure for a dual-function Public/National Library is proposed, with three functional divisions (Public Library Services, Technical Services, and National Heritage) and a powerful National Library Services Board.

The author examines the problem of transformation of libraries as a social institution; changing functions in the circumstances of society informatization; chances for library’s keeping its social mission when changing functionality; social and ethical aspects of changes in libraries. Positive and negative aspects of such events as Biblionight and similar, are highlighted. The author argues that the digital epoch could not wipe out the book culture but it has transformed it and provided new opportunities for development. She also focuses on training librarians and current problems of the profession. The quality of education must be measured by actual competences of the alumni rather than the set of continuously changing standards and newly invented competences. To fill the gap between theory and practice, internships in the best libraries, master classes delivered by library experts, their enrollment in teaching library disciplines, introduction to technological novelties at the universities’ libraries will help. She also argues that, instead of spontaneous optimization, the libraries need a structured strategy of development while preserving all the best experience.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applications of social media in digital libraries and identify related problems. Design/methodology/approach – A total of ten institutions were selected from the following cultural institution types – public libraries, academic libraries, museums, government, and international organisations – to represent a variety of digital libraries developed or sponsored by different types of organisations. The social media applications were examined with regard to the following aspects: types of social media, placement of social media, updating social media, types of interactions, and types of functions. Findings – This study presents the types of social media applications in the selected digital libraries and further characterises their placements, update frequency, types of interactions between digital librarians and users, as well as various types of roles they played. In the process of analysis the authors also identified problems related to lack of standards, creating two-way communication channels, and the lack of education functions. Research limitations/implications – Further research needs to expand the selection of institutions and digital libraries to have more representative sampling, in particular institutions that are outside North America and Europe. It is also important to perform in-depth content analysis of social media to identify patterns and functions that social media perform. Moreover the authors will compare specific social media tools, such as Twitter, Facebook, etc., across institutions. In order to explore fully the reason why certain social media tools are implemented in digital libraries, it is important to survey or interview digital librarians of digital libraries in different types of cultural institutions. In addition users can be interviewed to solicit their perspectives about their usage of social media in digital libraries. Originality/value – This study not only examines the current status and problems of social media application in digital libraries but also offers suggestions on making good use of social media to connect users and digital libraries.

THE POST-WAR ACHIEVEMENTS OF POLISH SCHOLARSHIP IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF LIBRARY SCIENCEThe author of the paper explores the development of the concept of Polish post-war library science as an academic discipline and demonstrates the wealth of achievement in librarianship studies. Theoretical reflections and the on-going discussion about the scope of library science provide a background for a presentation of practical solutions applied in the work of libraries. The author presents library science concepts as well as authors of important publications contributing to the development of the discipline, practical librarian tasks and academic training of librarians. In addition, she analyses librarianship achievements with regard to characteristic, statutory tasks and functions of libraries as well as typology, showing their significance to librarianship practice in Poland and to the quality of academic training of librarians. There is also a brief description of the profile of the librarianship curriculum at the leading university-level institutions providing education to librarians.

Polish librarianship in the stalinist period (1948-1956) had to face new challenges. In the changed political and social reality, both the role of a librarian and the functions performed by public and scientific libraries had to be redefined. The profile of vocational education also changed. From the various materials (papers, guidelines of the party and departmental authorities, reports, protocols of the Polish Librarians and Archivists Union) published in professional journals of the time – „Przegląd Biblioteczny”, „Bibliotekarz” and „Poradnik Bibliotekarza” – it appears that librarians had to focus on the ideological aspect of their work, educating the reader in the socialist spirit.

The past few decades have introduced us to the Digital Natives, a generation born in the 1980s, who have been familiar with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the myriads of ICT products since the day they were born. The last decade has also made us familiar with numerous disruptive innovations and technologies that have now been so pervasive in our daily lives and have ‘threatened’ many established practices on how we conduct our lives and businesses, such as ride-sharing (Uber, Grab, etc.), accommodation-sharing (AirBnb), and the blockchain technology that has been applied in more and more aspects of life, with Bitcoin as one of its applications in the crypto currency sector. Those changes and disruptions have not spared the higher education (HE) sector. Nowadays HE institutions need to take into account the characteristics of the Digital Natives, and various disruptive innovations and technologies if they want to remain relevant and stay ahead of the competition in the sector. All aspects of HE – including academic libraries, are not immune to these changes and disruptions. In the past, academic libraries have tended to play their roles as the storehouse of information and the provider of space for individual learning. The advent of the Digital Natives and disruptive technologies have led some in the HE sector to argue that academic libraries would soon lose their relevance since nowadays information can be accessed digitally from anywhere and at any time. People who believe this line of thinking have given some examples. One of them is the demise of Blockbuster (movie rental) stores in the United States (US) with the emergence of online video/movie streaming services. However, many forget that libraries, including academic libraries, also have their social functions besides their traditional roles as an information storehouse and individual learning space. Due to their social functions, libraries have even been viewed as one of the most democratic spaces that societies have. This is especially true in the case of public libraries, but also – to some extent – true for academic libraries, where they also perform their functions as community hubs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of public libraries in the context of Big Data. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method approach was used and had two main data collection phases. A survey of public libraries was used to generate an overview of which professional roles connect public libraries with Big Data. Eight roles were identified, namely, educator, marketer, data organiser, data container, advocator, advisor, developer and organisation server. Semi-structured interviews with library directors and managers were then conducted to gain a deeper understanding of these roles and how they connect to the library’s overall functions. Findings Results of the survey indicated that librarians lack a proper comprehension of and a pragmatic application of Big Data. Their opinions on the eight roles are slightly stronger than neutral. However, they do not demonstrate any strong agreement on these eight roles. In the interviews, the eight roles attained more clear support and are classified into two groups: service-oriented and system-oriented roles. Originality/value As an emerging research field, Big Data is not widely discussed in the library context, especially in public libraries. Therefore, this study fills a research gap between public libraries and Big Data. In addition, Big Data in public libraries could be well managed and readily approached by citizens in undertaking such roles, which entails that public libraries will eventually benefit from the Big Data era.

