The public library as social infrastructure for older patrons: Exploring the implications of online library programming for older adults during COVID-19

Dalmer, Nicole K.; Mitrovica, Bria L.

doi:10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101177

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The social role of libraries became increasingly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as restrictions made it difficult to offer library activities in the usual way (Corble and Van Melik, 2021). Dalmer and Mitrovica (2022) discuss the consequences for older adults when many Canadian libraries decided to move all programming online during the pandemic. Given the diversity of patrons, including older adults, they recommend a post-pandemic approach that combines virtual and in-person services to support social connection in multiple ways.…”

Section: Social Infrastructuring In Public Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social infrastructuring in public libraries: librarians' continuous care in everyday library practice

Rivano Eckerdal,

Engström,

Färber

et al. 2024

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PurposeAs social infrastructures, public libraries are increasingly recognised as providing more than access to books and information; librarians’ work is importantly centred around practices of care. However, the ways in which they provide care is poorly researched, let alone conceptualised. This paper explores how this important part of librarians’ daily work is practiced through the lens of infrastructuring.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first theoretically discusses the concepts of social infrastructuring, care and tinkering. Then, it turns to ethnographic research conducted in the public library networks of three European cities: Vienna (Austria), Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and Malmö (Sweden). The paper comprises empirical materials from all three countries and unpacks 16 librarians’ daily working routines of care through participant observations.FindingsThe empirical analysis resulted in three modes of social infrastructuring in public libraries: (1) maintaining, (2) building connections and (3) drawing boundaries. Practices of care are prominent in each of these infrastructuring modes: librarians infrastructure the library with and via their care practices. Whilst care practices are difficult to quantify and verbalise, they are valuable for library patrons. By using the concept of tinkering, the article conceptualises librarians’ infrastructuring enactments as crucial community-building aspects of libraries.Originality/valueBy focusing on the enactment of social infrastructuring, the paper goes beyond a descriptive approach to understanding public libraries as important social infrastructures. Rather, the paper unpacks how libraries come into being as infrastructuring agencies by highlighting what librarians do and say. Our international study articulates the importance of care practices in public libraries across different national contexts.

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Section: Social Infrastructuring In Public Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social infrastructuring in public libraries: librarians' continuous care in everyday library practice

Rivano Eckerdal,

Engström,

Färber

et al. 2024

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“…Excitement features, encompassing virtual reality resources, online book clubs with interactive discussions (Tsang and Chiu, 2022), surprise guest lectures (Yu et al, 2023), and interactive learning apps (Okunlaya et al, 2022), possess the potential to create a dynamic and enriching academic environment when effectively integrated. However, the general dissatisfaction with library resources, including e-books lacking interactive elements (Okunlaya et al, 2022), virtual reality experiences (Mäkinen et al, 2022), augmented reality usage (Dalili Saleh et al, 2022), gamified learning modules (Jug, 2023), virtual spaces (Dalmer and Mitrovica, 2022), mystery book bundles (Emerson and Lehman, 2022), and digital archives (Jaillant, 2022), raises significant concerns. This discontent suggests a perceived inadequacy in implementing modern and interactive features within the library, thus impacting the student experience.…”

Section: Excitement Features Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 99%

University students' satisfaction with library services and resources using the Kano model

Galagala

2024

Int. j. adv. appl. sci.

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Student satisfaction is essential for developing an engaging and active library environment that promotes usage and shapes a favorable view of the institution. This study uses the Kano Model to investigate university students' satisfaction with library services and resources, focusing on basic, performance, and excitement dimensions. The goal is to enhance understanding of user satisfaction in academic libraries. The study surveyed 300 university students randomly selected from four State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines using a researcher-created survey tool. The results showed that students were generally satisfied with the basic aspects of library services and resources. However, they expressed neutral satisfaction with performance aspects and dissatisfaction with library resources. Similarly, satisfaction with the excitement aspects of library services was neutral, but there was dissatisfaction with the excitement aspects of library resources. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex dimensions of university students' satisfaction with library services and resources, helping institutions improve the quality of their educational library services.

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“…The general recommendations for librarians during the pandemic are:Provide click-and-collect or home delivery of library physical materials.Expand digital resources and services (Dalmer and Mitrovica, 2022): libraries can offer a wider range of digital resources such as e-books, audiobooks, online courses and streaming services to cater to the needs of their patrons who are unable or hesitant to visit physical facilities. Libraries can create virtual events, such as book clubs, author talks and workshops, to engage with their patrons and maintain a sense of community.Improve online accessibility: libraries can enhance their website’s user interface and provide easy-to-use online services.Enhance safety measures: libraries can implement safety measures to ensure the safety of patrons and staff, such as enforcing social distancing rules, providing hand sanitizers and masks and conducting regular cleaning and disinfecting protocols (Abdekhoda et al ., 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2) Expand digital resources and services (Dalmer and Mitrovica, 2022): libraries can offer a wider range of digital resources such as e-books, audiobooks, online courses and streaming services to cater to the needs of their patrons who are unable or hesitant to visit physical facilities. Libraries can create virtual events, such as book clubs, author talks and workshops, to engage with their patrons and maintain a sense of community.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Overwhelming effects of COVID-19 on public library services and recovery perspectives

Ćirić,

Ćirić

2024

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PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in library lending, but the response from libraries was insufficient. While researchers have provided guidelines, quantitative analysis of the extent of the impact is lacking.Design/methodology/approachHere, we examine library lending trends from 2019 to 2022, comparing the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, analyzing lending changes among adults and children and different types of literature, using a public library as a case study.FindingsThis study shows a significant decrease in lending practice, especially among adults, and later recovery. Digital, fine and scientific literature gained popularity compared to other types.Originality/valueThe research results can serve as library management guidelines in case of a new pandemic.

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The public library as social infrastructure for older patrons: Exploring the implications of online library programming for older adults during COVID-19

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

Social infrastructuring in public libraries: librarians' continuous care in everyday library practice

Social infrastructuring in public libraries: librarians' continuous care in everyday library practice

University students' satisfaction with library services and resources using the Kano model

Overwhelming effects of COVID-19 on public library services and recovery perspectives

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