Research on the impact of academic libraries – areas, methods, indicators
| Pages | 583-592 |
| Published date | 11 November 2019 |
| Date | 11 November 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-02-2019-0005 |
| Author | Ewa Głowacka |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Hr in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Research on the impact of
academic libraries –areas,
methods, indicators
Ewa Głowacka
Institute of Information Science and Book Studies,
Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Torun, Poland
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to indicate the place of assessment of the impact of libraries in the
overall quality evaluation of these institutions. In the paper, an attempt has been made to separate the
concepts of the impact and values of library services and, according to the designated scope, the most
important areas of research, methods and indicators for the assessment of the impact of academic libraries
were characterized. The focus was on the most important areas, i.e. on the impact of libraries on didactics and
academic research, information literacy and on its assessment in the cultural and environmental aspect.
Design/methodology/approach –A literature-based overview of actual insights on tasks and areas,
methods, indicators research on the impact of academic is provided.
Findings –The author has determined that the analysis of the impact of academic libraries can mainly
concern the following areas: information (influence on didactics, research and information competence of
users), cultural and environmental. That is why it is worth analyzing the most important methods and
indicators of research on the impact of academic libraries in these areas. The best way to research the quality
of libraries, and especially to determine its impact on users and the environment, is to use a mixed
methodology –a whole set of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques. Triangulation can involve
the use of both qualitative and quantitative data or the use of multiple methods to develop one type of data.
Research limitations/implications –However, these methods were used to study the impact of academic
libraries, whose results do not determine the financial value.
Practical implications –The paper shows the methods of research on the quality of the functioning of
academic libraries with a special emphasis on the study of their impact on users and the social environment.
Social implications –The paper showsthe methodology of determiningthe social role of academiclibraries.
Originality/value –The paper intends to add to the body of knowledge about the researchmethodology for
the impact of academic libraries.
Keywords Academic libraries, Methodology, Library evaluation, Aspects, Assessment methodology,
Impact of academic libraries
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Nowadays, libraries as institutions operating in real and virtual space face numerous
challenges resulting primarily from changes taking place in their technological and social
environment. They result in transformations on the information services market and
changes in users' needs, behaviors and habits, which makes it necessary to compete on the
information, cultural and educational services market. There are numerous possibilities of
actions, often used to strengthen the role of the library and show the value of its functioning
for users and the environment. One of the important and comprehensive ways to respond to
this difficult situation is to conduct quality assessments of libraries. The main goals of such
research are to learn about user interactions with library resources, products and services,
to collect data and analyze the effectiveness and quality of their services. An important
element is also the assessment of the impact of library activity on users and its value for
stakeholders. The research results provide knowledge about current and future needs as
well as the current functionality and impact of the library. Thanks to this, they help adjust
the library as well as actions and attitudes of its employees to the requirements of the
environment and users. The conducted research and assessments must take into account
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 8/9, 2019
pp. 583-592
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-02-2019-0005
Received 3 February 2019
Revised 16 June 2019
Accepted 25 June 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
583
The impact of
academic
libraries
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