The article outlines general characteristics of the originality of forming valeological functions in a school library. The paper objective is to study peculiarities of the valeological support of library-information activities in school libraries, as well as the specifics analysis of their library and cultural-educational work aimed at developing the health culture of this activity subjects The author consistently reveals the peculiarities of forming the valeological function of school libraries under conditions of the information society development and dissemination of information-telecommunication technologies in libraries. The article describes cultural-educational activities of libraries directed to develop the health culture not only in readers (schoolchildren, their parents, teachers), but in librarians themselves. The author applies both general scientific methods of research (analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, generalization, abstraction, comparative, structural-functional methods, method of system analysis, etc.) and special ones (method of analysis of analog objects, information processing, grouping). While researching the author concludes about necessity of the the following: to equip educational libraries technically; to update and strengthen the information base and book stocks of school libraries; to ensure the access of libraries to information resources, in particular the Internet; to form a unified electronic database of school library collections; to develop a form of resource integration with other educational libraries; to create a standing order on the status of libraries in basic schools; to develop a system for improving the skills of school library staff; to organize special training for school librarians to master their knowledge and skills of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the school librarian must be trained according to a separate professional specialization. The social life development requires librarians to know not only the valeology bases, but the ability to navigate in information technologies, school curricula and training courses diversitys. Modern problems of information education and forming a high level of valeological culture can be solved only by combining the efforts of general education institutions and school libraries, teachers and librarians. Pedagogical experience shows that knowledge on the health formation and preservation is a necessary and insufficient factor in students' personality development. To influence the behavior, informative methods should be combined with life skills of effective work and rest, physical activity, rational nutrition, an ability to analyze health issues and make appropriate decisions. Thus, forming health culture through library-information activities provides arming school readers and librarians with knowledge on social and individual health and applying certain information technologies in their activities.

Libraries of the interwar period on the pages of Przegląd KsięgarskiThe article depicts libraries and their functions in the interwar period as presented in Przegląd Księgarski, a paper which was the press organ of the Union of Polish Booksellers. The research has been limited to the 1918/1919–1920, 1922–1928 and 1935–1939 years’ issues. A total of 381 papers on library issues have been analyzed. The vast majority of the content was connected with Polish libraries. The articles primarily echoed bookselling-related developments in the Polish librarianship. As regards the foreign libraries, the papers mainly discussed private and public libraries, and library acts. The research has revealed a wide range of the topics addressed. Those, inter alia, involved statistical data pertaining to collections of books and readers, functions and tasks of the libraries of different types, library organization and basic procedures with special reference to the library collections policy. The articles also dealt with such major issues as the idea of the national library, legal deposit and the legal basis for library services. The reader could also find some information on union activity of the librarians, vocational training programmes and library press.

In this essay, the authors will discuss the similarities and differences of knowledge management and librarianship. They will propose and articulate the emerging role of academic and research libraries as the integrators of digital knowledge and research methods among academic enterprises, a role which they believe will transform librarians to knowledge professionals. The authors will try to answer or stimulate further discussion of multi-dimensional and provocative questions such as: What are the critical differences between knowledge management and library and information science? Will emerging functions or services, such as digital scholarship centers and research data management practices, allow academic and research libraries to more fully perform the functions of knowledge management? Will libraries’ emerging role in the knowledge creation ecosystem help define their new value proposition, from a collection-centric to knowledge-centric service model? How should libraries position library-based digital scholarship centers to be digital integrators for enterprise-wide digital learning, research, and knowledge creation?

