Assessing Information Needs: Managing Transformative Library Services

by Robert J. Grover, Roger C. Greer, John Agada

Based on a tested model for community analysis, this book offers a guide to the management of client-centered transformative information services that can be applied in any type of library or information agency.

Knowing a community enables library and information professionals to prioritize the community's information needs and design appropriate services for them. Assessing Information Managing Transformative Library Services was written to provide the rationale for community analysis, a model for gathering community data, and a process for analyzing data and applying it to the management of an information agency.

The book explains why information professionals should customize services, as well as the "how to" of collecting data. A model for gathering community information is described, applied, and demonstrated through a case study. The book then shows how such information is interpreted and used to plan information services that are transformative for individuals and groups in the case-study community, providing lessons that readers can use with their own institutions. Rooted in a philosophy of customer service, the method presented here is perfect for public, school, academic, and special libraries or other types of information agencies.

Genres: Grad School, Textbooks

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Library of Congress Authorities:
Personal name heading: Grover, Robert, 1942-
Variant(s): Grover, Robert J., 1942- ; Grover, Bob, 1942-

Robert J. Grover is retired Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies at Emporia State University, where he had held the position of Dean and Professor of the School of Library and Information Management; has also held faculty positions the University of South Florida and University of Southern California; he earned his M.L.S. and Ph.D. from Indiana University and has co-authored Assessing Information Needs and Helping Those Experiencing Loss, both published by Libraries Unlimited.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

We talk a lot as librarians about needs assessment and this title provides a method that is clear and attainable. The book is also very engaging and an enjoyable read.

[Heather Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for readability
4 stars for information.
It's a textbook so. . . .