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This exploratory study, a Ph.D. dissertation completed at the University of Western Ontario in 2013, examines the materially embedded relations of power between library users and staff in public libraries and how building design regulates spatial behavior according to organizational objectives. It considers three public library buildings as organization spaces (Dale & Burrell, 2008) and determines the extent to which their spatial organizations reproduce the relations of power between the library and its public that originated with the modern public library building type ca. 1900. Adopting a multicase study design, I conducted site visits to three, purposefully selected public library buildings of similar size but various ages. Site visits included: blueprint analysis; organizational document analysis; in-depth, semi-structured interviews with library users and library staff; cognitive mapping exercises; observations; and photography.

Despite newer approaches to designing public library buildings, the use of newer information technologies, and the emergence of newer paradigms of library service delivery (e.g., the user-centered model), findings strongly suggest that the library as an organization still relies on many of the same socio-spatial models of control as it did one century ago when public library design first became standardized. The three public libraries examined show spatial organizations that were designed primarily with the librarian, library materials, and library operations in mind far more than the library user or the user’s many needs. This not only calls into question the public library’s progressiveness over the last century but also hints at its ability to survive in the new century.

Some libraries and information services are quite definitely user‐centred; some think they are but are not always; some seem to be designed for librarians rather than users. The purpose of this monograph is to encourage the development of libraries to meet the perceived needs of users — I hope it will be found useful by librarians and information workers as well as by students.

The purpose of this article is to explore the views of library staff on the effectiveness of an online training module in disability awareness and to evaluate the appropriateness of this method of delivery for staff development in an academic library.

In total, 14 library staff participated in a five week web‐driven training module at the University of Dundee Library using the institutional virtual learning environment (VLE). Results of a pre‐ and post‐study quiz were analysed to evaluate any change in participants’ awareness of disability matters. Opinions of staff on the effectiveness of the training programme were obtained via questionnaire.

Following the programme there was an increase in participants’ awareness and knowledge of the subject. Library staff commented favourably on the value and effectiveness of the module.

All the participants in this study were employees of one Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Scotland. An extension of the study could be developed by making the course available to library staff at other HEIs and exploring the value of the programme to these participants and their employers.

Highlights the value of using an institutional VLE to deliver accessible and flexible online learning opportunities for staff in academic libraries.

Offers a possible solution to staff development needs of academic institutions seeking to meet the requirements of disability equality legislation to ensure disabled users are treated fairly and with the support they require.

Mobile technologies (MT) have been attracting the attention of academic library stakeholders for some time, as it is considered a strong communication channel that can offer advanced library services. Furthermore, MT can offer a number of flexible options for library users. Accordingly, the overarching aim of this research is to investigate the potentials of implementing MT within academic libraries in public universities in Jordan from library staff viewpoint. Exploring library staff expectation of MT to enhance library services is another aim. It is also important to investigate the effects of external factors such age, job title, educational level and experience on library staff perception of MT use and role in academic libraries in Jordan.

Using a case study design, a questionnaire was developed and disseminated to all library staff (n = 174) within ten public universities. Some 121 responses were received.

The study indicates that there is a high level of awareness of the advantages of using MT in academic libraries in Jordan. However, the research also reveals that, although library staff are aware of the role and value of MT within the academic library environment, MT has not yet been fully exploited in these environments in Jordan for various reasons. These include incompatible information technology infrastructure and a lack of training. As a result, these libraries need to invest more in MT and enhance the use of technologies among their users to raise their performance and the quality of services that they offer. Such enhancements could lead to more meaningful interactions with users and a better overall user experience.

This study investigated awareness levels among library staff of MT to provide library services. Users perspectives regarding receiving library services on mobile devices have not been explored. MT should be assessed from user perspective to understand how MT might enhance academic library services. Library staff could also be interviewed to explore these issues in closer detail. Library and Information Science departments might also upgrade their curricula and include MT application development in library courses.

This study fills a gap in MT research in the context of library services, as it is the first such attempt to conduct research into this topic in the Middle East in general, and in Jordan specifically.

This paper aims to investigate public library staff engagement and perceptions of video games and video game services.

Quantitative and qualitative data on staff video game experiences, perceptions and confidence were collected through an online questionnaire.

The results indicate an overall positive perception of video games in public libraries, with 87% of the respondents supporting video games in public libraries. Video game players appear to think more positively about video games and have more general knowledge about them than non-players. They also appeared to be more confident in delivering related services and were more likely to be running gaming-related events. It was concluded that staff attitudes towards video games are not a barrier to their inclusion in public libraries, as found in previous research.

Encouraging staff engagement with video games may improve their knowledge and confidence in delivering video game services, although further research is required to confirm this. There is a potentially underserved population of those aged 46–84 years, nearly half of whom play video games. Evaluation of this potentially underserved population is an interesting topic for future research.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first survey of public library staff views towards video games in Aotearoa New Zealand, and it updates previous research in light of developments in gaming, gaming technology and the increased focus on public libraries as providers of digital technology and sites of community engagement.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the results of two surveys conducted at the University of Malta Library, 2003‐20044 and Lanchester Library, University of Coventry, 2005‐2006. Relationships between library staff and their customers are explored using a customer relationships management (CRM) framework.