Objective – To examine the human resources environment in Canadian libraries in order to assess readiness to accommodate change and to identify opportunities for human resources planning. The “8Rs” of the study were defined as recruitment, retirement, retention, remuneration, repatriation, rejuvenation, re-accreditation, and restructuring. Design – This study was undertaken in three phases over nearly three years through the use a variety of methods including literature review, analyses of existing data (Statistics Canada and library school graduate data), telephone interviews (with senior library administrators), focus groups (with representatives from Canadian Association of Research Libraries, Canadian Urban Libraries Council and Alberta Association of Library Technicians), print surveys (library institutions) and web-based surveys (of professional librarians and paraprofessional library staff). Setting – Canadian libraries that are not component branches of a system, and that employ professional librarians. Subjects – Stage I: 17 senior library administrators participated in telephone interviews and three focus groups were conducted. Stage II: Surveyed library administrators representing institutions. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure geographical representation from each of Canada’s provinces and territories. Full census participation was conducted for members of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council. The print survey instrument was distributed to 1,357 subjects; 461 completed surveys were returned (response rate of 34% with results for the total sample accurate within plus or minus 3.8 per centage points, 95 times out of 100). Stage III: Surveyed professional librarians and paraprofessional staff. Multi-stage random sampling was used to ensure representation of library staff from all library sectors and sufficient sub-sample sizes. Of the 12,472 individuals in the sampling frame, 8,626 were notified of their selection to participate in the web-based survey. Corrections were made to e-mail addresses and 7,569 e-mail invitations with the survey URL were sent successfully. Of the 8,626 potential respondents, 3,148 librarians and paraprofessionals participated (for a response rate of 37%). A non-random Canada-wide call for participation was distributed to library staff who had not been represented in the sampling frame via the listservs of 56 library associations. This provided an additional 1,545 respondents and the total sample size increased to 4,693 for a confidence interval of plus or minus 1.2%, 95 times out of 100. The non-random data from the Canada-wide call was kept in a separate dataset file. Methods – Stage I began with a literature review and analysis of existing Statistics Canada and library school graduate data. Three focus group sessions with representatives from Canadian Association of Research Libraries, Canadian Urban Libraries Council and Alberta Association of Library Technicians were held and in-depth telephone interviews were conducted in May 2003 with 17 senior library administrators. Transcripts were thematically coded and summarised. The interview guide is available as Appendix E of the report. The results of Stage I were used to inform the design of the two survey instruments (Stages II and III). Stage II was a 17-page print survey informed by insights gathered in Stage I and was sent to library directors in the summer of 2003. The print mail-out of the institutional survey was sent to libraries that employed at least one librarian and were not a component branch of another system. A copy of the institutional survey is available as Appendix C of the report. Stage III was a web-based survey of librarians and paraprofessional library staff undertaken in the summer of 2004 using random and non-random sampling methods. This survey was developed from insights gathered in Stages I and II. A copy of the individual survey is available as Appendix D of the report. Main results – The analytical focus of the 275-page report is on the broad Canadian library sector. Data and analysis are provided by type of library, type of staff, and by geographical regions where sufficient response rates have allowed reporting. Although the role of the paraprofessional is examined in many sections of the report, the principal focus is on the professional librarian. Nine sections of the report present results, analysis and strategic human resource planning implications. Highlights for the broad Canadian library environment are briefly described below. Each section of the report provides further breakdown by library sector, type of position, career stage and other variables that provide significant insight. Workplace Demographic Characteristics (Section C) This section provides demographic information about those in supervisory or management roles (62% of librarians), union density (67% of librarians and 79% of paraprofessional staff), longevity in career, part-time employment, and gender, along with other characteristics. Results conclude that visible minorities and Aboriginal staff are under-represented across all types of libraries and that few libraries recognise the credentials of immigrant librarians. Recruitment to the Profession and to the Organization (Section D) Positive exposure to libraries and librarians is the best predictor of librarianship as a career choice and there were no significant differences in the original motivations for choosing the professional librarian career between new professionals and senior librarians. In response to the open-ended question about motivation for choosing librarianship, none of the librarian respondents (n=1,823) indicated leadership, managing libraries or supervising others as their reason (p. 52). Many respondents indicated reasons for choosing the profession that are in alignment with the values of librarianship, but few indicated reasons that reflect the real nature of the librarians’ role. The average age of new librarian recruits is 37 (with little variation between sectors). Thirty per cent of paraprofessionals are interested in pursuing an MLIS degree; 29 per cent are not interested because they are satisfied with their current role. The major barriers for paraprofessionals wishing to pursue the MLIS degree are inadequate or unrecognised credentials (21% - although 45% of paraprofessionals have an undergraduate degree), geographic distance (33%), lack of money (48%), and lack of time (49%). Eighty per cent of libraries report that the major barrier to recruiting is budget constraints; other barriers include small size of library (60%), organizational hiring freeze (54%), inadequate librarian pay (54%), geographic location (52%), inadequate pool of qualified candidates (51%), and inadequate pool of interested candidates (50%). The ten most important and difficult-to-fill competencies when recruiting varied significantly for each sector: leadership potential, ability to respond flexibly to change, and ability to handle high-volume workload were the three highest-ranked competencies across all libraries. Retirement (Section E) Canadian libraries experienced librarian retirements (11% of total current workforce) and paraprofessional retirements (7% of total current workforce) between 1997 and 2002. During this period, 79 per cent of librarians retired before age 65. Forty per cent of librarians over age 50 estimate that they will retire between 55 and 60. Only 9 per cent of libraries have a succession plan. Staff Retention: Inter- and Intra-organizational Mobility (Section F) Librarians are satisfied with their work and stay in their organization because they like the job (85%), co-workers (84%), and workplace (79%). Seventy-seven per cent of senior librarians and 87% of senior paraprofessionals have been at their current library for more than 10 years. Sixty-nine per cent of librarians believe they are qualified to move to higher level positions, but 69% of institutions state that limited librarian turnover contributes to a lack of promotional opportunities. Education (Section G) Seventy-five per cent library administrators agree that MLIS programs equip graduates with needed competencies, but 58% recommended that the programs provide more management, business and leadership training. Seventy-six per cent of administrators believe that they have little or no input into curriculum content of MLIS programs. Overall evaluation of MLIS education by recent librarian entrants is not positive. Only forty-four per cent indicated that the program provided a realistic depiction of the job, while only 36% said the program provided a realistic expectation of work in their library sector. Recent librarian entrants (67%) were satisfied with the overall quality of their MLIS program, but few indicated that their program provided them with the necessary management skills (25%), leadership skills (20%), or business skills (12%) for their position. Recent library technician entrants were more satisfied (81%) with their programs’ success in providing general skills (87%), and providing a realistic depiction of the job (72%). Continuing Education (Section H) New librarians (72%) need a significant amount of ongoing training, but only 56% believe that their institution provides sufficient training opportunities. Only 30% of libraries have a routine method for determining training needs of librarians and fewer (13 %) have an evaluation method for training outcomes. In most cases, about half of those who received training reported that it improved their job performance. Quality of Work and Job Satisfaction (Section I) Librarians and paraprofessionals are satisfied with their jobs (79% for each) and librarians (72%) and paraprofessionals (61%) agree that their salary is fair. Most libraries offer a wide range of benefits to their employees, including life insurance (95%), pension plan (92%), and medical benefits (88%). Librarians (80%) and paraprofessionals (70%) are satisfied with their benefits. Although a low percentage of librarians agreed that they have little job stress (24%) and only 39% found their workload to be manageable, 62% of librarians agree that their work allows work, family and personal life balance. The statistics are slightly more positive for paraprofessionals. There is a gap between the desire to be treated with respect (98% for all workers) and the perception that respect is conveyed (77% of librarians and 75% of paraprofessionals). A similar gap exists between desire to be involved in decision-making and actual involvement. The two most important factors for job satisfaction for all library workers are respectful treatment and a job that allows them to learn new skills and grow. Numerical Librarian Demand-Supply Match (Section J) Libraries hired more librarians than they lost in 2002, for a net three per cent increase. Many library administrators believe that there will be a five-year increased demand for librarians (77%) and paraprofessionals (81%). The short-term supply (next 5 years) of new librarians to replace departures due to retirements is predicted to have the capacity to fill 98 per cent of the current librarian positions; the capacity to replace library technicians is 99 per cent. The long-term supply (next 10 years) of new librarians to replace departures due to retirements is predicted to have the capacity to fill 89 per cent of the current librarian positions; the capacity to fill technician positions is identical. These predictions are based on no growth in the number of positions in the future. Match Between Organizational Job Function Demand and Individual Staff Supply of Skills, Abilities, Talents, Interests (Section K) Libraries report that increased use of information technologies (87%) and re-engineering (61%) have contributed the greatest change in the roles of librarians. Libraries report that more librarians have been required to perform a wider variety of tasks in the past five years (93%) and that this trend will continue over the coming five years (94%). A high percentage of libraries (86%) reported that over the past five years librarians have been expected to perform more management functions and 56% of mid-career and senior librarians believed this had occurred. Libraries (88%) believe that this trend will continue; only 44% of librarians indicate interest in performing management functions. Mid-career and senior librarians report that job stress has increased over five years ago. Requirements to work harder (55%), perform more difficult tasks (56%), perform a wider variety of tasks (69%), and perform more managerial functions (56%) are the contributing factors. The performance of a wider variety of tasks and more difficult tasks was significantly related to the assessment by librarians that their jobs were more enjoyable, interesting, rewarding and challenging. Institutions (78%) reported the increased need for paraprofessionals to perform librarian tasks over the past five years and believe that this will continue (77%). Only 28% of paraprofessionals believe they are currently required to perform more librarian tasks. Conclusion – The need to confirm the existence and magnitude of the crisis that will be created by upcoming retirements in Canadian libraries was a primary motivator for this study. Conclusive results were obtained that should inform each sector and geographic area in Canada. The percentages of staff over the age of 55 (librarians: 25%; paraprofessionals: 21%) is much greater than that of the Canadian workforce (11%). If there is no growth in the number of positions needed, there will be no short-term supply-demand crisis to fill the gaps left by retirements. There will be a librarian and technician shortage in ten years (a shortfall of 11% of the current supply) and a more significant crisis if the predicted growth in staffing is factored in. Recruitment to the librarian and technician professions is critical and the paraprofessional staff may be a potential pool of future MLIS candidates if the accessibility issues associated with the programs are addressed. Only nine per cent of organizations have a succession plan in place. There is great opportunity for the development of strategic solutions. In response to the open-ended question about motivation for choosing librarianship, no respondent indicated leadership, managing libraries or supervising others as their reason. This is of concern when 62% of librarians today work in a managerial role. Management and leadership skills are a significant concern for recent graduates, administrators, and librarians, with all indicating that the workplace needs are greater than the current preparedness. More cooperation with MLIS programs and professional associations is essential to ensure that leadership and management skill development are supported through the curricula and continuing education planning. Organizations must also develop and support a culture where leadership is encouraged and expected, and recognised. There is a need for further development of continuing education opportunities, and training needs assessment and outcome assessment programs may be beneficial. Paraprofessionals and new librarians are less satisfied with the workplace training opportunities available to them than librarians in later stages of their careers. Role change will continue in libraries and planning will be essential to ensure that restructuring reflects the competencies that will be needed in the new mix. Workload and job stress appear to be rising and will require careful monitoring. There may be opportunity to define roles for “other” professionals in libraries. Library staff have a tendency to stay in their institution for much of their career, making decisions in the recruitment and hiring processes of critical importance. Loss of employees due to turnover is not a problem for most libraries, but the lack of turnover has affected the promotional opportunities for those who desire upward mobility. An interesting recommendation was made that two or more libraries may realise both cost savings and benefits through the sharing of staffing resources. If issues surrounding credentials can be addressed, there may be a potential pool of future immigrant librarians.

