Assessing Information Needs: Managing Transformative Library Services - Softcover

Emeritus, Robert J. Grover Professor; Greer, Roger C.; Agada, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591587972 ISBN 13: 9781591587972

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2010

Synopsis

Based on a tested model for community analysis, this book offers a guide to the management of client-centered transformative information services that can be applied in any type of library or information agency.

Knowing a community enables library and information professionals to prioritize the community's information needs and design appropriate services for them. Assessing Information Needs: Managing Transformative Library Services was written to provide the rationale for community analysis, a model for gathering community data, and a process for analyzing data and applying it to the management of an information agency.

The book explains why information professionals should customize services, as well as the "how to" of collecting data. A model for gathering community information is described, applied, and demonstrated through a case study. The book then shows how such information is interpreted and used to plan information services that are transformative for individuals and groups in the case-study community, providing lessons that readers can use with their own institutions. Rooted in a philosophy of customer service, the method presented here is perfect for public, school, academic, and special libraries or other types of information agencies.

About this title

About the Author

Robert J. Grover, PhD, is retired associate vice president for academic affairs at Emporia State University, Emporia, KS, and former dean and professor in the School of Library and Information Management.

Roger C. Greer, PhD, is dean emeritus of the School of Library and Information Management, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, and professor emeritus at Emporia State University, Emporia, KS.

John Agada, PhD, is director of the Department of Library, Information, and Media Studies (LIMS), Chicago State University, Chicago, IL.

Reviews

Authors Grover, Roger C. Greer, and John Agada outline the process of community analysis for academic, public, school, and special libraries. Chapters 1 through 4 discuss the historical background of libraries, provide a review of knowledge systems, and detail community analysis theory. Chapters 5 through 9 examine data collection. Here, analysis entails scrutinizing four community segments—“Individuals,” “Groups,” “Agencies,” and “Lifestyles.” Chapters 10 through 13 describe analysis implementation, the analysis review process, and the implications for library service planning. A public library case study provides further clarification. A how-to manual suitable for library managers. --Stephen Fadel

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591587972
• ISBN 13: 9781591587972
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224