Management of Information and Library Services Theme

Management of Information and Library Services Theme

The focus of research in this theme is the management of Information and Library Services in all sectors. Members of the theme include Academic and Research staff, research students and LISU

Our aim is to investigate, develop and apply management theory in a multiplicity of Information and Library settings, including Public, Academic, Health and workplace environments.

Research partnerships with local, national and international organisations in the public, corporate and voluntary sectors underpin our activities.

We pursue research in  specific areas as illustrated below with selected examples of related projects:

1. Development and Organisation of Policy

• Building evidence to develop strategy, establish guidelines, and influence and advise policy makers.

Selected Projects:

Scoping Public Libraries' Activities in the area of Health and Well‑being in England;
Developing and evaluating the guidelines for the National Library for Health.
      
2. Development of Strategy and Services for Users

• Evaluation of user services to enhance and improve delivery

Selected Projects:

Evaluation of Children’s mobile library services in the UK;
Partnerships for Patients: Patient choice and the UK public library service
Derwent Library evaluation
Provision of access to research content to researchers outside their home institution
Information services for distance learning in Saudi Arabia;

3. Performance Measurement and Quality Management

• Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of service delivery and impact.

 
Selected Projects:

SCONUL Value Added and Impact Measurement Programme (VAMP);
Successful Primary School Libraries: case studies of good practice Research and Analysis into Trends in Public Library Performance in the UK

4. Staff Training and Development

• Assessing changing roles and responsibilities

Selected Projects

Development of the role of Clinical Librarian in Brazil, using UK model
Measuring the impact of Academic Liaison Librarians.

5.  Evaluation of Systems and Software

• Review and assessment of library and information systems

Selected projects:

Investigation in the UK Higher Education sector of the potential and actual implementation of Open Source Systems (OSS) in Libraries
Evaluation of Pharmacy systems in Saudi Arabia
PTFS- Europe Registry of Electronic Licences (RELI): additional research into barriers to take up of expressions of e-journals licences in machine-readable format and current demand for a RELI-type service

Contact details

For further information on the Group, its research projects or enquiries concerning research or consultancy, please contact Janet Harrison email: J.Harrison@lboro.ac.uk

tel: 01509-223055

fax: 01509-223053