Purpose To describe how a personal librarian program at a large university developed, has evolved, and continues to function. This paper aims to assist other librarians in developing their own personal librarian programs. It will also assist librarians who are working to connect to students. Design/methodology/approach To produce this paper, internal documents were reviewed, existing data were investigated, those who assisted in the development of the program were consulted and literature on personal librarian programs was reviewed. Findings Personal librarian programs can be an efficient way to connect to students and can create awareness about library services, especially without a formal orientation for new students. The personal librarian program discussed here connects the library to a large number of students with little time and effort. Planning is important in developing a working program. Practical implications Librarians can use this article to understand how a personal librarians program functions and how it can benefit their libraries. The paper emphasizes revising an existing program to work more effectively and using planning documents and assessment to help an outreach program run smoothly. Originality/value This paper details how a personal librarian program was developed and has evolved as well as how the program functions. The value is in the ways in which the program has been revised and has evolved and in the role that planning has taken in creating an effective program.

The article surveys the sociocultural principles of the functioning of film libraries and archives in terms of the evolution of the film archive sphere, mainly as exemplified by the history of the FIAF, whose ideology and practical activity the new trends in this field reflect.

The article deals with the history of the toy libraries in our country. The coincidenceof functions of toy library and library is mentioned. Domestic priority in the creation and development of the term “game library” and in the work of game library is emphasized.

The article provides a brief overview of the history of the beginning and development of libraries: from the oldest library of Ashurbanipal, in whose collection books were clay cuneiform tablets to the recognized world’s best multifunctional city library of Helsinki with modern equipment. The author hadn’t task to create a detailed chronology of the history of libraries development. Author focused on not only to public libraries, but also to University libraries, since University libraries have always been the flagships of librarianship. The important role of national libraries in the formation of statehood is mentioned. The websites of the MSU Scientific Library, the Russian National Library, and the Central City Library of Helsinki Oodi (Finland) were analyzed. The influence of the invention of printing on libraries is noted. The history of library’s functions expansion is considered: from the function of protection book heritage to the function of support of readers. The role and significance of the library in educating the masses is noted. The author mentions the ideological component of educational activities of libraries in Soviet Russia. The author speaks about the serious impact of global technological changes that took place in the XXI century and the introduction of digital technologies in library’s activities, and the search for new forms of library’s work. Conclusions were drawn about the direction in which libraries are being transformed as a socio- cultural institution. Author relied on the scientific works of Boris F. Volodin, Alexey G. Glukhov and other researchers in this field, while preparing this article.

