ABSTRACT

Ireland’s recently implemented My Open Library (MOL) service is operating in 15 public libraries following initial trials in 2014. MOL consists of the provision of extended opening hours during which no library staff are present. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight librarians from seven public libraries operating MOL to understand the uses and challenges of MOL. The findings show MOL’s popularity, user demographics, uses, staff absence, health and safety concerns, automated systems, increased workload, investment, expansion and improvements. This research has implications for key stakeholders of MOL as it provides an original contribution of practical value within the context of the government’s plans for expansion of the service. The findings also increase understandings of MOL and highlight recommendations as to how stakeholders may improve, expand and develop this socially significant public service. Future research can examine user demographics and preferences, the requirement for security guards during MOL hours and the concepts of equal access and expansion.

摘要

爱尔兰最近实施的 My Open Library (MOL) 服务在 2014 年的初步试验后在 15 个公共图书馆运行。MOL 包括延长开放时间，在此期间没有图书馆工作人员在场。在这项研究中，对来自 7 个运营 MOL 的公共图书馆的 8 位图书馆员进行了半结构化访谈，以了解 MOL 的用途和挑战。调查结果显示了 MOL 的受欢迎程度、用户人口统计、用途、员工缺勤、健康和安全问题、自动化系统、增加的工作量、投资、扩展和改进。这项研究对 MOL 的主要利益相关者有影响，因为它在政府扩大服务计划的背景下提供了具有实际价值的原创贡献。调查结果还增加了对 MOL 的理解，并强调了有关利益相关者如何改进、扩展和发展这一具有社会意义的公共服务的建议。未来的研究可以检查用户的人口统计和偏好、在 MOL 时间内对保安人员的要求以及平等访问和扩展的概念。