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Recent developments in society, technology, and user expectations have required response from public libraries—specifically, the need to assess whether there have been changes in the qualifications necessary for public librarians to succeed. In an analysis of a nationwide study of LIS professionals, alumni, and faculty from five iSchools, this article addresses this topic by exploring the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are considered core for professional public librarians and how they align with current trends in the field. The study also examines how the KSAs for public librarianship compare with those for academic and school librarianship. The results are salient for public library directors, managers, and others concerned with trends in public libraries and LIS students interested in public library careers. The findings will also be of interest to LIS faculty as they review and develop curricula to prepare emerging public library professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many public libraries, particularly those in rural areas, a lack of funding, staff time, and distance from training locations create barriers to providing training and development to their staff. While studies exist on issues facing rural libraries and on the use of digital training tools in libraries, few studies have combined the two topics. The purpose of this study is to examine the use of digital staff training methods at rural public libraries and includes describing the formats and content of that training. The sampling method will target library administrators and trainers, reached through Georgia Public Library Service's listservs for staff in these roles. Data was collected by means of an online survey consisting of multiple choice and open-ended questions, and was analyzed by content analysis according to themes revealed in an exploration of current literature. Responses to certain questions were categorized in tables, and results were reported in a narrative describing themes and patterns that emerged from the data. The results of the study will assist rural public library directors, training staff, and trustees in exploring the ways that digital training can be used to improve their services to patrons by providing staff with training and education opportunities that are otherwise restricted or unavailable due to distance, time, and financial constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the early 1970's to the present, this article explores the history of the New York Public Library volunteer program and explains how past volunteer initiatives have not only continued to support the Library's mission but have created many staff led departments that still exist today. Volunteers help the library to support staff efforts to serve New Yorkers and the larger world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to extend the research on the emotional labour of public library workers. Because emotional labour is a relatively new concept in library and information science research, researchers and practitioners need to better understand the emotional labour experiences of front-line workers in public libraries. A qualitative survey was distributed electronically to library workers in one Canadian province. Participants described meaningful experiences connecting with customers, but they also identified major challenges in performing customer service work. Results showed that the public-facing display of regulated emotions that is ingrained in library customer service training often conflicts with inner emotions. The inability to reconcile opposing emotions and perceived limited administrative support affect individuals' enjoyment of work and their personal well-being. Participants reported exhaustion and burnout as outcomes of emotional labour. Library organizations must acknowledge the emotional labour aspect of library customer service work and provide more extensive formalized support for staff who are in customer service roles. Equipping staff with stronger emotional labour strategies could also help to build resilience and increase job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children on the autism spectrum are at risk of persistent impairments in literacy. Early literacy opportunities (e.g., Library Story Times) are thus important, but children on the spectrum experience barriers to participating in these. Our objective was to develop an online training package to support implementation of autism-friendly Story Time sessions for librarians. A mixed-methods approach was undertaken across three phases. Phase 1 included face-to-face training development and implementation (n = 22) and quantitative evaluation (autism knowledge, confidence, and social validation). Phase 2 included implementation in libraries and qualitative evaluation of the utility and implementation of training through librarian interviews (n = 5). Phase 3 included translation and implementation of an online module (n = 22) and quantitative evaluation (autism knowledge, confidence, and social validity). Participation in both training modalities increased knowledge of autism and confidence to include children on the spectrum in Story Time sessions. Social validity of both modalities was rated highly. Librarians indicated changes in practice following training, although full implementation of the package was limited to librarians receiving additional coaching. Limitations, future research, and implications in terms of future training and supports including the value of ongoing coaching for implementation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic change also affects work conditions in public libraries. Whilst there are signs that exclusive recruitment of staff specifically trained for the library sector makes no sense in order to cope with the complex future tasks and the positioning of libraries, the shortage of specialists makes the situation more acute. However, this offers the chance to open up access for other professional groups to work in libraries. Based on an online survey, a test project is presented that focuses on the consequences of demographic change for urban public libraries in North Rhine-Westphalia and possible implications for the future of these institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a mixed methods study of interlending and resource sharing in UK public libraries, based on the results of a survey distributed to both senior library managers and interlending staff, and in-depth follow-up interviews with 20 respondents. We present an analysis of perspectives towards rates of interlending, the rationales and strategies for providing the service, the perceived value for money offered by various interlending schemes, the impact of the current digital environment, and views on the future of interlending in the UK. Our findings suggest that while interlending services are undoubtedly threatened by the drastic cuts to public library funding, and that demand for the service is more generally in decline, resource sharing is viewed by some as a potential means of mitigating the effects of increasingly limited acquisitions budgets, and ensuring the public library system continues to provide access to a wide range of resources for its users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the contributions of Greg Holt to public libraries. Topics include a background on Holt's education, his becoming the executive director and city librarian of the Saint Louis Public Library (SLPL) in 1987, and an overview of his other career highlights. Also mentioned is his editorship of the journal "Public Library Quarterly."

