Research activities in public libraries-findings from fieldwork: Facts and methods

Authors

  • Deborah Goodall

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/lirg350

Keywords:

research, public libraries, operational service, social impact, economic impact, trustworthiness, strategic potential

Abstract

Reports current research activities in public library services drawing from a series of interviews with 20 chief librarians. Findings reinforce earlier perceptions and findings about public library research activities. Of particular concern is the fact that research activity and method is largely confined to'simpler' issues of operational service development and does not extend to 'harder' research addressing the social and economic impact of the service. To assess trustworthiness and make best use of the data the interview transcripts are analysed using three techniques: initial data analysis by coding down, dilemma analysis, and intensive analysis carried out using the constant comparative method. Concludes that the restricted research capacity within the public library sector may endanger the realisation of its strategic potential.

Author Biography

Deborah Goodall

Deborah Goodall is currently a part-time research student in the Department of lnforrnation and Library Management at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. She is also a Librarian with North Tyneside Libraries. Her varied professional career has straddled the divide between public libraries and the academic sector, and between research, teaching and professional work. For some years Deborah was Secretary of LIRG.

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Issue

Vol. 22 No. 71 (1998)

Section

Reports

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