An Exploration of Ireland’s My Open Library Service

IF 1.4 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE

Public Library Quarterly Pub Date : 2021-08-06 DOI:10.1080/01616846.2021.1906614

L. Wilson

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ireland’s recently implemented My Open Library (MOL) service is operating in 15 public libraries following initial trials in 2014. MOL consists of the provision of extended opening hours during which no library staff are present. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight librarians from seven public libraries operating MOL to understand the uses and challenges of MOL. The findings show MOL’s popularity, user demographics, uses, staff absence, health and safety concerns, automated systems, increased workload, investment, expansion and improvements. This research has implications for key stakeholders of MOL as it provides an original contribution of practical value within the context of the government’s plans for expansion of the service. The findings also increase understandings of MOL and highlight recommendations as to how stakeholders may improve, expand and develop this socially significant public service. Future research can examine user demographics and preferences, the requirement for security guards during MOL hours and the concepts of equal access and expansion.

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爱尔兰我的开放图书馆服务探索

摘要爱尔兰最近实施的“我的开放图书馆”（MOL）服务于2014年进行了初步试验，目前已在15家公共图书馆运行。MOL包括延长开放时间，在此期间没有图书馆工作人员在场。在这项研究中，对来自七家运营MOL的公共图书馆的八名图书馆员进行了半结构化访谈，以了解MOL的用途和挑战。研究结果显示了MOL的受欢迎程度、用户人口统计、用途、员工缺勤、健康和安全问题、自动化系统、工作量增加、投资、扩展和改进。这项研究对MOL的主要利益相关者具有启示意义，因为它在政府扩大服务计划的背景下提供了具有实际价值的原始贡献。研究结果还增加了对MOL的理解，并强调了利益相关者如何改进、扩大和发展这项具有社会意义的公共服务的建议。未来的研究可以研究用户的人口统计和偏好、MOL工作时间对保安的要求以及平等访问和扩展的概念。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Public Library Quarterly INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

21.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： Public Libraries Quarterly is addressed to leaders-directors, managers, staff, trustees, and friends-who believe that change is imperative if public libraries are to fulfill their service missions in the twenty-first century. In PLQ, directors and operating officers tell how they accomplished change. The journal examines: •best practices and models to improve service •management case studies-with results and failures •library mythologies that retard individual and institutional development •studies of how to plan results and accomplish desired outcomes •marketing and fund-raising tools that work •budget and financial analysis tools and tips