Search

Goal. The goal of the paper is to show the implementation of library services in the homes for older adults in the city of Zagreb during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to June 2022. Approach/methodology/design. Library services in homes for the older adults in the city of Zagreb are implemented within the Books at your door programme of the 65 plus project at the Zagreb City Libraries. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have made it difficult to design and implement library services for older people in libraries. Due to the protection of health, particularly large restrictions have been placed on contacts with elderly people in homes for the older adults. As a result of this challenge, the librarians have devised ways to stay in touch and provide library services to the home users during periods of greater and lesser restrictions on access to the homes. Results. The paper describes in detail the implementation and the results of the Books at your door programme from March 2020 to June 2022. Library services and various cultural programs that were carried out during the pandemic in homes for the older adults, organized by the Zagreb City Libraries, are presented and described. The results are based on and supported by the statistical data from the annual reports of the 65 plus project. Originality/value. The cultural activities that are carried out for the older adults by the libraries, sometimes in difficult business circumstances, are examples of good practice aimed at sensitizing the public and increasing care for the well-being of the elderly people. The experiences gained during the implementation of the Books at your door programme in difficult conditions during the pandemic can help experts and practitioners in designing library services in times of crisis. The data recorded in this paper also represent a kind of public archive on the cooperation between libraries and homes for the older adults in the Zagreb area during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal: The paper seeks to point out and discuss the possibilities of using smartphones in libraries, with special reference to the existing Croatian library applications. Methodology: The research is based on literature review and an overview of the achievements in the use of smartphones in Croatian public libraries. Results: The fact that smartphones have become an important factor in our everyday lives was recently confirmed by a survey conducted by Ipsos in 2018 for Huawei which states that 70% of respondents take their smartphones with them even when they briefly leave their apartments. The digital world is enveloping us and is taking an increasing part of our days and lives, so the librarians are also making more and more use of the possibilities of digital technologies in their daily work in order to provide the highest quality service to their patrons. The librarians' slogan "to be where the users are" certainly applies to smartphones and mobile library services. In this paper, we try to briefly discuss the possibilities of using smartphones in practice, with special reference to the existing Croatian library applications. Social significance: The author points out the advantages of smartphones in offering new services to users of Croatian public libraries. Originality: Prior to this paper, there have not been papers in Croatian professional literature presenting in one place a systematic review of smartphones and their use in public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to determine the reading needs and interests of high school students in the Gymnasium A. G. Matoš Đakovo, whether the Đakovo City library meets them and whether the public library encourages young people to read for pleasure. Methodology. The research was conducted during May 2020 at the Gymnasium A. G. Matoš Đakovo. The research was based on an online survey which was completed by 75 students of the gymnasium. Results. The results have shown that the respondents think of reading as an escape from reality. Also, they consider that reading is fun and that it helps them develop skills. The results have shown that the respondents prefer to read the romance and crime genres, as well as books featuring characters with whom they can identify and books about everyday difficulties. Furthermore, the research has shown that the majority of the respondents use the services of the public library and that they are satisfied with them, but that most of them do not attend the activities organized by the library. Some of the respondents are not users of the Đakovo City library because they do not read in their free time or fulfill their reading needs elsewhere. However, the results have shown that most respondents do not know whether the public library encourages them to read or what the library could do to encourage them to read more for pleasure. Limitations. The research was conducted online at the time when the classes took place online in virtual classrooms, resulting in a smaller sample than what could have been expected if the research had been conducted live in the school with direct contact with students. Practical use. The results can serve as a guideline for improving the existing and developing the future programs and services for young people in the public library in Đakovo. Value. The research provides an insight into the reading needs and interests of gymnasium students in the town of Đakovo and whether the public library fulfills them. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge about the reading needs and interests of young people in Croatia, as well as the role of public libraries in meeting the needs and interests of their young patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The paper presents the Public Library "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Karlovac online services, which enabled more efficient work in a pandemic circumstances caused by the COVID-19 virus. Virtual programs that have been held from March 2020 until today are also presented in more detail. The aim of this paper is to show possibility of continuing the production of library programs in exceptional circumstances as well as to present a new way of organizing library operations. Approach. The first part of the paper analyzes the theoretical framework of the library work at the global and national level in the circumstances of the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus. The second part of the paper provides a detailed overview of the Public Library "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Karlovac virtual services and programs for all ages, which include literary