Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community
19 January 2011
Cathy De Rosa, Joanne Cantrell, Matthew Carlson, Peggy Gallagher, Janet Hawk, Charlotte Sturtz
In this new report, OCLC explores how changing contexts impact perceptions and behaviors concerning libraries and information sources. In 2005, OCLC published Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, a report on how information consumers perceive of and use libraries, search engines, Web sites and other emerging information sources. Five years later, the technology and economic environments are vastly different, and the information consumer is even more empowered. Americans have made lifestyle changes during the recent recession. They are spending less in some areas while not sacrificing in others. And they are using libraries to help fill some of the gaps for items and services they can no longer afford.
Learn what has changed in the past five years and what perspectives and behaviors remain the same.
Of Cloud Libraries and Trusting in Trusts, or: Is the Idea of Outsourcing Print Collections Ready for Its Close- up?
9 January 2011
Dennis Massie
Geek the Library: A Community Awareness Campaign
10 December 2010
Cathy De Rosa, Jenny Johnson, Linn Haugestad Edvardsen, Patricia Harris
This new report provides complete details about the Geek the Library pilot campaign, including results from qualitative and quantitative research, and insight from participating public libraries. The pilot campaign and the research were funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Seeking Synchronicity: Revelations and Recommendations for Virtual Reference.
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Marie L. Radford
The report is based on a multi-year study funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and OCLC. A rich resource for further exploration of this important topic, it includes valuable statistics, lists of references, additional readings, and specific recommendations for what libraries and librarians can do to move VR forward in local environments. Today's students, scholars and citizens are not just looking to libraries for answers to specific questions—they want partners and guides in a lifelong information-seeking journey. By transforming VR services into relationship-building opportunities, libraries can leverage the positive feelings people have for libraries in a crowded online space where the biggest players often don't have the unique experience and specific strengths that librarians offer.