Innovation and change are perennially hot topics in libraries: traditional library services are being rethought in response to emerging needs. At The Ohio State University (OSU) Libraries, a cross-departmental team responded to a new emphasis on assessment and outreach by using the circulation module of our integrated library system (ILS) to measure the use of special collections and archives materials. This endeavor enabled us to streamline workflow and document our successes, increasing knowledge across the libraries about circulation functions and practices. This project's findings may apply at other institutions to assist librarians in planning and implementing such a project.

The article is devoted to the matters related to determination of functions of the regional libraries: universal, research, children's, youth libraries and libraries for the blind. There are substantiated the methodological principles allowing to organize the system of functions in the conditions of diversity of approaches and designations, proposed in the dedicated print media, as well as there are identified the directions of actualization of functions in the modern circumstances.

BIBSAM is an office within the Royal Library of Sweden, dealing with the coordination and development of Swedish research libraries. Cooperation between research libraries is traditionally highly developed in Sweden. However, the decentralization of higher education, and the delegation of library funding from the government to individual universities and colleges, has directed more attention to local functions and services. Charges for interlibrary loans are one logical consequence. The system of national resource libraries enables a small number of libraries, each of them central within its respective subject area, to maintain and develop services to other libraries. Collection development does not form a central part of the system. The idea of national coordination has to be seen in an international perspective, and BIBSAM's work increasingly reflects this. Reforms of higher education, economic crisis, rapid technological progress, and internationalization impose radically increased demands on libraries and librarians. By means such as conferences, seminars, etc. BIBSAM assists in developing competence and competitiveness.

