Sheila Pantry – författare

In these turbulent times, with the challenges of a constantly changing job market, shifting information-seeking behaviour and a vast array of new resources continually being produced, library and information services need to constantly keep one step, or more, ahead of their users. The benefits of analysing user behaviour are self-evident: better strategic planning, cost benefits and better use of budgets, better marketing, satisfied customers, satisfied management, and a library or information unit that is central to the needs of your parent organization. However, paradoxically, user needs and levels of expectation, including those of remote users, are often not fully explored. This accessible text goes back to the basics and investigates the following key issues:Why this book? Defining your usersUnderstanding users: the what, why, where, when, how and whoWhat is the current knowledge of user behaviour and needs: is it really predictable?Great expectations: how LIS professionals can manage and train usersUsing information about past user behaviourMaking the most of knowing your usersKeeping track of changes in what users wantTracking the future: electronic and social networkingFuture perfect? Readership: This book will help any library or information professional anywhere to take a fresh look at this important area and to tackle it in their organization, so as to ensure that their users will always obtain exactly what they want. Webmasters and knowledge managers will also find much to interest them.

This book is intended as a guide to help those who need to set up a library or information service in their organization, irrespective of subject background or type of organization. It will help both those who have qualifications but no experience in setting up such a centre and those who have had no training at all. The authors have had many years experience setting up information services in different subject backgrounds for a wide range of organizations both in the UK and in many countries. This book will hold your hand as you tackle the many steps to take as you create a successful information service - irrespective of size. Topics covered include: • the reasons for establishing a library • what information is needed, how quickly and in what quantities (information audit approach) • meeting the information needs of special users • premises and furniture • equipment and Internet access • technical requirements • staffing • managing budgets and finance • managing people - staff and management • networking and locating sources of information Readership: The book also has a full list of appendices of sample documents from newsletter and press releases to lists of basic reference books and periodicals.