Libraries in Operation
LIS 505
Introduction to Library &
Information Studies
January 25, 2010
Objectives

To appreciate some different definitions of a
library. Exactly what is a library?

To understand what takes place in a typical
library to enable information services to be
offered to users.

To become aware of current trends affecting
libraries.

To identify and examine different types of
libraries.
2
What is a Library?
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (1973)

“A place set apart to contain books for reading,
study or reference.”
(Same definition found in Oxford English Dictionary 2nd Ed. 1989)

“The books contained in a library; a large
collection of books.”
3
What is a library?
Some more definitions . . .

“Keepers of books, keepers of print and paper on the
shelves…keepers also of the records of the human
spirit.” (Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of Congress, 1941)

“A collection of people whose aggregate function is
that of acquiring, organizing and disseminating
knowledge and/or entertainment.” (B. Shuman, 1992)

“. . . a place that contains collections and staff
dedicated to selecting, acquiring, making accessible,
and preserving those collections and to providing
services (assistance and instruction) that enable the
optimal use of those collections.” (M. Gorman, 1998)

“…we assert that the library is, at root, a collection of
information selected for use of, and made useable for,
a particular community…That is, proverbially like
politics, all collections are local.” Keller, Reich, Herkovic
(2003)
4
What is a Library? (ODLIS)
http://lu.com/odlis/index.cfm
From the Latin liber, meaning "book" . . . A collection or
group of collections of books and/or other print or nonprint materials organized and maintained for use
(reading, consultation, study, research, etc.).
Institutional libraries, organized to facilitate access by a
specific clientele, are staffed by librarians and other
personnel trained to provide services to meet user
needs. By extension, the room, building, or facility that
houses such a collection, usually but not necessarily
built for that purpose. . .
5
9 Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Identification
 Selection
 Acquisition
 Organization
 Preparation

Storage
 Interpretation
 Utilization
 Dissemination

Evans, G.E., Intner, S.S., and Weihs, J. (2002) Introduction to technical
services. 7th ed. Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited.
6
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Identification
 Location of items to add to collection





Reviews
Publishers
Vendors
Jobbers
User requests
7

Selection
 Deciding which items will be added
 Budget
 Circulation statistics
 User needs—popularity6
 Subject needs
 New items (editions)
 Quality—Impact factor
 ILL-is it available elsewhere?
 Local items
 Reviews
8

Acquisition
 Securing the items
 Jobbers
 Donations/gifts/grants/fundraising
 Collection policy
 Vendors
 Budget
 Space/physical restrictions
 Subscriptions/licenses (electronic resources)
 Technological capabilities
 Legal issues
9
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Organization
 provision of intellectual access to local and
remote collections
 Cataloging
Copy cataloging
 Original cataloging
 Combination of both
Indexing—pathfinders
Display



10
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Preparation
 Readying the items for storage that will allow
easy retrieval.




Spine labels
Security cases for media
Security magnetic tape
Binding journals/soft covers
 Covering dust jackets






Identification stamp
Repairing
Archival preservation
Barcodes/date stamp cards
Punch cards
Magazine sleeves
11
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Storage
 Housing the prepared items.
 Bookshelves/media storage shelves/display
shelves/display cases
 Servers for databases
 Map cases
 Magazine racks
 Filing cabinets
 Microfilm readers
 Annex
12
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Dissemination: Establishing a system that
allows for the use of items.











Network
Catalog/classification system
Signage/map of library
Reference librarian
Brochures
Sectioning of physical space
Website
Inter Library Loan
Circulation
Computer work stations
Disability assisted devices (e.g. reading machines,
etc.)
13

Interpretation: Assisting end-users in locating
appropriate materials to meet their needs










Reference librarian/virtual chat/School library media
specialist
Technology professional
Subject librarians
Workshops/tutorials/classes
Story hour
Book clubs
Brochures/flyers/exhibits/displays
Visiting authors/speakers
Website
Bibliographic instruction
14
Basic Functions of Information Transfer

Utilization

Providing equipment and space to allow staff and
end-users to make effective use of the items in the
collection










Computer hardware
Schedules
Tables, chairs, desks, couches, etc.
Stationery supplies
Designated areas in the library
Video equipment
Carrels
Equipment for special groups (e.g. toys for children)
Photocopier/printers/fax machine
15
Book carts
Technical Services: Some
Definitions

“...services that provide access to
information existing in some published
form.” Horny (1980) qtd. in Godden, P. (1991, p. 1)

All the tasks carried on in a library that are
concerned with the processing of library
materials in order to make them accessible
to the users of the library.” Gorman, M. (1998, p. 3)
16
Basic Functions of Information Transfer
Identification
SELECTION
Document Retrieval
Securing Items
ACQUISITION
Collection Development
Cataloging/Indexing
ORGANIZATION
Processing
Storage
DISSEMINATION
Interpretation
Utilization
17
INPUTS
Selection
Finance
Acquisition
Human
Resources
Organization
Management
Dissemination
OUTPUTS
Library
Services
18
What is a Library?