The article deals with the role of the scientific libraries in ensuring principles of academic integrity as a component of higher education quality. The basic principles of academic integrity (honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility) have been analyzed. The importance of these principles in the academic environment has been substantiated. The participation of the scientific libraries in raising awareness of plagiarism, correct citing using APA and MLA has been covered. Librarians’ possibility to do much more in ensuring academic integrity has been found out. The role of the scientific libraries as data quality hubs has been highlighted and their functions as centers where much of the institution’s research and publishing come together. The role of a librarian in promotion of academic integrity practices has been stated in the article. The importance of understanding internal and external factors that cause academic dishonesty has been stressed. The experience of Ukrainian scientific libraries in ensuring the principles of academic integrity has been studied. The role of the Ukrainian Library Association in realization of principles of academic integrity has been stated. starting in 2016, the Ukrainian Library Association has created the project «The Culture of Academic Virtue, the Role of Libraries» which is supported by the US Embassy in Ukraine. Representatives of various scientific libraries that are directly interested and involved in observing academic integrity in their institutions can take part in this project. The acquisition of competencies in the observance of academic integrity has been recognized as a long process of training and improvement. The beginning of the Movement for Academic Integrity in Ukraine has been highlighted. The role and experience of libraries in ensuring the principles of academic integrity with be the subject of further research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the training of college librarians, academic and management staff, IT managers and students on how to organise, manage and use a user-friendly library. In Uganda, as in many countries, the problem is that school and/or college libraries are managed by librarians who may have good cataloguing and management skills, but who do not have the pedagogic skills and knowledge of the school curricula that are necessary for librarians to be able to guide and mentor both teachers and students or organise curriculum-related activities or facilitate research. The development of user-friendly libraries contributes in improving education quality through nurturing the interest of students and teachers in literacy activities and active search for knowledge. Under the stewardship of the Belgium Technical Cooperation and the Ministry of Education in Uganda, library stakeholders were trained on how to put users – rather than themselves – in the centre of the library’s operations and introduced to active teaching and learning methodologies and activities with emphasis on getting engaged in transforming spaces, services, outreach to users and collections. Several measures, short and long term were taken to address the gaps limiting the performance of the librarians. Given the disparities in the trainees’ education level and work experience, the training was delivered in seven modules divided into three units for over eight months in 2015. By the end of the training, trainees developed unique library strategic plan, library policies and procedures, capacity to use library systems, physical design and maintenance systems, partnerships, library structure and staff job descriptions. Design/methodology/approach To effectively engage the participants each topic was conducted using active teaching and learning (ATL) methodologies, including: lecture with slides and hands-on practice – each topic was introduced in a lecture form with slides and hands-on exercises. The main goal was to introduce the participants to the concepts discussed, offer opportunities to explore alternative approaches, as well define boundaries for discussion through brainstorming. The question-answer approach kept the participants alert and to start thinking critically on the topic discussed – brainstorming sessions allowed thinking beyond the presentation room, drawing from personal experiences to provide alternatives to anticipated challenges. The goal here was for the participants to provide individual choices and approaches for real life problems; group discussions: case study/ scenario and participant presentations – participants were provided with a scenario and asked to provide alternative approaches that could solve the problem based on their personal experience at their colleges. By the end of the group discussion, participants presented a draft of the deliverable as per the topic under discussion. More so, group discussions were an excellent approach to test participant’s teamwork skills and ability to compromise, as well as respecting team decisions. It was an opportunity to see how librarians will work with the library committees. Group discussions further initiated and cemented the much-needed librarian–academic staff – college management relationship. During the group discussion, librarians, teaching staff, ICT staff and college management staff, specifically the Principals and Deputy Principals interacted freely thus starting and cultivating a new era of work relationship between them. Individual presentation: prior to the workshop, participants were sent instructions to prepare a presentation on a topic. For example, participants were asked to provide their views of what a “user-friendly library” would look like or what would constitute a “user-friendly library”; the college library of HTC-Mulago was asked to talk about their experience working with book reserves, challenges faced and plans they have to address the challenges, while the college librarian from NTC-Kaliro was asked to describe a situation where they were able to assist a patron, the limitations they faced and how they addressed them. Doing so did not only assist to emotionally prepare the participants for the training but also helped to make them start thinking about the training in relation to their libraries and work. Take-home assignment: at the end of each session, participants were given home assignments to not only revise the training material but also prepare for the next day training. Further the take-home assignments provided time for the participants to discuss with their colleagues outside of the training room so as to have a common ground/ understanding on some of the very sensitive issues. Most interesting assignment was when participants were asked to review an article and to make a presentation in relation to their library experiences. Participant reports: participant reports resulted from the take-home assignments and participants were asked to make submission on a given topic. For example, participants were asked to review IFLA section on library management and write a two-page report on how such information provided supported their own work, as well as a participant report came from their own observation after a library visit. Invited talks with library expert: two invited talks by library experts from Consortium of Uganda University Libraries and Uganda Library and Information Science Association with the goal to share their experience, motivate the participants to strive higher and achieve great things for their libraries. Library visitation: there were two library visits conducted on three separate days – International Hospital Kampala (IHK) Library, Makerere University Library and Aga Khan University Hospital Library. Each of these library visits provided unique opportunities for the participants to explore best practices and implement similar practices in their libraries. Visual aids – videos, building plans and still photos: these were visual learning aids to supplement text during the lectures because they carried lot of information while initiating different thoughts best on the participants’ past experience and expertise. The training advocated for the use of ATL methodologies and likewise similar methodologies were used to encourage participants do so in their classrooms. Findings Addressing Key Concerns: Several measures, both long and short term, were taken to address the gaps limiting the performance of the librarians. The measures taken included: selected representative sample of participants including all college stakeholders as discussed above; active teaching and learning methodologies applied in the training and blended in the content of the training materials; initiated and formulated approaches to collaborations, networks and partnerships; visited different libraries to benchmark library practices and encourage future job shadowing opportunities; and encouraged participants to relate freely, understand and value each other’s work to change their mindsets. College librarians were encouraged to ensure library priorities remain on the agenda through advocacy campaigns. Short-term measures: The UFL training was designed as a practical and hands-on training blended with individual and group tasks, discussions, take-home assignments and presentations by participants. This allowed participates to engage with the material and take responsibility for their own work. Further, the training material was prepared with a view that librarians support the academic life of teaching staff and students. Participants were tasked to develop and later fine-tune materials designed to support their work. For example, developing a subject bibliography and posting it on the library website designed using open source tools such as Google website, Wikis, blogs. The developed library manual includes user-friendly policies and procedures referred to as “dos and don’ts in the library” that promote equitable open access to information; drafting book selection memos; new book arrivals lists; subscribing to open access journals; current awareness services and selective dissemination of information service displays and electronic bulletins. Based on their library needs and semester calendar, participants developed action points and timelines to implement tasks in their libraries at the end of each unit training. Librarians were encouraged to share their experiences through library websites, Facebook page, group e-mail/listserv and Instagram; however, they were challenged with intimate internet access. College libraries were rewarded for their extraordinary job. Given their pivotal role in the management and administration of financial and material resources, on top of librarians, the participants in this training were college administrators/ management, teaching and ICT staff, researchers and student leadership. Participants were selected to address the current and future needs of the college library. These are individuals that are perceived to have a great impact towards furthering the college library agenda. The practical nature of this training warranted conducting the workshops from developed but similar library spaces, for example, Aga Khan University Library and Kampala Capital City, Makerere University Library, International Hospital Kampala Library and Uganda Christian University Library. Participants observed orientation sessions, reference desk management and interviews, collection management practices, preservation and conservation, secretarial bureau management, etc. Long-term measures: Changing the mindset of librarians, college administrators and teaching staff is a long-term commitment which continues to demand for innovative interventions. For example: job shadowing allowed college librarian short-term attachments to Makerere University Library, Uganda Christian University Library, Aga Khan Hospital University Library and International Hospital Kampala Library – these libraries were selected because of their comparable practices and size. The mentorship programme lasted between two-three weeks; on-spot supervision and follow-up visits to assess progress with the action plan by the librarians and college administration and college library committee; ensuring that all library documents – library strategic plan, library manual, library organogram, etc are approved by the College Governing Council and are part of the college wide governing documents; and establishing the library committee with a job description for each member – this has strengthened the library most especially as an advocacy tool, planning and budgeting mechanism, awareness channel for library practices, while bringing the library to the agenda – reemphasizing the library’s agenda. To bridge the widened gap between librarians and the rest of the stakeholders, i.e. teaching staff, ICT staff, college administration and students, a college library committee structure and its mandate were established comprising: Library Committee Chairperson – member of the teaching staff; Library Committee Secretary – College Librarian; Student Representative – must be a member of the student Guild with library work experience; and Representative from each college academic department. A library consortium was formed involving all the four project supported colleges to participate in resource sharing practices, shared work practices like shared cataloguing, information literacy training, reference interview and referral services as well a platform for sharing experiences. A library consortium further demanded for automating library functions to facilitate collaboration and shared work. Plans are in place to install Koha integrated library system that will cultivate a strong working relationship between librarians and students, academic staff, college administration and IT managers. This was achieved by ensuring that librarians innovatively implement library practices and skills acquired from the workshop as well as show their relevance to the academic life of the academic staff. Cultivating relationships takes a great deal of time, thus college librarians were coached on: creating inclusive library committees, timely response to user needs, design library programmes that address user needs, keeping with changing technology to suite changing user needs, seeking customer feedback and collecting user statistics to support their requests, strengthening the library’s financial based by starting a secretarial bureau and conducting user surveys to understand users’ information-seeking behaviour. To improve the awareness of new developments in the library world, college librarians were introduced to library networks at national, regional and international levels, as a result they participated in conferences, workshops, seminars at local, regional and international level. For example, for the first time and with funding from Belgium Technical Cooperation, college librarians attended 81st IFLA World Library and Information Congress in South African in 2015. College libraries are now members of the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries and Uganda Library and Information Science Association and have attended meetings of these two very important library organisations in Uganda’s LIS profession. The college librarians have attended meetings and workshops organized by these two organisations. Originality/value At the end of the three units training, participants were able to develop: a strategic plan for their libraries; an organogram with staffing needs and job description matching staff functions; a Library Committee for each library and with a structure unifying all the four project-support Colleges; a library action plan with due dates including deliverables and responsibilities for implementation; workflow plan and organisation of key sections of the library such as reserved and public spaces; furniture and equipment inventory (assets); a library manual and collection development policy; partnerships with KCCA Library and Consortium of Uganda University Libraries; skills to use Koha ILMS for performing library functions including: cataloguing, circulation, acquisitions, serials management, reporting and statistics; skills in searching library databases and information literacy skills; skills in designing simple and intuitive websites using Google Sites tools; and improved working relationship between the stakeholders was visible. To further the user-friendly libraries principle of putting users in the centre of the library’s operations, support ATL methodologies and activities with emphasis on getting engaged in transforming spaces, services, outreach to users and collections the following initiatives are currently implemented in the colleges: getting approval of all library policy documents by College Governing Council, initiating job shadowing opportunities, conducting on-spot supervision, guide libraries to set up college library committees and their job description, design library websites, develop dissemination sessions for all library policies, incorporate user-friendly language in all library documents, initiate income generation activities for libraries, set terms of reference for library staff and staffing as per college organogram, procurement of library tools like DDC and library of congress subject headings (LCSH), encourage attendance to webinars and space planning for the new libraries.

