An investigation and evaluation of personnel training and standards for small rural public libraries in the state of Kansas.

Abstract

Background: Consumers expect to be able to access quality, state-of-the-art information services through America's public libraries. This expectation includes librarians facilitating the consumer's access to information as well as the equipment needed to provide that access. The fulfillment of the information age includes having information available when and where it is needed. Libraries with adequate funding can more readily meet consumers' information needs by providing a broad variety of technological and automated resources. Small rural libraries with limited funding, however, struggle to meet even the most basic information needs. Limited funding affects the quality of technology, resources, and staffing. Most states, including Kansas, publish standards for technology, resources, and personnel training. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if public libraries in Kansas serving a population of less than 1,000 meet the automation equipment and personnel training standards as defined in the Measurements of Quality: Public Library Standards for Kansas (1995). Methodology: The study design was non-experimental and non-randomized with descriptive analysis. Data were collected using a mailed survey and verbal interviews. Surveys were mailed to all Kansas public libraries that were classified as gateway or linking libraries; in other words, those that have a service population of under 1,000. There were a total of 130 libraries identified as fitting the definition of linking and gateway libraries in the State of Kansas. Of the 130 surveys mailed, 115 (88%) were completed and returned during the data collection period. Further interviews were conducted verbally with those libraries returning the survey that noted they had installed an automation system (n=lO) to gain information on personnel training. Seven of these ten automated libraries participated in the interview process. Results: Of the 115 surveys completed and returned, 71% had computers, 50% had email, 49% had access to C-ROM/online databases, 36% used automated ILL, 25% had facsimile machines, and 9% were automated. From this study, it was not possible to ascertain if the public libraries in Kansas serving a population of less than 1,000 which reported being automated met the personnel training standards as defined in the Measurements of Ouality: Public Library Standards for Kansas (1995). Of the 115 returned surveys, ten libraries reported having an automated system. Of these ten libraries, seven consented to and participated in verbal interviews. Interviews revealed that only three of these seven libraries had their card catalog/circulation automated. There was a misunderstanding interpreting the term "automation system" and the other four interpreted it to mean having a personal computer available in their library. As the remaining libraries did not participate in the interviews, their automation status is unknown. Therefore, determination of the personnel training standards was difficult to ascertain and emphasis was then placed on garnering information of the technological equipment status and meeting those standards for the smallest rural public libraries in Kansas. Summary: This study examined public libraries in the State of Kansas only and found there was difficulty for small libraries in complying with the standards related to automation equipment and personnel training which does demonstrate the standards are set at a very good level for self monitoring. Library directors and boards have the opportunity to evaluate their own situations and compare where they meet, or do not meet, the public library standards. The data from this study can be used in a mulitiplicity ofways, be it examination of the individual libraries, the regional systems, or the standards themselves. It is also evident there are many strengths within the smallest libraries in Kansas, and library directors can build on these to improve their own library services.