The author of this article recognizes that massive and rapid change is a continuing feature in big libraries, and many of the changes are new: A social worker is a full-time staff member who helps other staff to sort out and deliver the best possible services to vulnerable populations, health care specialists who help plan health programs and provide direction to staff referrals to needed medical services, and librarians specially trained to help early childhood users prepare to be good learners in school. Working on this change agenda, library staff have learned that the library’s future work is not bound up by the limits of its “stuff” (i.e., owned or rented materials) or buildings but rather to the many communities of Philadelphia people whose economic, social, and cultural needs needed to be met. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: In this study the relationship between staff organizational commitment and providing optimal services to public libraries clients in the city of Mashhad is investigated. Methods: In this research both library and field study have been used. The study group consists of the 70 librarians working in public libraries in the city of Mashhad, and the sample group was determined by using Morgan table. In this study, the main variables are measured by using the two questionnaires mentioned below. To measure the efficiency, the standard John Wagner questionnaire, and to measure organizational commitment, Allen & Meyer questionnaire were used. Research findings: The result of this study shows that the average organizational commitment is equal to 3.28, the minimum amount is equal to 2.33 and maximum amount is equal to 4.40. It is clear that there is a relationship between librarians' organizational commitment in Mashhad and providing optimal services, the Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.543 and the significance test level is 0.000 as well. As the significance level is less than 0.50 in Pearson test, the independence of variables is rejected, i.e. there is a relationship between librarians' organizational commitment in Mashhad and providing optimal services. Conclusion: This study can determine the importance of this variable and its impact on optimal service delivery to clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the 14 day training program organized by Büchereizentrale Niedersachsen library of Lower Saxony, Germany for employees of public libraries to be held on different dates of year 2016.

The article discusses the impact of recent political developments on the mission of public libraries in Sweden. It reports from an ongoing research project that examines how library managers and librarians experience changes in the political landscape, which challenge the established the mission of public libraries to promote a democratic society. It mentions the interplay between national policies and local politics, as well as opposition between the national and local political levels.

The article discusses the tensions experienced by staff and management in public and regional libraries in Sweden when supporting users in developing digital competencies. It mentions how public libraries in Sweden are mandated to promote the development of a democratic society through the dissemination of knowledge, and how the Digital First project was launched to develop public libraries' capability to support citizens in developing digital competencies.

The article discusses Phase 4 of the Welsh Information Literacy Project that aims at promoting information literacy understanding and development in the workplace, education and community in Wales. It notes that Phase 4 focuses on information literacy development among public library staff, secondary school pupils and Information Literacy Champions network creation.

This article is based on research conducted in 2012 to discover ways to improve digital information literacy skills of frontline public library staff in New Zealand using Kolb's model of experiential learning. Frontline public library staff are the interface between the library and the general public in a digital arena which is increasingly fluid and changeable. A semi-structured interview technique was used to interview nine staff recruited from two different organizations - a Level One, and a Level Three public library service as defined by the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA). Participants were those who spent more than thirty percent of their time serving the public. For reasons of finance or access staff are unable to gain sufficient digital information literacy skills in their own time to keep current in the workplace. Participants' preference for hands on learning and training by peers places them at the feeling end of Kolb's perception continuum. This article identifies the importance of using peer training mentors to provide regular team based digital information literacy training sessions and to provide workplace support after any formal classroom based training has been delivered. Continuing training in digital information literacy is essential for libraries to remain relevant and secure stakeholder support in a difficult economic climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]