Functions and tasks of pedagogical libraries in the 21st centuryDue to their functions, pedagogical libraries are a very important point on the library map of our country. The authors conduct their reflections on the tasks and functions of the pedagogical library in the 21st century, referring to the proposals included in the literature on the subject. In the course of theoretical analysis, using their own observations from work in this type of book, they propose their own catalog of the functions of pedagogical libraries.

It is not sufficient if the modern library is limited to its traditional functions in view of the mountainous knowledge that is added every year. The new technique of information is dissemination of knowledge which has acquired enormous importance. The agricultural libraries in India also provide user education to PG & PhD scholar. The present study deals with current status of user’s education in SKUAST-K library system. Present survey report of five faculties libraries where user education is a part of University teaching curriculum. This programme is mostly conducted by Asstt librarian of faculties with aim that to make user more self reliant in use of library material (both soft and hard copies) of literature available in libraries

Libraries are increasingly marginalized by the information construction of electronic resources retrieval platform. This calls for a novel social service model (SSM) for libraries to enhance the overall value of their various service functions. Therefore, this paper explores the SSM and value evaluation of libraries under sharing economy. Firstly, the SSM of libraries was broken down into a base layer, a physical layer, and a virtual layer, and an evaluation index system (EIS) was constructed for the social sharing service (SSS) value of libraries. Next, the SSS value of libraries was evaluated and predicted, and the functional value of the SSM of libraries was analyzed in detail. The proposed prediction model was proved effective through experiments, and the SSS functions of libraries were valued.

The study investigated awareness and use of cloud computing; its implications by libraries in selected academic libraries in Imo State, Nigeria. Four research questions were asked and answered. Also, three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 significance level. Survey research design was adopted. The total population of the study was 53 librarians, comprising professional staff of the library in Imo State University, Owerri, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. The sample size was the entire population; hence the census enumeration sampling technique was employed. Rating scale was used for data collection. Data collected were presented in tables and column charts, and analyzed using mean, standard deviation. Testing of hypotheses was done using F-ratio (ANOVA) at the significance level of 0.05. Findings reveal that there is certain level of awareness on cloud computing technologies and models in the libraries studied. It was also discovered that cloud computing technology were used by libraries in the institutions studied, and economy of resource cost effectiveness and file sharing are some of the major positive implications of librarians adoption cloud computing technologies. However security and privacy, multiple taxation were also identified as major negative implications of cloud computing adoption by the librarians in discharging their functions in the libraries. Based on these findings, recommendations were made.

Harvard University is a decentralized university, with each of its nine faculties basically responsible for its own financial well-being. The library operates within the framework of this decentralization. The term ‘Harvard University Library’ therefore has two different meanings. In one seise it refers to those who are responsible for carrying out certain functions where coordination is required. Specifically, the University Library provides a unified catalogue for the c.90 library units throughout the university. It also manages the Harvard Depository, which helps to ease the space problem, and provides certain preservation services to the decentralized libraries. The Harvard University Archives is a University Library institution, and there are also University Library functions in the areas of personnel and publications. The decentralized library system began to be developed in the 19th century. Not only do the libraries not share common funding or administration; they have varied purposes and types of reader. Short-term access for outsiders is possible in almost all of the libraries. A distinguishing feature of the library is its international collections, whose development began to be emphasized at the very aid of the 19th century. The library's digital initiatives are largely aimed at providing better service to the library's readers.

Abstract Public and school libraries in Brazil have not yet been universalized. Many are in a precarious state, and their functions are often confused. In order to demonstrate that such reality persists, some projects that were submitted to an Official Announcement (call for proposals), called “Construindo uma Minas Leitora” (Building an active reading Minas State), issued by the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for the establishment of public libraries, were selected and analyzed. Most of the projects evaluated showed that the function, target public, collection, and services offered by public and school libraries are often confused. Based on the literature and basic documents used in the formulation of the concepts of public and school libraries, it was found that the lack of public policies related to these two types of libraries leads to a vicious circle of lack of experience and knowledge in these libraries. Thus, the same precarious and inadequately structured existing models are used. Such situation, which results from the lack of public policies since the birth of the Brazilian nation, have persisted into the 21st century.

Purpose – This paper aims to present an exploration of the potential utilisation of different information and communication technologies (ICT) in Indian academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach – A survey method was used for the collection of data. A structured questionnaire, containing close-ended questions, was sent by postal mail to 30 librarians of the Central University Libraries in India, of which 15 questionnaires were returned. Findings – Academic libraries in India have mostly been involved in applying traditional ICT-based solutions for the management of various library functions and services, particularly for organising and retrieving information. Use of modern ICT-based tools of knowledge creation and sharing such as web discovery tools, blogs, wikis, Real Simple Syndication feeds, social networking and social bookmarking seems uncommon in academic libraries. Lack of trained staff in ICT, low level of ICT skills among library users, unawareness of potential benefits of ICT and inadequate ICT infrastructure were found as the major barriers of ICT applications in academic libraries. Practical implications – Academic libraries in India are still in the early stage of understanding the importance of modern ICTs. Librarians should renovate existing library environment and develop knowledge and skills among their staff in the fields of computer programming, website or portal development, hardware maintenance and metadata or e-resource management for providing quality information services to their users. Originality/value – Because no empirical study on the use ICT-based knowledge management (KM) tools in academic libraries in India has been carried out before, this study closes this gap and provides guidelines for practising librarians, policy makers, management and the University Grants Commission of India to promote the use of ICTs in libraries, and to design courses of information communication technology and related skills.

