The Application of Operations Research in Library Management

Nkereuwem, E. E.; Eteng, Uwem

doi:10.1108/00242539410067719

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The concept of the library as study place is further supported by the fact that many users sit in libraries reading their own materials. A survey on in‐library book use in the University of Calabar Library demonstrated that non‐library materials were more heavily used than library collections by students who used the library as a study place (Nkereuwem and Eteng, 1994). It found that humanities and social sciences users preferred to work in libraries for personal research and leisure reading, while science students tended to study in libraries with personal notes and textbooks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps

Xia

2005

New Library World

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PurposeThis research seeks to observe the occupancy of study areas in a university library over a period of several months with the aim of evaluating the efficiency of library resources usage.Design/methodology/approachIn undertaking the research, study facilities of a library, such as chairs, sofas, carrels, and tables, were first drawn as features on maps using a GIS application. Geospatial databases were then created to store data of occupancy of the facilities by library users, which were observed by the author. On connecting records in the databases to features on the maps, GIS functions were explored to analyze observed data and exhibit the analytical results on the maps.FindingsThe findings of this research challenge the predominant opinion that insists that academic library users have a preference of study carrels over tables for studying. Instead, the research reveals that student users tend to select tables to study, especially tables equipped with electrical and internet connections. At the same time, group study rooms are overwhelmingly welcomed.Practical implicationsThis research demonstrates the potential of GIS technology for assisting library operations with regard to study space management. With GIS, libraries can have an automation tool to record their daily activities, analyze the data, and exhibit the analysis on maps for better understanding.Originality/valueThis is an experimental work. Librarians may find it useful in managing the activities of their library and helpful in providing information for space rearrangement and service enhancement.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps

Xia

2005

New Library World

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“…Previous studies have focused on working with the former (Truewell, 1968). However, floor pick-up is a different reading behavior of library users (McGrath, 1971;Nkereuwem and Eteng, 1994). It can be assumed that when readers use books inside a library, they will expect to get a quick reference, or read only part of a book, or just browse periodicals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GIS in the management of library pick‐up books

Xia

2004

Library Hi Tech

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The management of library "pick-up books" -a phrase that refers to books pulled off the shelves by readers, discarded in the library after use, and picked up by library assistants for reshelving -is an issue for many collection managers. This research attempts to use geographic information system (GIS) software as a tool to monitor the use of such books so that their distributions by book shelf-ranges can be displayed visually. With GIS, library floor layouts are drawn as maps. This research produces some explanations of the habits of library patrons browsing shelved materials, and makes suggestions to librarians on the expansion of library collections and the rearrangement potential for library space.

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“…To improve the management of the library sources, it is necessary to redesign the space, to gain access to the sources and to control their use and to obtain precise information regarding in-library use of the books (Nkereuwem and Eteng, 1994). This issue has been emphasized in numerous studies (McGrath, 1971;Morse, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GIS as a supporting instrument for making decisions about the library sources collection management

Pournaghi

2017

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Purpose Nowadays, libraries are confronted with the growth of library collection, financial problems and lack of enough space. Hence, an organized and automatic system is needed to manage the sources collection. The purpose of the current study was using a GIS in managing the sources collection (systematic weeding, collection development and retrieving the extent of the sources loan) of the library to implement the system in a case sample and using the output maps for improving the status of managing the sources and contributing to make weeding more systematic and supplying the sources. Design/methodology/approach Combination of survey methods-descriptive design system was used. To gather the required data, the survey-descriptive method was used. To implement and enter the information and data into ArcGIS and analyze the data and display the results on the library floors maps, system designing was utilized. Finally, the proposed model was designed based on the exiting reality. Spatial database design and plan have been done at the Central Library of Tehran University. Findings The spatial database created in the study demonstrated that GIS has the potential for searching, displaying and presenting several reports considering the extent of the loan for each specific shelf on the map of the building and several halls of the library. Originality/value Thorough using the database for the extent of the loan and use of the sources in GIS and the potential for being updated and searching for spatial information, decisions related to managing the library sources collection including weeding, collection development and selection can be supported. The proposed model in the current study can be used in other libraries. Easy development and low cost for its implementation makes it applicable for all libraries.

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The Application of Operations Research in Library Management

Cited by 7 publications

References 5 publications

Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps

Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps

GIS in the management of library pick‐up books

GIS as a supporting instrument for making decisions about the library sources collection management

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