Use and Users

Chelton, Mary K. Three in Five Public Library Users Are Youth; Implications of Survey Results from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Public Libraries 36 no. 2 (March/April, 1997): 104-108.

Abstract : Based on the results of a descriptive statistical analysis of the August 1995 survey of the National Center for Education Statistics, "Services and Resources for Children and Young Adults in Public Libraries". The survey found that children and young adults are the major users of public libraries. Thirty percent of all public service librarians in public libraries serve young people. Ethnic diversity of users has increased in more than 40 percent of public libraries. Computer technologies are heavily used although only 30 percent of public libraries had personal computers for use by young people. Many library programs primarily target preschool and kindergarten children. Almost all public libraries provide reference assistance but only 1 in 7 provides homework assistance programs. Eleven percent of public libraries have neither a young adult collection nor a young adult section; 58 percent have a separate young adult room or area; other libraries shelve young adult materials with adult or children's materials. The author suggests that the large percentage of library users who are young should lead to greater emphasis on youth services in libraries.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : survey
Language : English
Keywords : Technology; National survey
Identifier: United States; National Center for Education Statistics

Dixon, Judith. Are We Childproofing Our Public Libraries? Identifying the Barriers That Limit Library Use by Children.

Public Libraries 35 no. 1 (Jan/Feb. 1996, 1996): 50-56.

Abstract : The author reports on a study done to identify all barriers preventing optimum use of library services by children. Questionnaires were sent to all children's librarians in the Dallas, Texas library system and to coordinators of youth services in thirty-eight library systems serving populations of over one hundred thousand. Many children attend day- and after-school programs, which limits their available time to spend in the library, and some low- and moderate-income families lack transportation to the library. Children are often unable to reach computer keyboards and books on high shelves, remove books safely from overcrowded shelves, open heavy doors, sit comfortably in chairs designed for adults, or make eye contact with staff at reference or circulation desks. Some children are not allowed to check out library books because their parents are reluctant to incur library fines. Children may receive poor library service from library staff because they are often shy and small, they may find it difficult to articulate specific needs, and their requests may seem trivial to the librarian (even assertive children may be unable to successfully compete with adult patrons for a busy librarian's attention). Adolescents may fear peer disapproval if they express interest in reading or the library. Families in some cultural groups may not be aware of the nature of public library services for children, and may not be able to communicate with library staff in English. Illiterate parents are not able to read to their children or help with their homework, and may be uncomfortable using the library. Finally, many teachers, parents and caregivers are unaware of public library services for children.
Suggested action includes offering outreach programs such as deposit collections, storytimes and bookclubs at day-care centres, neighbourhood centres, and Head Start locations, lowering a section of the reference and circulation desk, offering books within easy reach of children, waiving or lowering fines for children's materias, conducting staff seminars on reference interviewing with children, recruiting bilingual personnel and volunteers and developing youth collections which reflect the language needs of the community, contacting leaders of community ethnic groups to explain children's library services, holding storytimes for children and illiterate parents, and attending PTA meetings and school open houses to promote public library services for children.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : Survey
Language : English
Keywords : Public Library Services
Identifier: Dallas Public Library, Texas, US

Dowd, Frances Smardo. Homeless Children in Public Libraries: A National Survey of Large Systems.

Journal of Youth Services in Libraries 9 no. 2 (Winter, 1996): 155-165.

Abstract : Studies estimate that the United States has as many as three million homeless people, and that more than one-third of the homeless population consists of families with children. The author has conducted a national research study to discover whether public libraries are successfully serving homeless children. Specific areas of interest include uncovering innovative library programs/services that address needs of homeless children, and determining librarians' perceptions of their role in regard to this user group. Only twenty percent of the surveyed public libraries reported an appreciable number of homeless children among their user group, and eighty percent of librarians surveyed regarded the impact of homeless children upon their library as "minimal". Sixty-five percent of public libraries offer some type of special program for homeless children, the most common being story times at shelters or the library and book deposits at shelters, and fifty-seven percent of libraries offer these programs in cooperation with other community agencies such as shelters, public schools, the Salvation Army, or local government social services departments. Ninety-six percent of librarians agree that public libraries should interact with other agencies in serving homeless children, and sixty-one percent feel that homeless children should receive the same services and have the same access to materials and programs as any other clients.
Some of the six innovative library programs targeted to homeless children which are described include the library STARS program at the Orange County (California) Public Library, and Project Horizons at the DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Library. Library STARS offers homeless youth at the local Children's Home fine-free library cards, older children read to younger children in the "Superb Storytellers" group, and weekly story programs are available for five-to-twelve-year-olds. Project Horizons offers a deposit program for paperback books, computers and toys, group storytime at the library, an a chance to be read to one-on-one by volunteers. Library story times can be tailored to the developmental needs of homeless children, who tend to be shy and withdrawn, have short attention spans and experience delays in speech, expressive language, and gross motor development. Libraries can also offer homeless children encouragement to develop peer relationships, the opportunity to make choices and feel competent and in control, and a time/place to be alone. Parents of homeless children report a need for information about available services for their children, opportunities to share their feelings with other homeless parents, classes on parenting, and flexibility related to their level of involvement in children's activies.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : Survey
Language : English
Keywords : Public Library Services; Library Statistics; National Survey; Outreach
Identifier: School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas, US

Lee, Catherine A. Characteristics of Generation X and Implications for Reference Services and the Job Search.

