ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to show how Californian libraries deliver value, by taking a preliminary value framework previously developed from a study of academic literature, and applying it to the public library landscape in California. A “bricolage” approach was used to develop an evidence-based framework of value and subsequently to gather data about Californians’ use of and attitudes about public libraries. The framework was developed through an extended literature review and applied across data gathered through a survey of residents, interviews with library stakeholders, a review of statistics on library usage, and a review of the outcomes of grant-funded programs in California public libraries. The most significant outcome of our project is a unique value proposition for California’s public libraries. These libraries deliver value for individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole. They provide opportunities and support for learning and knowledge development, health and wellbeing, community development, and economic development. Value is delivered through a unique combination of resources, people, and space. California’s public libraries are largely offering services that are valued by the public; however, public awareness of the range and nature of services offered remains lower than desired. Practitioners can use the evidence-based framework and the unique value proposition to better understand the aspects of their library services that offer most value to their communities, and to make more persuasive cases for library support. This paper is the first to use an evidence-based framework of value in assessing the impact of California’s public libraries.

摘要

本文的目的是通过采用先前从学术文献研究中建立的初步价值框架，并将其应用于加利福尼亚的公共图书馆景观，来展示加利福尼亚图书馆如何交付价值。“拼凑”方法被用来开发一个基于证据的价值框架，随后收集有关加利福尼亚人对公共图书馆的使用和态度的数据。该框架是通过扩展文献审查而制定的，并应用于通过居民调查、图书馆利益相关者访谈、图书馆使用统计数据审查以及加州公共图书馆赠款资助计划成果审查收集的数据。我们项目最重要的成果是加州公共图书馆的独特价值主张。这些图书馆为个人、家庭、团体、社区和整个社会提供价值。它们为学习和知识发展、健康和福祉、社区发展和经济发展提供机会和支持。价值是通过资源、人员和空间的独特组合来交付的。加州的公共图书馆主要提供受公众重视的服务；然而，公众对所提供服务的范围和性质的认识仍然低于预期。从业者可以使用基于证据的框架和独特的价值主张来更好地了解其图书馆服务为社区提供最大价值的方面，并为图书馆支持提供更有说服力的案例。