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In-between strengthened accessibility and economic demands : analysing self-service libraries from a user perspective

Engström, Lisa LU orcid and Rivano Eckerdal, Johanna LU orcid (2016) In Journal of Documentation 73(1). p.145-159
Abstract
Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the implementation of self-service at public libraries from the perspective of their users. The implementation of self-service is related to a diverse societal context including for example an overall digitalisation, budget constraints and political expectations on public libraries to contribute to marketing the local community.
Methodology - Semi-structured interviews with users and observations have been undertaken at self-service libraries in the south of Sweden. The material is analysed by means of a theoretical framework consisting of previous critical LIS-research, Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis and Habermas’ theory of the colonisation of the lifeworld.
Findings - The... (More)
Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the implementation of self-service at public libraries from the perspective of their users. The implementation of self-service is related to a diverse societal context including for example an overall digitalisation, budget constraints and political expectations on public libraries to contribute to marketing the local community.
Methodology - Semi-structured interviews with users and observations have been undertaken at self-service libraries in the south of Sweden. The material is analysed by means of a theoretical framework consisting of previous critical LIS-research, Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis and Habermas’ theory of the colonisation of the lifeworld.
Findings - The implementation of self-service is affecting the users’ library practices as well as their expectations on the library. These expectations are shaped by various and sometimes competing discourses.
Social implications - To support public libraries’ role as democratic public spheres the complexity of the users’ understandings should be taken into consideration when implementing self-service.
Originality/value – The differing expectations articulated by the users, and the various discourses they can be related to, implicate a hegemonic struggle, corresponding to a changing view on public libraries.
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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of Documentation
volume
73
issue
1
pages
15 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • scopus:85006700565
  • wos:000395677700008
ISSN
0022-0418
DOI
10.1108/JD-02-2016-0013
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
645c4053-e53c-4edf-b095-49913cfa4726
date added to LUP
2016-08-22 12:35:02
date last changed
2024-01-04 11:08:01
@article{645c4053-e53c-4edf-b095-49913cfa4726,
  abstract     = {{Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the implementation of self-service at public libraries from the perspective of their users. The implementation of self-service is related to a diverse societal context including for example an overall digitalisation, budget constraints and political expectations on public libraries to contribute to marketing the local community.<br/>Methodology - Semi-structured interviews with users and observations have been undertaken at self-service libraries in the south of Sweden. The material is analysed by means of a theoretical framework consisting of previous critical LIS-research, Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis and Habermas’ theory of the colonisation of the lifeworld.<br/>Findings - The implementation of self-service is affecting the users’ library practices as well as their expectations on the library. These expectations are shaped by various and sometimes competing discourses. <br/>Social implications - To support public libraries’ role as democratic public spheres the complexity of the users’ understandings should be taken into consideration when implementing self-service.<br/>Originality/value – The differing expectations articulated by the users, and the various discourses they can be related to, implicate a hegemonic struggle, corresponding to a changing view on public libraries.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Engström, Lisa and Rivano Eckerdal, Johanna}},
  issn         = {{0022-0418}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{145--159}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{Journal of Documentation}},
  title        = {{In-between strengthened accessibility and economic demands : analysing self-service libraries from a user perspective}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2016-0013}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/JD-02-2016-0013}},
  volume       = {{73}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}