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The article is a reflection on the importance of a library as a public space as well as a "third place". Public libraries are far from being just the institutions that collect, catalogue, store and make available library materials. They are social spaces able to connect people of different believes, cultures and interests. They are a part of public cultural and educational infrastructures at a local level that are available to everybody on equal terms. The importance of library spaces for their users is multi-layered and it depends mostly on their needs and the needs of the local community. Public libraries are institutions of lifelong learning that not only offer basic services but also provide the feeling of homeliness, warmth, well-being, safety and shelter. However, they must be a regular feature in the life of people who are using them. "Third places" are informal spaces, which enable people to meet socialize and connect and to make new friendships. Thus, they provide the space for social interactions, and building social capital. A literature review presents and explains the concept of a "third place" that has been emerging for a long time in connection with the development of public libraries, but is difficult to understand - to what purpose it serves or what it actually is. This article determines to what extent the activities of the France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica meets the definition of the "third place". It is mostly based upon subjective observation and reflection on the subject, on personal experience and perception. It is also supported by the exchange of opinions with members and visitors attending the events at the France Bevk Public Library and the users of its services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The article uses sociological concepts in order to rethink the changes in library practices. Contemporary trends are discussed with regard to the changing nature of working habits, referring mostly to the new technology, and the (emergence of) the third space phenomenon. The author does not regard libraries only as concrete public service institutions, but rather as complex cultural forms, taking in consideration wider social context with a stress on users' practices in relation to space. Methodology/approach: The article is based on the (self-) observation of the public library use, and on the (discourse) analysis of internal library documents (i.e. annual reports and plans) and secondary sociological literature. As such, the cultural form approach represents a classic method of sociology of culture. Results: The study of relevant material in combination with direct personal experiences reveals socio-structural causes for the change of users' needs and habits, and points at the difficulty of spatial redefinition of libraries as well as at the power of the discourse. Research limitations: The article is limited to an observation of users' practices in some of the public libraries in Ljubljana and examines only a small number of annual reports -- the discoveries are then further debated from the sociological perspective. Originality/practical implications: The article offers sociological insight in the current issues of the library science and tries to suggest a wider explanation that could answer some of the challenges of the contemporary librarianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The analysis shows the geographical accessibility of library services to the population of the Coastal-Karst region and identifies gaps i.e. areas that are not covered or not adequately covered by library services. Methodology/approach: The analysis of accessibility of library services was conducted by comparing geographical locations of local libraries, travelling library stations and movable book collections according to the statistical data on population distribution in settlements in the Coastal-Karst area on the 1st of January 2011. Results: The analysis shows that library services are provided in all municipalities in the Coastal-Karst region. However, 53.5 % or 229 of all Coastal-Karst settlements remain uncovered or inadequately covered by library services, mostly in the area of the Kosovel Library of Sezana (105), followed by the Library of Koper with 72 villages and the Maksa Samsa Library of Ilirska Bistrica with 45 uncovered villages. On the other side the fact that only 21.5 % of inhabitants are left out of library services is encouraging. The establishment of local libraries in Dekani, Sv. Anton and Ankaran and the introduction of an additional mobile library would raise the percentage of population served by the library activity by 18 points (from current 78 % to 96 %). In areas without organized library activities only 4 % of the population of the Coastal-Karst region would be left out. Research limitation: Access to services for users with special needs who are not able to approach the library by themselves will be considered separately. For the same reason, the criterion of development and quality of individual library units was neglected. Originality/practical implications: The results of the research constitute the basis for an appropriate design of public libraries' network in the Coastal-Karst region in such a manner that it will ensure equal access to library services in geographically disadvantaged areas, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The arrangement of books in libraries has been very important since their beginnings. In the departments for children and youth in Slovenian public libraries, several arrangement systems have been in use. In the 60's of the last century the CPM system was introduced. The system is based on dividing materials into three age groups. Lately, the need for changing this system has emerged. Last year, the Oton Župančič Public Library in Ljubljana has introduced a new system for arranging materials for young readers. The main purpose of the article is to illustrate the reactions of other librarians to these changes and to find out if and how children's librarians use guidelines for the arrangement of materials. Methodology/approach: Survey questionnaires were distributed to participants at the meeting titled »Librarians answer to the contemporary reading scene: the presentation of test arrangement of materials for children and youth in MKL, a unit of the Oton Župančič Library, Ljubljana«. Results: Visitors of that meeting reacted positively to the new arrangement system. 77 % of them are prepared to adopt and use it in their libraries. The results also show that librarians have already included some additional groups for arranging materials, within the CPM system. 90% of librarians that answered the survey have modified the arrangement in their libraries or at least they use additional spine labels. Research limitation: Due to the small sample we can only assume that the results of the research reflect the general situation in Slovenian school libraries and youth departments of public libraries. Originality/practical implications: There is a need for restructuring and modernization of the current recommendations for the arrangement of book materials. The results also highlight the areas that should be given immediate priority and can support new solutions to the present arrangement system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article gives an insight into DOD project as a means for synergic solutions in the field of new library services establishment on the European level. It presents the activities and tasks completed within the project with an emphasis on three main project work packages: EOD service implementation, dissemination and communication and market analysis. A statistical overview of the EOD eBooks orders received by NUK from 2007 to 2009 is given and the results of market analysis are presented. The article concludes with an overview of current EOD network activities and some future projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In information era, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are more and more accessible for general application and consequently gaining in importance. GIS information system enables storing and analyzing data, but it differs from other information systems as the data are linked to location. This enables presentation of data in map form. Therefore, the application of GIS is possible also in the field of library services, either for analysis of current services or for planning current or future services. By applying GIS, demographical data can be added to geographical data, which can result in better analysis or planning. In the paper the possibility of GIS application in the field of librarianship is presented, especially acquisition and use of publicly accessible geographical and demographical data. The majority of the needed data already exists, one only needs to find and use them properly. When using the already existing data we contribute to cost effectiveness and to the improvement of efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An academic library is supposed to provide quality services to the students, faculty employees and others. The students, who constitute the majority of the users, often seem to lack the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and locate items within the library during this crucial period of life between education and employment. University librarians play a key role in explaining all the services of an academic library. A library is used by students mostly as a place to study, wait for their classes to start or search for the necessary literature. A question arose: how well do the students know the duties of academic librarians and how to encourage them to learn more about their work and find out what these information technology experts can offer? Students of the University of Ljubljana have been interviewed to determine that. 98 students of the average age of 23 years were interviewed in December 2008 and January 2009. The results showed their poor knowledge of academic libraries as most of the students do not know how many people are employed there and what their skills and everyday duties are. They do believe, however, that the professors encourage them to visit the library, but sadly do not perceive the librarians as qualified assistants of the faculty and only seldom credit them for their part in achieving their scholastic performance. We can therefore conclude that academic librarians are not key persons to the students during the time of attending the university. The academic library should try harder to emphasize its prominence and role in tertiary education as a key factor in information literacy - an important part of lifelong learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A public library is aimed to provide services to all age groups of a community. Thus, it should attempt to meet the specific needs of each user age group. The article is based on the empirical analysis of statistical data of the Bežigrad Public Library for the year 2007, a year before the integration of all Ljubljana public libraries and the merge of membership database took place. The lending of library collection arranged by the potential user age groups was analysed and consequently the suitability of shelf arrangement was evaluated. The results showed the circulation of users in the individual library departments when borrowing fiction or non-fiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]