1. Libraries in Operation LIS 505 Introduction to Library & Information Studies January 25, 2010

2. 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

3. 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 2 nd Ed. 1989)  “The books contained in a library; a large collection of books.” 3

4. 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

5. What is a Library? (ODLIS) http://lu.com/odlis/index.cfm 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 non- print 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

6. 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. 7 th ed. Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited. 6

7. Basic Functions of Information Transfer  Identification Location of items to add to collection  Reviews  Publishers  Vendors  Jobbers  User requests 7

8.  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

9.  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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14.  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

15. 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  Book carts 15

16. 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

17. Basic Functions of Information Transfer Securing Items ACQUISITION SELECTION ORGANIZATION DISSEMINATION Cataloging/Indexing Processing Identification Interpretation Utilization Storage Document Retrieval 17 Collection Development

18. Human Resources Finance INPUTS OUTPUTS Management Library Services Selection Acquisition Organization Dissemination 18

19. What is a Library?  Utilitarian  Study hall  Research center  Activist/advocate  Information dissemination 19

20. Other Issues to Consider…  Acquisition  Preservation  Storage 20

21. 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

22. Library Jobs: Public Services Provide direct service to users Reference Subject specialists Circulation ILL Special departments (eg, a/v) Programming (Intranet, etc.) ??? 22

23. Library Jobs: Technical Services  Technical services  Collection development  Acquisition  Processing (e.g. cataloguing, indexing)  Current Awareness Service  Conservation/preservation  Systems 23

24. Library Jobs—Support Services Maintenance – heating, lighting, plumbing, cleaning Personnel – hiring, training Public relations – marketing, etc. Security 24

25. Trends Affecting Libraries:  Budgetary issues Downsizing of staff and/or services Outsourcing of tasks  Paradigm shifts Progress in development of electronic access 25

26. Paradigm Shift: Technology Issues  Technology has changed the way technical services operate but not their basic functions! 26

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. Types of Libraries  National  Public  University/college  School  Special 30

31. 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

32. 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

33. National Libraries  Found in almost every country  National role  National deposit/copyright http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq- general.html#what http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq- general.html#what  Selection/retention policy  User community  Research function pre-eminent 33

34. 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

35. 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

36. National Libraries: Roles & Issues  Financial and physical challenges  Preservation role  Role as professional leaders  Attitude towards professional librarians? 36

37. National Libraries: Challenges  Budgets  Costs  Space  It  Security  Access 37

38. 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

39. Academic Libraries  Support teaching  Support research  Provide study spaces  Centralization versus area/branch libraries  Preservation role  Inter-institutional collaboration 39

40. School Libraries/Media Centers: Roles  Curriculum support Projects Reading/language Educational  Information literacy—Teaching role Access, evaluation, utilization of sources. 40

41. 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

42. Public Libraries: Roles Multiple roles:  Information  Recreation  Education  Culture 42

43. Public Libraries: Characteristics  Service to individual versus corporate information services  Local information services  Library boards (exception: Quebec)  Publicly funded  Central library/branch libraries 43

44. Public Libraries: Issues  Fiscal  Censorship  Problem patrons  Volunteers  Fees for services  Usage levels  Elected library boards 44

45. 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

46. Special Libraries Variety – but normally serve a special and restricted user community  Corporate  Medical  Legal  Government (could be a separate category)  Miscellaneous 46

47. Special Libraries: Issues  Importance to parent organization  Corporate culture  Restricted budgets  Copyright/ Intellectual Property issues 47

48. Librarian Ranks (CLA)  Librarians (professionals) – MLS  Library technicians – library diploma programs (CEGEP, Community College)  Library assistants  Library clerks - shelving, signing out  Teacher librarians 48

49. Related Organizations: Collaborators  Publishers  Subscription agencies  Book stores  Library automation vendors  Database producers  Online vendors 49

50. Related Organizations: Competitors  Internet (?) Reduces or eliminates need for libraries/ librarians? Incorporated into present library environment  Book stores  Video stores  ??? 50

51. Related Organizations: Parallel Organizations  Archives  Records management departments  Information research organizations  Information consultants 51

52. 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