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Objective: In Croatia, comparative analyses of the financial investments in libraries and their value for the community and society are rarely conducted. Foreign studies confirm that libraries fulfill many social functions and significantly contribute to the well-being of the environments in which they operate. This is reflected through educational, cultural, creative, and entertainment content, digital transformations, as well as the achievement of social cohesion and inclusion. Using the example of the Zagreb City Libraries, this paper will present various comparisons of concrete data showing the direct and indirect benefits of public libraries to the community. Approach/Methodology/Design: The research was conducted using the desk method. Existing, publicly available statistical data (at national and local levels), the institution's business data, and publicly available market data on service prices were used. The value of library services and the library in the community can be expressed in several ways. Depending on what is to be shown, the value can be expressed (a) from the perspective of the individual or the entire community, (b) taking into account all library services or just a selected service, (c) per individual activity or, if it is an activity that is regularly conducted, for all meetings held in a chosen period. Results: The research confirmed the multiple values of the library, especially in the financial aspect. It was shown that the market value of just a portion of the services provided annually by the Zagreb City Libraries exceeds the annual investments in the institution as a whole. Practical implication: Fulfilling public interest and presenting value through concrete figures is the strongest form of public advocacy for the library. Promoting the library has become an indispensable part of operations because only in this way can the importance of libraries be highlighted. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight how this approach to valuing libraries can serve in public relations at several levels, from breaking stereotypes about libraries merely as book lending places to enhancing the institution's reputation in the local community and among its stakeholders - users, collaborators, politicians, founders, funders, and others. Originality: The proposed method of calculating financial value can also serve other libraries in advocacy with various political actors, financiers, or sponsors, and contribute to greater visibility and recognition within the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of the paper is to emphasize the importance of the participation of library technicians in continuous informal education of librarians in the fi eld of communication skills. Approach. The fi rst part of the paper examines the theoretical foundations of librarian education in the fi eld of communication skills and their impact on organizational culture. Special attention is given to the particularities of communication in the reference and information service in public libraries but also within a network of public libraries. Authors suggest that there is a need for education in the fi eld of emotion management. The second part of the paper presents how the trainings were organized, specifi cally targeting library technicians from the Zagreb City Libraries. These involved two cycles of communication skills workshops focused on confl ict and crisis situations and stress management, and a one-time training on assertive communication and the eZaKi application. Final part of the paper provides recommendations for organizing continuous informal education for librarians in communication skills, based on theoretical foundations and practical experiences. Results. The results of the evaluation showed a high level of participant satisfaction with the organization and implementation of trainings, the value of experience exchange and learning during the workshops, the strengthening of community and awareness of organizational culture, as well as the need for continuity in the implementation of similar workshops. Practical implications. The description of the organization, implementation and evaluation of communication skills workshops can serve as an example of good practice in the informal education of library staff and as an incentive for other libraries to organize similar workshops....Originality. The paper is the fi rst in Croatian professional library literature to present an example of the professional development practice for library technicians in the fi eld of communication skills. The need for education in emotion management while working in the reference and information service is also indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The paper presents the research that sought to gain insight into the present condition and status of the county legal deposit, the application of the Provisions of the Legal deposit (NN 66/2020) and examine whether there is a need for a revision of the aforementioned Provisions concerning the collections in which the county legal deposit has to be deposited. Methodology. The research was conducted by using the survey questionnaire method anonymously in an online form in the period from 4 to 13 October, 2021. The questionnaire was intended exclusively for county public libraries in the Republic of Croatia. It consisted of 14 questions, some of which could be answered by multiple choice. The authors investigated the respondents' familiarity with the applicable regulations related to the county legal deposit, their knowledge about the material the libraries receive through the legal deposit and the procedures used, whether the libraries include these copies in the library collection, and the conditions under which the material is made available to users. Furthermore, the questionnaire examined the opinion of the respondents on the county legal deposit concerning the building of the collections, cataloguing, and storing the material, as well as obligations of the publishers, and questions concerning the county legal deposit in the context of the local history collections. The last question was the only optional and open-ended one and served as a place where the respondents could leave additional comments. Findings. The results indicate that the respondents are familiar with the current legal regulations related to the county legal deposit. Almost all libraries receive legal deposit copies of various types of materials, but at the same time the librarians point out the challenges in dealing with some publishers who do not fulfil the obligation to deliver the county legal deposit. For this reason, they emphasize the need to educate all parties involved in the procedure with the county legal deposit - from publishers to libraries. The county legal deposit is included in library collections - sometimes completely, sometimes according to a librarian's assessment. According to the research, the county legal deposit enriches library collections, the users ask librarians for these materials and use them. However, the conditions of their use vary - from the use in the library space to regular borrowing. However, there is a disagreement of the respondents regarding the inclusion of the county legal deposit in the local history collections. Originality/value. The results of the research can serve as a starting point in finding possible solutions for challenges that the county public libraries meet in dealing with all those engaged in the county legal deposit procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This research aimed to explore the openness of the citizens of Zagreb to the services of modern European and world public libraries in order to find out whether they are ready for such a library in Zagreb. Methodology: The survey was conducted using the online version of survey method, from 19th July to 19th September 2017, on a sample of 1,311 respondents. The questionnaire was composed of three parts. The first part of the survey consisted of 28 statements that covered the library services, space and design, shelving arrangement, additional services and additional benefits. In the second part of the survey, the respondents were allowed to comment freely. Demographic questions about gender and age of the respondents were set at the end of the questionnaire. Findings: The results have shown that it is generally very important for the respondents that a new library would offer services such as free wireless internet, access to databases and/or user access points. Women responded more positively than men regarding access to databases, availability of space for group and individual work, availability of a larger number of computers, self-servicing devices, etc. Statistically significant differences were found between different age groups of respondents. The most significant differences were between two groups of respondents - those aged from 16 to 24 years and the others aged from 55 to 65 years. The youngest respondents were more reluctant about the proposed new services and benefits, while the group of older respondents expressed greater openness to the novelties. The finding that younger respondents are more conservative about the new library services as compared to their 40 years older fellow citizens is a kind of surprise. Originality/value: In the campaign for the new building of the City Library in Zagreb, many protagonists have been changed over the last few years, many round tables and exhibitions have been organized, numerous forms and applications have been filled. Despite all this, the most important missing link were the citizens of Zagreb themselves. The Zagreb City Libraries invited citizens to express their opinions about what the new building of the City Library should represent, which services it should offer, and what contents it should have. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]