The Reference Librarian 55 (1996): 51-59.

Abstract : Study of the characteristics of people born between 1961 and 1981 many of whom are now students using library services designed by members of an older generation. Characteristics of this group include a craving for stimulation; need for personal contact; preference for concrete, specific information; a desire to learn leading-edge technology; searching for traditional goals; looking for the good-looking job; emotionally repressed; keeping options open. Implications of this for libraries is that Gen X people are not "crazy about libraries", they prefer direct service rather than being given instructions on how to find information themselves. Prepare practical, brief guides to materials that students will need. Avoid descriptions, strive for readability and attractiveness. Establishment of a career planning information center may be appreciated. Students prefer institutions where personnel appear to care about them. Direct personal contact and a helpful attitude is important.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : Qualitative
Language : English
Keywords : Reference Materials; User Characteristics

Lopatin, Laurie. Not Left by the Wayside: A Case Study of the Creation of a Library for Troubled Adolescents of the Wayside Home School for Girls.

Public & Access Services Quarterly 2 (2, 1996): 25-36.

Abstract : The Wayside Home School for Girls in Valley Stream, NY (US) provides residential education for troubled teenaged girls (ages 12-18). This case study examines the problems involved in settin gup a library for the girls. Until 1993, Wayside did not have a library nor were the residents entitled to use public library services in the neighboring community. An attempt was made to provide an institutional card with which the girls could borrow books from the public library, but this was discontinued as too many books disappeared when the girls left Wayside. Mamie Eng, the president of the Nassau County Library Association, suggested that the association help set up a library at the facility. The first step was to evaluate the books, mostly donated, that were already available. Of the 4000 old books there, only 500 were considered appropriate for use. More donations were solicited and more than 3000 books, including fiction, reference titles, and nonfiction were given by local public and high school libraries. These were cataloged and processed. A room at the institution was prepared for the library and it was dedicated on Oct. 7, 1993. A part time librarian has been hired. The Institutional Services Committee of the NCLA works as an advisory collection development committee to ensure that more multicultural and current nonfiction was selected. The library now supports the junior and senior high school curriculum and serves as a source of recreational reading. Use of the library is heavy and many of the girls express strong feelings about its importance. There have been some problems with books disappearing when a girl leaves the facility. Cutbacks in state funding have made it difficult to continue providing materials and part-time librarian services, but the institution is strongly committed to continuing to support the library.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : Case Study
Language : English
Keywords : Reading interests; Institutional libraries
Identifier: Wayside Home School for Girls, US; Nassau County Library Association, US

Robinson, Cynthia A.; Dowd, Frances Smardo. Public Library Services to Disabled Children: A National Survey of Large Systems.

Journal of Youth Services in Libraries 10 no. 3 (Spring, 1997): 283-290.

Abstract : In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the United States. It requires that public facilities including libraries make their programs and services available for all children regardless of disabilities. This study investigates the response of public libraries in large cities to the Act. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 224 children's coordinators in cities serving more than 100,000. The response rate was 57%. Forty percent indicated that the use of the library by children with disabilities had increased during the past 5 years while 24% indicated it did not and 36% did not know. The facilities changes most often made were modified restrooms, book-aisle width, and furniture heights to accomodate wheel chairs; building wheelchair ramps; and encouraging staff to attend ADA workshops. About 25% of the libraries had appointed an ADA coordinator. Only 10% of coordinators reported that they had someone specifically assigned to work with disabled children. The reason given was usually lack of need. One-third of the libraries provided services aimed at children with disabilities. These included retrieval of materials from shelving (83%), assistance with online catalog (76%), photocopy service (51%) and referal services to agencies (47%). Only 25% of the libraries provided special programs for children with disabilities; the most popular of these were summer reading clubs (25%) and puppet show using "Kids on the Block" puppets (18%). Equipment for visually impaired children included offering books on audiotape (96%), large-print books (85%), hand-held magnifiers (54%), Braille books (48%), and Kurzweil reading machine (36%). For hearing impaired children test telephones were offered by 64% of the libraries, closed-captioned videos (53%), TDD answering machines (38%). Online computer catalog at seated level was the equipment most offered for mobility impaired children (60%). When asked how effective their services to the disabled were, 36% considered them ineffective, while only 24% said theywere reasonably effective. The authors suggest that future studies should ask children with disabilities about their perceptions of the library services.
Subject Category : Use and Users
Research Methods : Survey
Language : English
Keywords : National Surveys; Disabled
Identifier: United States