The Library...Views and Use of...Answer these Questions Please!!

I have to do a paper for a Library/Information Studies class and I need an interviewee.
And, instead of doing it face to face I thought about the wonderful mix of folks here at DU. Sorry, but NO LIBRARIANS (or people who have studied about libraries)please.

The assignment is to get an idea about what people know about libraries and how they work.

I'd reeeeally appreciate anybody taking the time to answer these few questions that I need to use in my paper.

If you are of the mind to help (Thanks) then please answer them *ALL* and include your *SEX* and approx. *AGE*. Also, feel free to give as short or as detailed an answer as you'd like but please give an answer for each question. (please no "n/a")

And a BIG Thanks for all who help.

Mark

(I'll post the questions here. Hopefully, they don't need clarification but I'll be in and out throughout the day to check. )


Age:
Sex:
Locaton (NE, South, West Coast, etc):
Your Background (Whatever you'd like to tell...work, religion, education etc.)

Questions:
• Background:
1. What library do you use most often?
2. What kind of library is it?
3. How often do you use it?

• Library collection:
4. Who decides what materials will be in the library?

• Library services:
5. What services are offered by the library to its users?
6. What will the library do for you?
7. What can you ask for?
8. What can’t the library staff do for you?
9. What kinds of help will they give you?

• Library staffing:
10. What kind of staff does a library have?
11. How do they learn their jobs?
12. How do they get into library work?

•Library value:
13. How important is it to you personally to have access to a library and why?
14. How important is it for your community?
15. What alternatives do you use to find information?

16. What aspects of the library do you consider positive / negative?

17. What would you like to be able to find more of at the library?
18. What services would you like to see offered or strengthened?
19. What library services do you think are unnecessary?

If you did, let me know.

I neglected to ask some basic background info of my original interviewees.

If you wouldn't mind could you tell me a bit about yourself.

Your Background (Whatever you'd like to tell...work, religion, education etc.)

I'll try and PM those who responded earlier to get this extra info. If I can't then I need additional DUers input.

Thanks again.

but my library science courses and 8 years working in libraries disqualify me, I'm afraid.

I'm itching to answer, though. Libraries are still central to my being, 11 years out.

(except its 17 years as a librarian, may the gods of cataloging have mercy). but since i'm new here i just thought i'd say its nice to know theres other librarians here.

I left the library 11 years ago for teaching. I love both; I could happily do either or both.

:hi:

Age: 49
Sex: F
Locaton (NE, South, West Coast, etc):AZ
Your Background (Whatever you'd like to tell...work, religion, education etc.)some college, 30 years in the food service industry

Questions:
• Background:
1. What library do you use most often? local city library
2. What kind of library is it? local city
3. How often do you use it? 3-4 times a year

• Library collection:
4. Who decides what materials will be in the library? the librarian?? i don't know

• Library services:
5. What services are offered by the library to its users? research, i suppose, books can be brought in from other libraries in the circle?
6. What will the library do for you? ??? don't know
7. What can you ask for? don't know
8. What can’t the library staff do for you? read the books?
9. What kinds of help will they give you? suggestions on finding books on the topic you are interested in

• Library staffing:
10. What kind of staff does a library have? librarians and helpers
11. How do they learn their jobs? helpers just learn OTJ, librarains have a degree
12. How do they get into library work? civil service exams?

•Library value:
13. How important is it to you personally to have access to a library and why? fairly important, but not as much as a few years ago
14. How important is it for your community? extremely
15. What alternatives do you use to find information? internet

16. What aspects of the library do you consider positive / negative? ??what?? i don't get the question

17. What would you like to be able to find more of at the library? movies/dvds?
18. What services would you like to see offered or strengthened? :shrug:
19. What library services do you think are unnecessary? don't know


well I sure I was a great help (NOT) hehhehehhe

Age:
You know
Sex: Male
Locaton (NE, South, West Coast, etc):
SE
Your Background (Whatever you'd like to tell...work, religion, education etc.):
You know

Questions:
• Background:
1. What library do you use most often?
Central Library
2. What kind of library is it?
Public Municipal
3. How often do you use it?
5 or 5 times per year in person. Another 2 or 3 over the phone.

• Library collection:
4. Who decides what materials will be in the library?
The staff, I imagine.

• Library services:
5. What services are offered by the library to its users?
Book collection for check out, audio/video collection, reference collection, reference services, meeting facilities, story-telling and other events.
6. What will the library do for you?
They are very enthusiastic in providing reference help along with all the other typcical library service.
7. What can you ask for?
Anything, that I'm aware of.
8. What can’t the library staff do for you?
Nothing, that I'm aware of (within the scope of what one might consider usual library services -- they won't cook me breakfast, I assume.)
9. What kinds of help will they give you?
From identifying proper reference materials, to locating books, to giving instructions for operating equipment (microfiche, computers, copiers), they are very helpful.

• Library staffing:
10. What kind of staff does a library have?
People who seem to really be into librarying.
11. How do they learn their jobs?
Never thought much about it recently. If asked prior to a family member enroling in a library sciences program, I might have said on-the-job traning.
12. How do they get into library work?
Sending resumes to libraries?

•Library value:
13. How important is it to you personally to have access to a library and why?
Extremely important. I think equal access to information is essential to our democracy.
14. How important is it for your community?
Very important. Communities without libraries are backwaters.
15. What alternatives do you use to find information?
You're looking at it.

16. What aspects of the library do you consider positive / negative?
Positive: Free access to information and literature. Negative: Can't think of much. If pressed, I suppose the only thing I could think of is that sometimes (very rarely) one encounters a grump on the staff -- one who doesn't provide friendly customer service.

17. What would you like to be able to find more of at the library?
Multiple copies of new books. The waiting list for popular titles can get quite long.
18. What services would you like to see offered or strengthened?
Greater access to prviate/subscription data services (like Nexus/Lexus) and more free meeting facilities.
19. What library services do you think are unnecessary?
The lending art collection is kind of interesting, but not really "necessary" I suppose.