Utilitarian
Study hall
Research center
Activist/advocate
Information dissemination
19
Other Issues to Consider…

Acquisition

Preservation

Storage
20
Library Jobs:

Boards (of various kinds)
 Set policy, formulate strategic plans, may
fund raise

Administration
 Responsible for operation of library:
personnel, finances, planning, policy
implementation
21
Library Jobs: Public Services
Provide direct service to users







Reference
Subject specialists
Circulation
ILL
Special departments (eg, a/v)
Programming (Intranet, etc.)
???
22
Library Jobs: Technical Services

Technical services
 Collection
development
 Acquisition
 Processing (e.g. cataloguing, indexing)
 Current Awareness Service
 Conservation/preservation
 Systems
23
Library Jobs—Support Services




Maintenance – heating, lighting, plumbing,
cleaning
Personnel – hiring, training
Public relations – marketing, etc.
Security
24
Trends Affecting Libraries:

Budgetary issues
 Downsizing of staff and/or services
 Outsourcing of tasks

Paradigm shifts
 Progress in development of electronic access
25
Paradigm Shift: Technology Issues

Technology has changed the way
technical services operate but not
their basic functions!
26
Paradigm Shift
Technology: Possible Results









Results: Positive
A larger pool of information
Easier access to information—electronic resources
Faster
Wider audience/different audience
Cheaper—e.g. copy cataloging
Social networking—globalization
Saves on physical space
Benefits of multi-media learning
27
Paradigm Shift
Technology: Possible Results








Negative
Learning curve
Misinformation
Marginalization or disregard for other formats
Digital divide
Replacing jobs previously done by humans
Less face-to-face contact/less sense of
community
Plagiarism/intellectual property/copyright issues
28
Budget Issues: Possible Actions & Results
Action: Outsourcing
 Cataloging
 Processing of items (e.g. binding, barcodes, etc.)
 Self-checkout—circulation
 Reference
Possible Results:
 More free time for other duties
 Saves money


Quality control
Language barrier
29
Types of Libraries





National
Public
University/college
School
Special
30
Libraries in the U.S.: Some Statistics

Estimated 122,356 libraries

Approximately 9,000 public libraries


Branches: 7,500+
Over 3,600 academic libraries (affiliated with
post-secondary institutions)
Less than 4-year (approx, 1,300)
 4-year+ (approx 2,200)

31
Libraries in the U.S.:
Some Statistics (cont’d)

Over 99,000 school libraries
Public: 81,920
 Private: 17,100
 Bureau of Indian Affairs: 160


Around 11,000 special libraries (medical,
corporate, law, etc.)
Special: 8,900+
 Armed Forces: 289
 Government: 1,150

Source: ALA Library Fact Sheet #1 (found at www.ala.org)
32
National Libraries



Found in almost every country
National role
National deposit/copyright




http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faqgeneral.html#what
Selection/retention policy
User community
Research function pre-eminent
33
Library of Congress: Mission

The Library's mission is to make its resources
available and useful to the Congress and the
American people and to sustain and preserve a
universal collection of knowledge and creativity
for future generations.
Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from:
http://www.loc.gov/about/
34
National Library and
Archives of Canada




To preserve the documentary heritage of Canada
for the benefit of present and future generations;
To be a source of enduring knowledge accessible
to all, contributing to the cultural, social and
economic advancement of Canada;
To facilitate in Canada cooperation among
communities involved in the acquisition,
preservation and diffusion of knowledge; and
To serve as the continuing memory of the
government of Canada and its institutions.
Excerpt from NLC-BNC web site (http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/)
35
National Libraries: Roles & Issues




Financial and physical challenges
Preservation role
Role as professional leaders
Attitude towards professional librarians?
36
National Libraries: Challenges






Budgets
Costs
Space
It
Security
Access
37
Academic Libraries
“…to advance learning, teaching, and research in
higher education.”
(excerpt from ACRL mission statement found at
http://www.ala.org/ACRL)



Information
Education
Research
38
Academic Libraries






Support teaching
Support research
Provide study spaces
Centralization versus area/branch libraries
Preservation role
Inter-institutional collaboration
39
School Libraries/Media Centers: Roles

Curriculum support




Projects
Reading/language
Educational
Information literacy—Teaching role

Access, evaluation, utilization of
sources.
40
School Libraries/Media Centers: Issues






Importance of library to parent organization
(School Board)
Lack of funding
Role of volunteers
IT: opportunity or threat?
Censorship issues
Access issues
41
Public Libraries: Roles
Multiple roles:




Information
Recreation
Education
Culture
42
Public Libraries: Characteristics





Service to individual versus corporate
information services
Local information services
Library boards (exception: Quebec)
Publicly funded
Central library/branch libraries
43
Public Libraries: Issues







Fiscal
Censorship
Problem patrons
Volunteers
Fees for services
Usage levels
Elected library boards
44
Special Libraries/Librarians: Roles

…Special librarians are information resource
experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package,
and disseminate information to facilitate accurate
decision-making in corporate, academic, and
government settings.
Excerpt retrieved September 9, 2009 from:
http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/AssnProfile/index.cfm
45
Special Libraries
Variety – but normally serve a special and
restricted user community
 Corporate
 Medical
 Legal
 Government
(could be a separate category)
 Miscellaneous
46
Special Libraries: Issues

Importance to parent organization

Corporate culture

Restricted budgets

Copyright/ Intellectual Property issues
47
Librarian Ranks (CLA)





Librarians (professionals) – MLS
Library technicians – library diploma
programs (CEGEP, Community College)
Library assistants
Library clerks - shelving, signing out
Teacher librarians
48
Related Organizations: Collaborators






Publishers
Subscription agencies
Book stores
Library automation vendors
Database producers
Online vendors
49
Related Organizations: Competitors

Internet (?)





Reduces or eliminates need for libraries/
librarians?
Incorporated into present library environment
Book stores
Video stores
???
50
Related Organizations:
Parallel Organizations




Archives
Records management departments
Information research organizations
Information consultants
51
Library Issues:

Financial problems – in both public and private
sector (cost of resources)

Information society – impact of electronic
information – threats and opportunities

Library without walls
52