Assessing the Impact of Personal Computers on Informational Services in the Public Libraries of the Cleveland Public Library Consortium

In order to identify other libraries' policies regarding public access to personal computers, the Hudson Library and Historical Society sent a survey to the reference and/or informational services librarians in the 18 public libraries of the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Library Consortium. The purpo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Seiler, Jeffrey John
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.08.1994
Subjects
Cleveland Public Library OH
Comparative Analysis
Governing Boards
Librarians
Library Expenditures
Library Policy
Library Services
Library Surveys
Microcomputers
On the Job Training
Public Libraries
Questionnaires
Users (Information)
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Summary:In order to identify other libraries' policies regarding public access to personal computers, the Hudson Library and Historical Society sent a survey to the reference and/or informational services librarians in the 18 public libraries of the Cleveland (Ohio) Public Library Consortium. The purpose of the 32-item questionnaire was to determine if patrons were interested in using computers. The Hudson Library wanted to be able to justify the cost of computer hardware, software, and trained personnel to the Library's Board of Trustees. Seventeen out of the 18 libraries responded to the survey, a 94% response rate. Eighty-eight percent of the libraries responded that public access to personal computers was a service goal of their libraries, but only 80% of the libraries responded that they provided training for patrons who wanted to use the computers. Most of the libraries did not provide computer training for staff either; 70% of the people responsible for computer services taught themselves how to use the computers. The majority of the libraries had written policies for computer usage. Most of the librarians surveyed agreed that providing computer services to patrons was worthwhile even though they were struggling to find the time to be able to assist the patrons in using the computers. A copy of the survey questionnaire is included with the document. (Contains 5 references.) (DGM)