Search

Purpose: The article presents findings from a study, which investigated the state of library collections and services in Croatian prisons. Methodology: The study was conducted between April and June 2019, with the help of an anonymous survey. The whole population (23 correctional institutions) were included in the study. Valid responses were obtained from 22 institutions. Findings: The paper presents the most recent data about library collections and services of Croatian prison libraries, the organization (funding, collection building, staff, space, programming etc.) and their use. Also, insight into prison staff's perception about the importance of reading and prison libraries in general, is given. Research limitations: These are linked to the difficulties with personal contact with respondents and the limitations that are inherent to the quantitative methodology used. Originality and value: The study presents important findings about the state of prison libraries in Croatia. Based on the comparisons with a previous study and IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to Prisoners, recommendations are made for the development of Croatian prison libraries according to the international best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter presents findings from a study into reading interests and habits of prisoners in six Croatian penitentiaries, and their perception and use of prison libraries. The study was conducted with the help of self-administered print survey. A total of 30% of prison population (male and female) in selected prisons was included in the study and a total of 504 valid questionnaires were returned (response rate of 81.3%). Findings indicate that reading is the respondents' most popular leisure activity and that they read more now than before coming to prison. Respondents read more fiction than non-fiction. Most frequently they read crime novels, thrillers, and historical novels. To a lesser degree, they read religious literature, biographies, spiritual novels, social problem novels, self- help, war novels, science fiction, erotic novels, romances, spy novels and horrors. Respondents would like to read daily newspapers and magazines, and books about sport, health, travel, computers, hobbies, cookbooks, etc. Respondents have wide reading interests (both in relation to fiction and non-fiction) but they do not have access to them in their prison library. Respondents reported that reading makes their life in prison easier and their time in prison passes faster with books. Only about a quarter of respondents are satisfied with their prison library collection. Almost a fifth of respondents does not visit the library at all because it does not have anything they would like to find there: newspapers, modern literature, non-fiction, reading material for visually impaired and computers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal. The goal of this paper is to offer a historical overview of the activities of the Department of Information Sciences at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Osijek from its foundation until present. The paper is focused on the scientific, teaching and professional activities of the Department, student population and learning outcomes and competences of the graduate students. Approach. On the basis of published (and internal) documentation and research and professional papers on the Department and its numerous outcomes (teaching, learning, research, communal) as well as the levels of satisfaction of both students and employers, the paper illustrates the motivation for foundation of the Department, its past and present activities and plans for development. Results. The paper presents results of the authors' view of Department's activities, its strong sides, possible areas of improvement and directions of future development. Value. This paper enumerates numerous Department's activities and describes them and their historical background in one place. As the Department grows, it changes and it is imperative that those changes remain described and published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The paper presents the research results aimed at investigating the participation of the librarians employed in different types of library institutions in the Republic of Croatia in various continuing professional development activities (reading professional literature, participation in conferences and scientific research), and identifying their perception of domestic scientific research in librarianship (relevance, weaknesses, research problems, etc.). Methodology. The research was conducted in May 2018 using the anonymous online questionnaire (13 questions with multiple choice answers and open questions). The study used the convenience sampling method. The quantitative analysis was conducted on 227 correctly completed questionnaires using the SPSS statistical package. The qualititative data were analysed with the help of the content analysis method. Findings. The findings have given an insight into the amount of time the respondents have devoted to reading the professional literature and participation in the conferences. In addition, their participation in scientific research, collaboration with scholars, and their perception of scientific research in librarianship in Croatia have been analyzed. Limitations. The size and the representativity of the sample.Originality/Value. Although continuing professional education of librarians has already been discussed before, the Croatian professional literature seems to lack studies into librarians' perception of scientific research. This study reveals original findings on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to discuss theoretical foundations of library architecture in the 21st century. The emphasis is on elements that have introduced changes and a move toward new approaches in designing library buildings, and principles that remain as foundation of library architecture from Faulkner-Brown to today. Special attention is given to functional approaches and new concepts in architectural design of contemporary libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The study investigated library and information science students' motivations for and experiences with electronic database searching. Method. Data were gathered through a self-administered print survey in May 2014 among undergraduate and graduate library and information science students at three Croatia's state universities. Analysis. Quantitative analysis was conducted on 209 correctly completed questionnaires using the SPSS statistical package. Besides descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, T-tests, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney Test and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to test possible differences between the groups in the sample. Statistical difference was tested at the level of 95%. Results. Almost all respondents indicated that they obtained electronic database training at university, but only slightly more than a half think that they are good or very good at searching this source of information. Although the majority of respondents indicated that they are intrinsically motivated to use electronic databases, they reported a more frequent use of Google than electronic databases when writing academic papers. Among the main barriers related to electronic database use respondents reported limited access to databases from home, the habit of using Google when searching for information either for private or academic purposes and difficulties with understanding the language (English) of publications available in databases. Conclusion. The results of the study could be used by university teachers and librarians when organizing their electronic resources, promoting their use and preparing information literacy classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an exploratory study whose aim was to investigate selected aspects of information needs and information seeking behavior related to the European Union (EU) by public library users in an EU acceding country. Research questions addressed the importance of European information for respondents, types and context of EU information needs, and various aspects of the information seeking process (e.g., information sources consulted, obstacles encountered while seeking information). The findings revealed a high need for information about the EU and relatively low level of knowledge about the EU among the respondents. The results indicated that respondents required different types of EU-related information, mainly for personal reasons because they wanted to better understand the European Union in general and its effects on their everyday lives. The majority of respondents preferred readily available sources to access EU information, such as the Internet and TV/radio. Libraries and official EU publications were rarely used. When searching for European information, the majority of respondents faced the same problems as respondents in long-established EU countries: they struggled with the large amount of information related to the EU and they had difficulties in where to look for EU-related information. This is the first study of EU information needs and seeking behavior in an acceding country, and the findings are expected to be of interest to European administrations charged with the development of effective communication policies, national authorities in EU candidate and acceding countries, and information professionals in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a study which aimed to investigate the use of computers in Croatian public libraries. Authors set off from two assumptions: a) despite high Internet penetration rate in Croatia, citizens still require free access to computers and Internet in their local public libraries and b) library computers are used for different purposes (information, communication, fun, education etc.). The study, in which 191 library computer users from eastern Croatian took part, confirmed the initial assumptions. The results show that the most frequent users of this library service are persons aged 19 to 34. In most cases they use library computers because it's convenient since they are already in the library to return books (47,1%) and because it is free (26,7%). The majority of respondents uses library computers to search the Internet (55,0%) and to do school work (write homework) (53,4%). As the most important problems related to this service respondents reported insufficient number of computers (40,8%) and old computers (30,9%). It is expected that the results of this study will help librarians to better understand the needs and information behavior of their users and that the given methodology will prompt more similar and longitudinal studies, hopefully on a larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Vjesnik Bibliotekara Hrvatske is the property of Croatian Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article contributes to the professional discussion of prison librarianship in the context of intellectual freedom and social justice paradigm. It presents results from a nationwide survey of the prison libraries in Croatia. Survey was conducted in 2013 through a mailed questionnaire that received a 91.3% response rate. The study set off to answer the following research questions: How are Croatian prison libraries organised and managed? and What kind of library collections and services are offered to incarcerated persons in Croatia? The results show that almost all correctional institutions in Croatia provide some kind of minimal library services to their inmates. However, prison libraries in Croatia are not professionally managed nor are they regularly funded. Further, their collections are developed mainly through gifts and there is almost no evidence of any systematic programming which would lead to constructive and creative use of prisoners’ free time. Although there are some shining examples, it is evident that prison libraries in Croatia are underdeveloped and in need of a new organisational and financial model. Authors conclude with concrete recommendations for improved library services to this marginalised population in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of the study into perceptions and experiences of students and teachers in relation to the use of online encyclopaedia Wikipedia for academic purposes. In the study authors tried to answer the following research questions: "How do students and teachers perceive Wikipedia, as a source of academic information?", "Are there any differences between students and teachers?", "Do teachers consult Wikipedia in their academic work?", "Why and how do students use Wikipedia for academic purposes?", and "What factors influence students' and teachers' perceptions and uses of Wikipedia?". The study was conducted among students and teachers at Osijek University, Croatia, with the help of online and print survey. In respect to the perception of Wikipedia, the study showed that students had a more positive opinion of Wikipedia than teachers, and that among students there are differences in respect to their gender, scientific area and the frequency of their use of academic libraries and online databases. In relation to teachers, the