Archive for category Social Library Issues
Library Fundraising
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, work in progress on June 5th, 2012
It is important to connect librarians with resources to be successful. One area that is important for any library project is the development of a program for the activities in the library. However, if the building or organizational program does not have sufficient funds to achieve a good return – the project might not get started at all. For this reason, every librarian should consider fundraising as an opportunity and a challenge.
A good place to learn about fundraising is from some experts.
Library Advocacy – Library Fundraising Resources
The Library’s Value – Print and Digital Books Endure.
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, library technology, Social Library Issues on April 21st, 2012
The Pew Internet Project Digital Differences Report provides critical research on the role of the Internet in American life. Since 2000, it has shown that there are a big differences between those who were using the internet and those who were not. It is not trivial for some demographic groups, especially when it comes to access to high-speed broadband at home, struggle to access the net.
We believe Libraries can make a difference by increasing access to the internet, cloud resources, electronic databases and digital repositories. The main findings by Pew are as follows:
-
- One in five American adults does not use the Internet.
- The main reason is they do not think the Internet is relevant to them.
- 27% of adults living with disability are less likely to go online.
In the LA Times article, “even e-reader owners still like printed books,” the pleasure of reading endures in the digital age. According to a USC Dornsife/L.A. Times poll, 6 in 10 people say they like to read ‘a lot. It also shows that young adults read about as much as many of their elders.
Although many Californians who own Kindles, Nooks and other e-readers love their gadgets, they still prefer books the old-fashioned way — on paper. Even with sales of e-readers surging, only 10% of respondents who have one said they had abandoned traditional books. More than half said most or all of the books they read are in printed form.
It turns out that e-books create more readers not less.
The pleasure of reading endures in the digital age, even with its nearly boundless options for entertainment, according to data collected from 1,500 registered state voters.
object of meaning - the book
the language of library space
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, Space Planning on December 20th, 2011
A recent article from Inside Higher Education focuses on the need to balance quiet and active spaces in the library. Project Information Literacy study found that students minimize technology use and try to unplug from their overly distracting social networks when working on projects or studying for exams.
During our library planning studies, we have found that all libraries need environments that allow for social, group and individual study. The library plan should include:
According to “The Future of the Academic Library Symposium: Bridging the Gap, Libraries – “need to be in a state of perpetual beta to effect change.” We believe libraries need to experiment with both quiet and active space.
The University of North Carolina started a Journal of Learning Spaces that is a good place to start an analysis of library space needs. We recommend the journal as a starting point for discussion.
The Economic Value of Library Systems
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, work in progress on September 15th, 2011
An economic study developed by the Free Library of Philadelphia in 2010 is a good starting point for anyone who wants to advocate for their library. The Free Library of Philadelphia summarized four areas where the library makes an impact on its community.
1. Workforce Development – $6M
- $2.2 million in career development book-reading & lending
- $2.1 million in job-finding online activities, including workforce database usage and online job searching/prep
- $1.7 million job-readiness and workforce-related programming
The study estimates that 979 Philadelphians found jobs directly as a result of the resources provided by the Library in FY10.
979 entry-level jobs translates into $30.4 million in earned income in one year (at an average entry-level salary for Philadelphia), generating $1.2 million annually in wage tax revenue for the city
2. Business Development – $3.8M
8% of survey respondents report that they could not have started, grown or improved their business without the Free Library, resulting in an estimated 8,630 businesses that benefited from Free Library business development services.
3. Value to Homes and Neighborhoods. Homes within ¼ mile of a Library are worth, on average, $9,630 more than homes more than ¼ mile from a Library.
4. Literacy – $21.8M
- $18.4 million in literacy-related reading & lending
- $2.6 million in literacy related programming
- $818,000 in literacy-related online activities
10% of survey respondents report “ I couldnt have learned to read without the library,” meaning an estimated
10,788 people attribute their ability to read to the Free Library.
13% of survey respondents report they taught someone else to read and could not have done it without the Free Library, meaning 14,024 people attribute their being able to teach someone to read to the Library.
LINK to the STUDY
http://www.freelibrary.org/about/felsstudy.htm
Children’s Library: Example Program for the Future
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, Space Planning on July 18th, 2011
The BCPL developed a children’s library model called Storyville. It was designed to foster early literacy and school readiness skills. It was developed specifically for children birth to five.
We know through scientific research that success in school begins at birth and that the ages of birth to five are critical learning years. For this reason, we recommend this model as a beginning point. It is for librarians who are looking to be innovative with their children’s service.
The economic impact of libraries
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues on June 15th, 2011
Our team is always trying to measure the economic impact of library services. It is notoriously difficult once you get beyond broad benefits and try to pin down the actual numbers.
A new research report from Australia on the socio-economic impact of libraries, Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries, has been published, commissioned by the library network for the state of Victoria.