meetings, creative workshops, presentation of online library services and user education, quizzes, virtual exhibitions, and reading recommendations. The results of the user satisfaction survey with the mentioned services and programs are also presented. Results. The review of innovative programs and services designed to encourage reading, develop creativity and acquire new skills in the new circumstances shows how the Public Library "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Karlovac in its work continuously seeks to redefine the role of the library in light of upcoming changes and how its approach contributes to local community development. Originality. The examples of good practice in the Public Library "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Karlovac emphasize the importance of changing the way of working as well as the way of thinking in the age of coronavirus and can serve as a model for other libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The paper presents library programs and remote services of the Public Library "Petar Preradović" Bjelovar during the COVID-19 epidemic in the period from March 16 to April 24, 2020, when the library was physically closed to users. The adapting of the library to emergency situations in the context of designing and implementing remote services is considered, as well as the remote communication of the library with its users using communication media and channels based on information and communication technology. Methodology. The methodological approach to the topic is presented in the research of the literature related to library management in crises and distance library services. Furthermore, an important topic covered by the literature is the media communication of libraries in crisis situations. This paper brings a synthesis of this research, i.e. a critical reflection on the topic with some examples of good practice. Results. By inspecting the relevant professional and scientific literature and through examples of good practice, it was noticed that the remote services provided in public libraries could more or less successfully implement various services that do not require physical presence of the users in the library. Likewise, these services can be further promoted and developed in collaboration with the local joint media programs, with the help of communication channels based on information and communication technology. Value. The paper emphasizes the importance of adapting library operations to extraordinary situations, in this case the COVID-19 epidemic, both in theory and in practice. Furthermore, the paper highlights examples of good practice that should serve as an example to other librarians in setting guidelines for designing and implementing distance services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of this research was to determine the information needs and reading habits of the users of the mobile library services of the Zadar Public Library, as well as their satisfaction with the existing services and the choice of library materials available at the mobile library service. The purpose was to gather user feedback in order to support the continuation of the services that are important to the users, with the possible further service improvements. Approach/methodology/design. The research included a questionnaire that was distributed to 100 mobile library users of all ages during the summer of 2019, and two interviews with the information services librarians that were conducted during the summer of 2020. The sample included the users from the islands and coastal areas that are served by the mobile library no. 2 from the Zadar City Library. Findings. Pupils and adults are the two main groups of mobile library users. The pupils borrow more multimedia, entertainment, and sports books, and they read children's books, while the adults borrow more fiction and non-fiction books. The adult users, who are employed or retired, stated that they were mostly satisfied with the choice of books, while the pupils were completely satisfied. The users were completely satisfied with the information services librarians. These librarians take care of user recommendations and availability of library materials because they are well aware of the needs of the regular library members. Research limitations. The sample did not include the mobile library service no. 1, which serves mainly the inland of the Zadar County. The research was conducted during the summer, and most of the mobile library stops that are next to the schools were empty because of the summer holidays. Practical implications. Further improvement of library services and acquisition of new library materials can be carried out on the basis of the user suggestions and their satisfaction with the availability of library materials. Social implications. An insight into the needs of the mobile library users in rural areas enables further work on equalizing access to information in both rural and urban areas. The high user satisfaction confirms the irreplaceable role of the Zadar Public Library mobile library service in the county settlements that do not have stationary libraries. Originality/value. Considering that there are very few similar surveys in Croatia related to mobile libraries, the methodology and the results of the work can serve other mobile library services as an example of good practice when they wish to examine the needs and satisfaction of users in order to improve the services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the emergence of library services for children in countries with a developed public library system, Croatian public libraries started developing special sections and services for children. This paper provides a review of the development of children's library services in Croatia from 1950's to 2005, describing the situation in children's libraries based on the data presented in 2004 by the Commission for Children's Libraries of the Croatian Library Association. The latter indicated a significant difference in the development of children's libraries in Croatia, both in terms of specific activities and in terms of the context in which they operate. This suggests a need for setting the basic standards which would define in more detail the conditions for performing activities focused more on the needs and rights of the users of children's libraries. The development of a clear operating strategy for children's services, as part of the general public libraries strategy, is yet another precondition for the development and successful operation in the field of children's library services in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]