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Assessment is a driving force in the library and services offered are constantly evaluated for their merit. This study seeks to review student use of an academic library during late‐night hours to determine the effectiveness of the service.

Late‐night library users were surveyed about the frequency and reasons for their late‐night library use. They were given the opportunity to voice their opinions about the value of library services provided from midnight to 2.00 a.m. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Numbers of users were tallied and student behavior was observed and noted. Websites were reviewed to determine open hours at other libraries.

The investigators found that the patrons viewed the library as a quiet, peaceful place conducive to study and placed high value on late‐night access to the library. This was confirmed by the fact that there were requests to further extend the late‐night hours and to offer access to more library space. The research established the library as a haven required by a dedicated group of students who greatly needed a late‐night place to work.

The investigators plan to extend the study of late‐night use to determine where the students go at 11.30 p.m., when all floors except first floor close. In addition, more questions will relate to student classification, area of study, late‐night safety, food, age, gender, mode of transportation, and housing. Participant recruitment will be enhanced to increase participation.

These outcomes could result in changes to the hours and services provided after midnight and have an impact on other libraries following similar late‐night practices.

There is little information in the literature about student behavior during hours after midnight. No reference was made to investigators observing student behavior first‐hand during late‐night hours.

This paper examines the rise of electronic‐commerce and its implications for quality and service delivery with particular reference to its impact on legal services. E‐commerce is growing at a phenomenal rate with more organisations offering their goods and services on‐line every day. Importantly, this growth is being matched by the number of people gaining access to the Internet in a variety of ways. E‐commerce offers both opportunities and threats to law firms. The main threat is identified as coming from on‐line competitors offering reduced prices and higher customer services. This competition is forcing law firms to change their attitude to new technology generally and the Internet in particular. A Web presence allows legal practices to be more transparent and to offer greater access to information to customers by way of improving their services. This improved communication may lead to a reduction in complaints against solicitors. The paper concludes that the Internet will have a profound effect on the way private law firms conduct business.

The concept of the “marketspace” is a powerful and exciting one. However, the papers which introduced it fail to make some of its key components clear. By analysing a number of examples, identifies the crucial features of the concept. Through considering an example from other sources, the validity of the interpretation being proposed is “tested”. Concludes that firms need to constantly consider the information that their systems collect for the purpose of attaining this greater efficiency to determine to who else and in what form it would be of value.

This paper aims to highlight how initial business models can be converted into a larger-scale solution for tapping into the emerging base-of-the-pyramid markets.

This study uses a qualitative, multi-case research design with 20 organizations tapping into the water market at the base-of-the-pyramid.

This paper explores three business models innovations: fostering value-in-context, allowing for modifiability and embracing organizational ambidexterity.

Due to our qualitative research approach, generalizability of our findings is limited.

The description of the three business model innovations offers guidance for executives to make their business models financially more sustainable in base-of-the-pyramid markets.

The water sector represents one especially interesting sector to examine business model innovations. For, among social goods, safe water remains a huge challenge to date where 700 million people remain without access to an improved water source.

Previous business model discussion in base-of-the-pyramid markets focuses on commercial goods. The authors focus on water as a social good. They demonstrate that the existing recommendations that business models in base-of-the-pyramid markets should be inclusive, complex, collaborative and scalable are mandatory, but not sufficient. In addition, business models should foster value-in-context, allow for modifiability and embrace organizational ambidexterity.

The availability and the use of touch‐screen systems for accessing a range of information in different settings in the UK, in particular from socially excluded groups, are reviewed. A literature review and consultations with stakeholders are conducted. Touch‐screens are used widely by the Department of Works and Pensions; they are used for community services on a much smaller scale. NHS Direct provides the largest number of kiosks for health information and promotion; InTouch with Health, Wellpoint Health Centres, Patient Information for Consent Systems are some other examples. Some projects that target socially excluded groups are identified. Factors that determine usage and contribute to successful usage are also identified. The majority of stakeholders express the view that kiosks should be available in a variety of locations, irrespective of their specific content and information.

This research investigates the drivers for the rental value of motorway service areas and aims to identify and analyse these factors to provide a better understanding of the retail opportunities in these locations.

The primary research looked at the reasons that clients/customers chose to visit motorway service areas. In addition, the research included two case studies of motorway service areas and a number of interviews with experts in the field.

The main findings determined that there has been an increase in turnover figures which, as motorway service area rents are mainly calculated as a base rent and percentage of turnover figure, shows there is an increase in rental value. It is also proffered that the regulations set out by the Highways Agency and Department for Transport are holding back growth of motorway service areas.

There is very little research undertaken on the rental determinants of motorway service areas as a sub‐set of the retail market. This research provides an insight into the mechanics of this sub market and identifies the drivers of rental values.

The Electronic Library recently received a disappointed e‐mail asking why the journal, with a title like that, wasn't available electronically. A very good question, which is only partially answered by the fact that the journal is 15 years old and came into the world when the Internet was half its present age and a fraction of its size, CDs were an embryonic technology and the World Wide Web just didn't exist. E‐journals are now here to stay and any publisher worth its salt is looking at how its publications, too, can be made available in this manner. There is inevitably a very large element of keeping up with the neighbours involved — no one wants to seem to lag behind the competition — and too many companies plainly are not flunking the matter through before launching their electronic products. We have no desire to go broke or to launch an unviable product in the name of progress, and perhaps that is why we have so far erred on the side of caution: but believe me, we are working on it.

The California State University Library successfully improved its library’s hours, including introducing 24-hour access, thanks in part to an assessment process that helped the University Library to develop a partnership with the students. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

In order to understand the need for expanded operational hours, students’ were surveyed on their satisfaction with current library hours, suggestions on how best to meet their actual hour needs, and interest in 24-hour access. Efforts to solicit student input included involving the student government in promoting the survey and reviewing its results, a decision that later had a major impact on the success of the project.

The survey identified days with problematic hours and which hours student suggested changes to that would best fit most students’ needs. In response to the findings, the library immediately implemented incremental changes that fit within current library resources. The survey’s most significant finding was that 94 percent of students wanted 24-hour study in the library.

An unexpected benefit of the library making immediate, incremental changes was that students could see the results of their input and feel a sense of ownership. The findings also led to the library making 24-hour access a top priority. When university funding was not available, the university’s student government approached the library with a unique proposal to include funding for 24-hour library access in their proposed student fee increase. The student body showed its willingness to invest in the library by passing the fee increase. California State University San Marco’s library began 24/5 hours in Fall 2017.