Denmark has seen a major reorganization of national library functions in the last few years. A National Library Authority has been set up to exercise overall planning and coordination. Specifically national functions are performed by two libraries, the Royal Library in Copenhagen (which also acts as a university library for the University of Copenhagen in the humanities and social sciences), and the State and University Library in Aarhus, but several subject specialist libraries also play national collecting and document supply roles. A modernization project took place in the Royal Library in the latter half of the 1980s, with a view to clarifying its functions and of improving its performance; many of the proposals have already been acted upon. Recent developments include a change in the body responsible for the national bibliography, a review of preservation needs, a start on retrospective conversion, and the construction by the National Library Authority of a budget model (now partly adopted) to achieve fairer allocation of funds among libraries.

In 1996 the national libraries of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA took part in a study of their experiences with strategic management. A literature review had identified 15 key aspects of strategic management. Respondents were asked their views of the importance of each aspect, and how satisfied they were with the library's achievement of it. In every case the importance attached to the aspect was greater than the library's satisfaction with achievement. Each library was also asked to nominate from a checklist the reason or reasons why it had produced its first strategic document. The centrality of the digital information environment to the core functions of national libraries has been highlighted by the study.

The paper is a conceptual research work which discusses the functions, characteristics, types, development stages, relevance and challenges of information system and design in libraries and information centres. It described information system and design in line with librarians’ perspective. The primary aim is to contribute to the existing knowledge on the conceptual framework in designing library and information systems for library and information work. The concepts discussed and the recommendations offered will be useful to the staff and stakeholders that are involved in the design and use of information systems in Nigerian libraries and information centres.

Transformation vectors for libraries as a social institution in the community based on digital information communications are examined. The necessity for changes is substantiated; library functions for the future are defined; ways of reforming are proposed.

In an environment where the continued survival of national libraries is being questioned, this article looks at an example of a public library system providing national library functions. The recent creation of the National Library and Information System (NALIS) in Trinidad and Tobago is evidence that Caribbean public libraries through a process of integration and centralization of existing library services can provide a nationwide national library service while maintaining essential national library functions. The organizational structure of NALIS is presented along with an outline of the functions of the various library divisions. A brief review of the literature on the current status of national libraries precedes the discussion on NALIS.

Art libraries are plural entities in that they have multiple functions and serve a variety of users. In the United Kingdom, as elsewhere, academic art libraries provide visual resources for artists and art students; they also provide a wide range of texts for students of increasingly specialised branches of the history of art and design and of ‘visual studies’. Their librarians should collaborate with academic colleagues to develop the library to serve the institution’s needs; at the same time the institution should recognise the role of the library. The broader spectrum represented by the ‘new art history’ challenges the art library to widen its scope, although this must be done through networking as well as by means of collection development. Scholars realise that they must generally expect to have to go to the major libraries and archives for primary source material, although smaller art libraries often have valuable materials and some scholars might be encouraged to share their own research collections through the libraries of their institutions. Information technology has become the key to tracing material, but is no substitute for direct interaction with the materials themselves.

Abstract Objective – This research aimed to examine the characteristics of the current health library professional workforce in Australia. The study also sought to explore the areas of health library competency domains and job functions that may reflect progress toward a specialized digital health information capability. Methods – Health librarians’ responses to the May 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census were analysed and compared with results obtained in earlier census counts. The health librarian characteristics were also compared with other health information occupations included in the Census. Results – There were 238 usable health librarian responses. These indicate that the health librarian workforce continues to be a comparatively mature population, with substantial experience, increasing involvement in data- and technology-intensive functions, high levels of professional association membership, and participation in continuing education activities. Notably there are emerging role titles and job functions which point to a greater digital health focus in the changing work realm. Conclusion – The health librarian workforce has adapted its skills, in line with the increased digital emphasis in health information work. However, as with other health information occupational groups, it is possible that health system planners and funders are not aware of librarians’ current functions and skills. This mature workforce may undergo significant attrition and consequent loss of expertise in the next decade. Continued advocacy and strategic planning around these factors with workforce, healthcare quality, and educational organizations will be required.

The digital revolution has had a particular impact on the functioning of libraries: it has changed both the means of communicating with the users, and the nature of the service itself. In the case of academic libraries, an online presence is crucial due to the increased rate of Internet usage among their stakeholders, academics and students alike. From their perspective, library websites serve as digital gates to library services and resources. However, an academic library website may fulfil a wide array of functions and their importance can be variously prioritized. The purpose of our research was to find out which functions of academic library websites are viewed as the most important by a selected group of users: the students. To answer this question, we identified the main functions of academic library websites on the basis of desk research and designed a survey conducted among students of the University of Warsaw (Poland) and Vilnius University (Lithuania) ( n=680). The picture of users’ information needs with regard to content of the academic library website revealed by our research allows us to draw conclusions about the functions of the academic library website distinctive from those already mentioned in the subject literature. From the perspective of a user-centric approach we distinguished five functions of the academic library website: (1) supporting the usage of the collection (online and traditional); (2) promotion of culture; (3) gateway for locating information on the Web; (4) education; (5) creation of library’s online image.

Catalogers in academic libraries who belong to ALA’s Technical Services Division were surveyed to determine if and how their job functions have changed over the past ten years. The 271 respondents indicated a change from print to electronic formats, involvement of nonprofessionals in higher levels of cataloging, a trend toward outsourcing (particularly, copy cataloging and foreign-language materials), and more cataloging of specialized items, audiovisual materials, and digital documents by professional librarians. The latter now use their expertise to edit problematic records, engage in managerial tasks, catalog and attempt authority control of Internet resources, do Internet training or Web page design, and use HTML. More and more catalogers are involved in activities formerly in the domain of systems librarians (selecting and implementing catalog products, database maintenance, etc.).