Understanding librarians : communication is the issue /
Aimed at professionals and trainee professionals within the library and information service (LIS) fields, this book reminds the reader of the frequently ignored communication-gulf between the professional and the layman, and in particular the lack of true communication between LIS professional and t...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Witney :
Chandos Publishing (Oxford) Ltd,
2011.
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| Series: | Chandos information professional series.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | CONNECT |
Table of Contents:
- Cover; Understanding Librarians: Communication is the issue; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; List of tables; About the author and contributors; 1 Defining the problem; Rationale for this book; Broad overview of failure in communication; Overview of subsequent chapters; Notes; References; 2What are libraries for?; Perceived purpose of libraries; Public libraries; Development of public libraries in the UK; Changed perceptions of libraries; Libraries as instruments of social engineering; Note; References; 3Images of librarians; Problems with media portrayal; Positive appraisal of librarians.
- Librarians as teachersNotes; References; 4Psychological barriers; Basic human psychology: anxiety; Losing face; People are human!; Information overload; Notes; References; 5Social class and lack of education as barriers; Social class and education; Libraries' potential for social engineering; A cautionary note; Note; References; 6Language as a barrier; Predominance of English as a world language; Psychological problems of English language predominance; Studying in Higher Education in English; Difficulties with accents; Cultural differences; References.
- 7Lack of literacy and numeracy skills as a barrierVarying levels of literacy and numeracy; The alphabet and related problems; Definition of literacy; Problems with decimals; Falling statistics for enquiries; References; 8Information and Communication Technology as a barrier; Some effects of widespread use of ICT; Human-computer interaction; Computer frustration; Digital divide; Information literacy; Notes; References; 9 Disability as a barrier; Extent of disability; Legislation on disability discrimination; All staff to be disability-aware; Key importance of attitudes; References.
- 10Clarity of purposeWhat are you trying to achieve here?; The client group; Mission statements; Operational guidelines; Note; References; 11Evaluation and the value of systematic research; Culture of evaluation; What are we measuring?; Treat statistics with caution; Difficulties in collecting good quality data; Surveys; Note; References; 12 Librarians as reflective practitioners; General growth of reflective practice; A personal reflective 'log'; Practical outcomes from log-keeping; References; 13Staff development; Differences in motivation; Damage caused by lack of staff development.
- Promoting from within the serviceGood personal qualities for staff; Employing volunteers; Junior staff need the bigger picture too; Recognising individual members of staff; Notes; References; 14Self publicise; Sell your service!; The need to remind users; Integrating into your community; Satisfied users as ambassadors; Importance of names; Joining in; Publicise your achievements; Notes; References; 15Breaking down the library walls: responding to the needs of the Google generation; Background project 1; Pilot service: discussion; Background project 2; Implementation and pilot testing.
