DO YOU COMMUNICATE?

Published date01 February 1993
Pages19-23
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/01435129310026157
Date01 February 1993
AuthorSusan J. Vanes
Subject MatterLibrary & information science
LIBRARY MANAGEMENT
Do You Communicate?
Susan
I.
Vanes
Essentially the role of a library is to provide
information in a variety of forms, which is
easily accessible to those who request it. All
libraries play a vital part in the
communication network, which is now
inherent in any developed society, and aim to
provide a service to all sorts of groups in
society. There are, however, a number of
problems associated with library use.
First, there are distinct physical barriers
which can discourage people from visiting
libraries. Where a library is located is of
prime importance in relation to how often it
is used: town centres or busy market areas
i.e. where there is a large number of people
would be ideal. Access by public transport
and available car-parking facilities are also
important. The library building itself should
be easy to identify, well signposted and well
lit at night. Opening hours should be clearly
displayed outside, Overall, the library
building should be made as inviting as
possible to attract the potential user and
hopefully encourage the non-user to
investigate further.
Most libraries are based on the concept of
self-service, so a large, visible plan indicating
the floor layout and clear signs showing how
the books are arranged on the shelves and
where subjects are located are fundamental to
library planning. Arranging stock in an
accessible manner and labelling it well will
reduce the time which many users have to
waste wandering around trying to find what
they want.
Another disincentive to library users is a
complex cataloguing and classification
system. A successful catalogue is one which
communicates effectively to users, guiding
them in the shortest possible time to the item
required, What many people experience is
exactly the opposite. Brian Redfern's opinion
of many catalogue sytsems is that they are
Library Management, Vol. 14 No. 2, 1993, pp. 19-23,
© MCB University Press, 0143-5124
unnecessarily complicated, possibly to elevate
the status of those who compiled them but
more often because they are designed for
librarians rather than users: "AACR2
convinces me that a committee constituted
for the construction of cataloguing codes
ought to have a majority of its members
drawn from those who are in daily contact
with readers"
[1,
p. 4]. Librarians should
remember Ranganathan's law, "Save the time
of the reader", when creating catalogues for
public use.
A standardized classification system is also
helpful. The Dewey Decimal Classification
Scheme is used in most British public
libraries. Unfortunately this scheme is far
from perfect and its separation of related
subjects can be a disadvantage for academic
libraries. However, as Bakewell points out[2,
p.
16], broken order can be used effectively,
provided there is adequate guiding.
Library security can also deter potential
users.
From a practical point of view,
security systems often present a physical
obstacle to those in wheelchairs or with
push-chairs and can unintentionally frighten
away the user who finds their presence
intimidating. Sadly, such security systems are
essential to reduce theft but perhaps a sign
could be erected explaining why they are in
operation and inviting clients to ask staff if
they need help.
Noise level is another complaint in many
libraries. While some users find noise a
distraction, others argue that a library can
sometimes be too quiet. This problem has
been overcome in some libraries by creating
separate study/reading areas and other areas
for group discussion with appropriate seating
arrangements.
Interior design is another important
element of library use. Many libraries are
dull, visually uninteresting and generally
unpleasant. To ensure a positive library
experience, librarians should give careful
consideration to such matters as wall-
coverings, lighting, heating and ventilation,
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