Focus groups were used to ascertain customer and staff perceptions of the quality of library service and the existing nature of customer/librarian relationships.

CRM was a useful framework for analysing the perceived worth of university libraries. In the contemporary competitive environment, librarians needed not only to ascertain and meet customer need, but to form active collaborations with their customers if the true market potential of academic libraries is to be realised. Good communication strategies are essential for CRM to be successful. Training for staff and customers in information skills and/or new systems is an essential element of a CRM approach.

Further large‐scale research is desirable to test the basic premise and the methodology employed in greater depth.

Involving customers actively in the design and delivery of library services has positive benefits vis‐à‐vis the perceived worth and value of the service within the wider institution.

Demonstrates the value of adopting a CRM strategy within university libraries.

Cultural practices are defined in the context of this paper as being the way things are done in an organisation. Aspects of cultural practices that may affect strategic planning are explored in a study of stakeholders of five Ghanaian university libraries and two senior civil servants. Points discussed include organisational values and beliefs, tribalism and organisational behaviour.

The purpose of this paper is to review current knowledge, research and thinking about the difficulties facing public libraries offering internet access to their users in ensuring legally compliant and non-offensive use of this facility whilst still adhering to the professional value of freedom of access to information.

A range of recently published sources (1997-2013) relating to the technical and organisational measures used to manage public internet access primarily in public libraries in the UK with some limited international examples were reviewed and analysed. This work was undertaken as the underpinning research for an AHRC-funded project, MAIPLE (Managing Access to the internet in Public Libraries).

The provision of public internet access is a well-established component of the role of public libraries, but is seen as a potential problem due to the possibility of misuse, and it appears that simplistic technical solutions have disappointed. Legislation increases the need for more effective solutions that can provide a balance between the need for legal compliance, a welcoming environment for users, and the protection of key freedoms. A range of measures are being adopted worldwide in response to this dilemma.

Research exploring internet access in public libraries and its management in the UK is numerically small and much of it dates back to the start of the twenty-first century. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the available literature and is of relevance to practitioners and academics in the fields of public librarianship.

This paper aims to provide case studies of staff development programs at two university libraries: those of Montana State University in the USA and Victoria University Library in Victoria, Australia.

The paper examines how these differently sized institutions are using distinct approaches to grapple with the challenges of staff development in difficult economic and technological times. By providing examples of two very different environments and timelines, this paper provides ideas for a broad spectrum of library types and sizes at all points on the development continuum.

Despite differences, what emerges is that many concepts and principles span disparate library situations and are applicable to almost any staff development plan. These include the importance of establishing staff development methodologies, identifying competencies, linking with workforce planning, dealing with legacy issues, prioritizing communication and staff involvement, identifying needs and priorities, embedding accountability and consistently monitoring and evaluating to establish and maintain a successful program.

This paper will be valuable to large university libraries with mature staff development plans who wish to rethink basic principles or consider altering their established approach. It will also be valuable to smaller university libraries who are just beginning to chart staff development programs and who want to start off on the right track.

The purpose of this research is to explore how immigrant library users view Auckland Libraries as a multicultural bridge in New Zealand. The research explored the various factors keeping different cultures apart in the New Zealand socio cultural systems and to find out the gaps in the provision of multicultural services in Auckland public libraries. The study also discusses the specific roles Auckland public libraries play in the development of multiculturalism in New Zealand from the perspective of immigrant users.

The study uses a qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 participants including five library staff members and ten users of the Auckland library. Thematic analysis (qualitative data analysis, where data is grouped into themes) was used for data analysis.

Participants perceive that the Auckland Library had an advantage over other citizen service institutions in the development and services of multiculturalism in New Zealand. The participants understand that language, cultural background, beliefs and values are some of the causes of gaps between different ethnic groups, and only by learning from each other can groups enhance mutual understanding between them. The services and programs Auckland Library offer to immigrant enable various interactions among different cultural groups and enhance learning from one another to facilitate their integration into the New Zealand society. The findings show that Auckland public libraries have some gaps in multicultural services. In particular, there are more than 200 different ethnicities in Auckland, but the Auckland library's website does not have the function of a multilingual search tab service, lacks a multicultural book collection and some of the existing collections of books are of low quality, low literary value and so on. The study suggests that these issues need to be improved.

This was small-scale research involving the perspectives of only 15 participants. Nevertheless, the findings provide constructive insight into the development of multicultural services in Auckland libraries that can serve as a useful basis for a broader exploration of more immigrant groups in Auckland and New Zealand as a whole.

The results of this research will provide valuable information for the Auckland libraries to have a better plan for multicultural services in the future. The findings will also serve as a reference for improving multicultural services in the Auckland libraries.

Although other studies have looked at immigrants’ behavior and perception on various issues in New Zealand, this study is the first to look at how different immigrant groups percept Auckland libraries as a multicultural bridge to help integrate them.