1. INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS -- A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF INFORMATION SERVICE TO BUSINESS IN JAPANESE PUBLIC LIBRARIES --
S. Tamura, Keio University
M. Miwa, National Institute of Multimedia Education
Y. Saito, Meiji University
M. Koshizuka, Gakushuin Women’s College
Y. Kasai, Tamagawa University
M. Matsubayashi, University of Tsukuba
N. Ikeya, Palo Alto Research Center

2. OVERALL GOALS OF THE PROJECT
To develop a conceptual framework for understanding effects of a library service and then
To examine them in business information service

3. OBJECTIVES OF THIS PAPER
1. To develop a framework for studying the effects of the business information service, based upon the literature review and the survey of the current practices of the service
2. To examine the general notion of librarians about users, uses and values (effects) of the service

4. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND (1)
Taylor’s Value-Added Approach
Source: Taylor, R. S. (1986). Value-Added Processes in Information Systems. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

5. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND (2)
Normann & Ramirez’s Theory of Value Constellation
Value Chain → Value Constellation
(From one way transmission to joint production
and networked communication of values)
Source: Normann, R. & Ramirez, R. (1994). Designing Interactive Strategy: from Value Chain to Value Constellation. Chichester, UK: John Wiley.
Huotari, M.-L. & Chatman, E. (2001). Using everyday life information seeking to explain organizational behavior. Library and Information Science Research, 23(4),

6. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT
library
user community
user-librarian interaction a b c
Figure. Image of the Interactions and Information Sharing in the Service
a: Information Sharing among Librarians
b: Information Sharing between User and Librarian
c: Information Sharing in the User’s Community

7. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT
Needs, Uses and Values in Each Interaction
a: Among Librarians
Images of users, uses and values
Values = Enhancements

8. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT
Needs, Uses and Values in Each Interaction
b: Between User and Librarian
Problems and needs of the user;
Relevance of information offered
Values = Negotiations

9. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT
Needs, Uses and Values in Each Interaction
c: In the User’s Community
Information and values
Images of the library and libraries
Values = Uses

10. FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT
Main Problem of The Project:
To find consistencies and inconsistencies among these three conceptions of value

11. RESEARCH QUESTIONS (1st Stage)
1) What kind of services is currently provided in business information service in Japanese public libraries?
2) What kind of users and uses do librarians expect, and have in reality?
3) What kind of values do librarians think users get from the service?

12. Table. Number of Libraries Visited
METHODOLOGY
A series of field trips (Jul ～ Jan. 2006)
Hok-
kaido
To-
hoku
Kanto
Chubu
Kan-
sai
Chu-
goku
Kyu-
shu
Total
Prefec-ture
0/1
2/2
1/2
3/3
10/14
City,
Town
1/1
0/0
6/9
2/3
12/17
8/11
3/5
5/5
22/31
Table. Number of Libraries Visited
Legend 1. Column: Region ; Row: Type of library
2. Number of libraries visited / Total number of libraries offering the service

13. METHODOLOGY A focused group interview
Objective: To get the general understanding of librarians in charge of business reference service.
Date: 6 Feb. 2006
Participants: 6 librarians and a moderator

14. INTERIM FINDINGS Typology of the Services Provided
a. Minimal Service Group
A couple of shelves or a corner with
shelves for business material
b. Reference Service Group
a + reference service
c. Maximal Service Group
a/b + consultation service

15. INTERIM FINDINGS
Factors Affecting the Level and Content of the Service
・ Levels of General Reference Service
・ Relationships with Other Agencies
・ Characteristics of Local Community

16. INTERIM FINDINGS Varieties of Service
Under the same name, different services are provided for different people

17. INTERIM FINDINGS Diverse Images of Users by Librarians
Men with Business Suits (Type b in a com-
mercial area)
Wives Looking for Part-time Jobs (Type b
in an area with low-income families)
People Planning to Start Business (Type c)
People Who Want to Do Something with
Their Extra Time (Type c)

18. INTERIM FINDINGS Value Specially Provided by Libraries As
Perceived by Librarians
・ Organised rich collection (Group a and b)
・ Openness and comfort of use (Especially
Group c)

19. CONCLUSION
Framework: Complex Process of Value Creation in Business Reference Service
Modification of Framework Needed
Importance of Stakeholders
Images of Users Vary in Accordance with Values Created in This Process

20. COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS STUDIES
Kanagawa Prefectural Library. Jidai o tsukuru toshokan [Libraries make the epoch] [Japanese]
Shizuoka City Miyuki-cho Library. [Survey on business information service] [Japanese]

21. COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS STUDIES
Those who get consultation service and those who get reference and other library service may be different in their needs and expectations to libraries.
Need to be examined