It uses an economic model that gets as close as anyone can to demonstrating the real economic value of public libraries. Its findings will be of interest to public libraries in the USA, UK and beyond. Please use this quantifiable economic data to back up fund raising strategies. Outlining the value of library services is very important to our profession and society.
Future of Librarianship
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, Space Planning on May 27th, 2011
The Taiga Forum developed a framework for the challenges that librarians will face in the future. The strategy developed by the group echo’s our research i.e. the changing status of library professionals and collaborative space partners.
Our work focuses on the challenges outlined by the Taiga group. For example, as higher education and its’ organization flattens, radical cooperation will be possible. We have developed learning centers with IT Help-desks, Math labs and English tutoring capabilities. We have developed flexible learning spaces that reflect the different possible activities that can take place in the library.
value of academic libraries
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, work in progress on April 6th, 2011
The Value of Academic Libraries is a subject we have been analyzing to support our academic clients. Our technique the Visual Scan, a qualitative assessment of the library environment, helps our clients determine the value of their library. This activity along with our functional programming models and experience allows our team to gain a full understanding of existing service needs and future options.
Our functional program work has led to some interesting perceptions about how students use the library. It has also allowed us to address ways to improve the environment to support academic goals.
Below is a list of web citations from ACRL. They did very good work sharing this data. We would like our visitors to have access to this knowledge.
Value of Academic Libraries – web citations
Stephen’s Lighthouse [blog by Stephen Abram]
LISNews.org [blog]
New York State Higher Education Initiative
[quotes article from The Chronicle of Higher Education about the report]
Library Journal [article]
Library Assessment Conference [cited in presentation]
Ideas [blog, cited]
http://www.snark.ca/adlib.htm
SUNY Council of Library Directors – Strategic Planning Documents
CBS Bibliothek Blog
http://blogs.cbs.dk/cbsbibliotek/?p=5407
The ‘M’ Word: Marketing Libraries [blog]
Library Boy [blog]
http://micheladrien.blogspot.com/2011/02/electronic-resources-libraries.html
Dewey’s Not Dead [blog]
Library Research [blog]
IFLA presentation by Hinchliffe & Oakleaf
Commentary from Carl Grant [blog]
American Libraries Magazine [press release]
ResourceShelf [press release]
C&RL News [article by Hinchliffe]
University of Tennessee, Knoxville [press release]
iSchool News [press release]
Association of Research Libraries [press release]
BCI Library Design [blog, press release]
AFSCME [press release]
Inside Higher Ed [article]
Library Intelligencer [blog, press release]
Learning Ecosystems by Daniel S. Christian [blog]
Human Sciences [blog]
Caribbean Connector [blog]
CMLE Info Feed [blog]
libraryassessment.info [blog]
The Scholarly Kitchen [blog, see comment #4]
Faculty Survival Guide [blog]
SCONUL : Experiences [report of publication]
Virginia Tech Reading Group [announcement of discussion]
ACRLog: After the Values Study
Digital & Scholarly [blog, press release]
Fast Company: “University Assigns Freshmen ‘Personal Librarians’” [mention in article]
Resource List: Measuring Your Impact: Using Evaluation for Library Advocacy (NNLM) [bibliography]
State Library of Queensland – Research and advocacy
Public Library Statistical Reports
Blok de bid (University of Barcelona) [blog]
Indiana University Bloomington Libraries – Library and Information Science Resources [bibliography]
Every Member an Advocate (Australian Library and Information Association) [see p.9]
International Association of Universities E-Bulletin [under National and institutional initiatives]
Erica Sum [blog]
InfoViews [blog]
Confessions of a Science Librarian
Learning in the Libraries [blog, bibliography]
National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment – Resources [under Library]
The Researching Librarian – Noteworthy Archive
Evidence Based Library and Information Practice [cited in article]
Return on Investment (Univ. of Maryland Health Sciences & Human Services Library) [cited]
University of Wisconsin colleges – Resources for Librarians
The Fresh Fruits from the Digital World: Google Opens Books to New Cultural Studies
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, work in progress on December 18th, 2010
In the Journal Science (17 December 2010: Vol. 330 no. 6011 p. 1600), a published study illustrated the Digital Library and its power. The article illustrates that E-resources and historical datasets can be used for sociological study. It were made possible by Google Doc’s and Harvard researchers. Together they “made it possible to rigorously study the evolution of culture on a grand scale.”
The value of public libraries
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, work in progress on March 12th, 2010
The value of public library service is often overlooked by the community. During the development of a capital campaign to improve the library building, it is very important to communicate the value of the library services.
One way to generate knowledge about library services and their cost advantages is to use a calculator. The Chelmsford Library developed one online for you to use. Go to: Library Use Value Calculator
You may use this calculator for survey’s and open discussions with the public. We use this information to learn more about the unique needs of the local culture and the value of the “library as place.” You may use the calculator above to communicate your value and to build an appreciation for all of the services the library provides to your community.