Fearing the library dragon : Why librarians should approach users instead of waiting for them

Bargmann, Monika Fearing the library dragon : Why librarians should approach users instead of waiting for them. GMS Medizin - Bibliothek - Information, 2007, vol. 7, n. 1. [Journal article (Unpaginated)]

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English abstract

The image of libraries and librarians in popular culture, press coverage and the public often does not live up to our expectations. Systematic management of public relations is expected to put things right. This article focuses on an important basis of reputation improvement: the interaction between academic librarians and students. It shows how the psychological phenomenon of library anxiety and the library profession's image are interconnected and includes recommendations for approaching patrons and public instead of waiting for them. The paper expresses personal views.

German abstract

Bibliotheken und BibliothekarInnen spielen eine Rolle in der Populärkultur, in den Medien und im Bewusstsein der Öffentlichkeit, bei der unsere Profession häufig in einer Weise dargestellt wird, mit der wir nicht zufrieden sein können. Gezielte Öffentlichkeitsarbeit für Bibliotheken soll hier Abhilfe leisten. Der Beitrag legt den Schwerpunkt auf die wichtige Basis für eine Verbesserung unseres Rufes: den Umgang mit den BenutzerInnen in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken. Zusammenhänge zwischen dem psychologischen Phänomen der "library anxiety" (Bibliotheksangst) und dem Image des bibliothekarischen Berufsstandes werden aufgezeigt, außerdem werden Vorschläge für die aktive Ansprache von BenutzerInnen gemacht. Der Text drückt eine persönliche Sichtweise aus.

Item type: Journal article (Unpaginated)
Keywords: academic library, public relations, profession, image, library anxiety, wissenschaftliche Bibliothek, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Berufsbild, Image, Bibliotheksangst
Subjects: I. Information treatment for information services > IJ. Reference work.
D. Libraries as physical collections. > DD. Academic libraries.
F. Management. > FD. Public relations.
C. Users, literacy and reading. > CB. User studies.
G. Industry, profession and education. > GZ. None of these, but in this section.
Depositing user: Monika Bargmann
Date deposited: 31 Jul 2007
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:08
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/10120

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