statistically significant difference was found only in respect to the gender of respondents: male teachers had in general more positive attitude toward Wikipedia than their female colleagues. Although results show that teachers themselves rarely use Wikipedia for academic purposes, only 19.8% of respondents explicitly forbid their students to use this source. While teachers use Wikipedia more frequently in teaching than in the context of research and scientific work, students use Wikipedia to a larger degree because it is easily searchable than because it offers quality and reliable information. While for teachers' use of Wikipedia no statistically significant differences were found (e.g. gender, scientific area), in examining students' use of Wikipedia significant differences were found in relation to gender, level of study, scientific area, academic success, frequency of the academic library use and the perceived attitude of their teachers toward Wikipedia. Despite limited sample and drawbacks inherent to the method and instrument used, the results of the study can contribute to the understanding of students and teachers' information behavior in academic context, and in particular in relation to the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. At the same time, the results of this study can be used by academic teachers and librarians when preparing their classes in information literacy and evaluation of online sources in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary academic libraries have experienced profound changes lately under the influence of information and communication technology and changed approaches to teaching and learning. If academic libraries are to remain integral parts of the educational experience of students, librarians and managers of academic institutions need to rethink their physical and virtual spaces and services. The paper presents the results of a survey which aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of graduate students of humanities and social sciences regarding physical and virtual library spaces and services, and to assess their satisfaction with them. The results of the study show that the largest number of respondents use their academic library regularly (several times per month or week) and that more than half consider physical library spaces and services important for their successful learning. Interestingly, students reported that electronic library sources are more important to them than physical library spaces and services, although they prefer print material over electronic sources of information. Respondents had split opinions regarding their favourite learning place in the library: slightly more respondents preferred silent reading rooms over the group study rooms. The study has shown that the perception and use of academic libraries is influenced by gender, academic success and personal approach to studying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to present the exploratory study whose aim was to investigate the information needs and information-seeking behavior of post-secondary students related to the European Union (EU) in Croatia. Design/methodology/approach -- A total of 504 students enrolled in post-secondary education across country took part in this study. Data were collected through an online survey during a 60-day period preceding the Croatia's full membership in the EU. Findings -- The findings revealed the high need for information about the EU among the student population. The respondents required European information in a wide range of thematic areas and the majority of them did not feel well informed about the EU in general. Students responding required the European information both for personal reasons and for educational purposes. The majority of respondents required the EU information in order to better understand the EU in general and they faced a number of challenges when accessing it. Research limitations/implications -- Limitations inherent to the method used and the limited number of respondents. Future research should include a wider array of respondents (older citizens, professionals, etc.) so as to obtain a broad a picture as possible of information needs and seeking behavior related to EU. Practical implications -- The study offers valuable insight into the types of EU information needed by citizens (post-secondary students) in an acceding country. The survey results are expected to be of interest to European administration charged with the development of effective communication policies, national authorities in EU candidate and acceding countries, and information professionals in general. Originality/value -- This is the first study of EU information needs and seeking behavior in an acceding country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction, This study examined possible correlations between health information behaviour and illness perception among patients with rare chronic diseases. Illness perception is related to coping strategies used by patients and some health information behaviour practices may be associated with better coping and more positive perception of illness. Method. Print and online surveys containing questions about health information behaviour and illness perception were conducted in 2013 on a sample representing adult patients suffering from three rare diseases (systemic lupus erythematous, scleroderma and myasthenia gravis) in Croatia. 171 respondents participated in the study. Analysis. Quantitative analyses were carried out on 146 correctly completed questionnaires using the SPSS statistical package. Besides descriptive statistics, Chi-Square tests, T-tests and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to test possible differences between the groups in the sample. Spearman's rank correlation was used for testing statistical dependence between variables. Statistical difference was tested at the level of 95%. Results. Health information seeking was associated with more concern about the illness, but was not associated with personal control over the illness or patients' ability to understand the illness. Using patient organizations as an information source was associated with better understanding of the illness. Avoiding health information was associated with less personal control over the illness and less ability to understand the illness, but no association was found with concern about the illness. Conclusion. This research shows that there are correlations between health information behaviour and beliefs and feelings about the illness, which in turn affect coping strategies and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]