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FIRST COLUMN
Obstructions Should not Dismay Us - Tiiu Valm
We can distinguish library models of new types in the modern information society: digital library, electronic library, virtual library, distributed library, and hybrid library. The model of digital library is generalising due to the needs of users and social trends. We have to integrate access to all types of publications, using different technologies emerged in digital librarianship. The concept of hybrid library can be treated in the context of national libraries, libraries of the institutions of higher education, public libraries, etc.
RESEARCH LIBRARIES
Information History IV - Alistair Black
The final part of an article by the British Professor of library and information history that has been published in our several journal issues. It focuses on informal information networks in information history.
The Basic Project of the Library of Tallinn University of Technology Has Been Completed - Jüri Järs
In 2006, the competition for devising the best architectural solution for the Library of Tallinn University of Technology ended; the winner entered into the design contract. Preliminary design was completed in November 2006, conceptual design in January 2007 and basic project in June 2007. After expert assessment of the latter, construction drawings will be made. Our goal is to create innovative, open and user-friendly learning, working and communication environment with rationally organised service provision – a building, which functionality and architectural design could be compared to that of the best libraries of the world.
A Year with ETIS - Katrin Bobrov, Signe Jantson
The Estonian Research Information System ETIS was launched a year ago. The article analyses how the Library of Tallinn University of Technology has adapted itself to it and the role of the Library within the system.
Thirty-two Boreholes to Explore the Scenery of Service Provision - Tiit Valner
An overview of the results of an inquiry, “What do you think about the quality of our library services?”, conducted in November 2006 to identify the level of user satisfaction among the Library of Tallinn University of Technology’s readers. The two-level SERVQUAL questionnaire used touched upon 32 aspects of services. The SERVQUAL measuring tool rests upon comparing the category of expectations or relevance evaluations with the category of evaluations of the real situation. In the questionnaire, service areas or themes were divided into four moduli, including environment, service organisation, information and staff. Respondents’ satisfaction with the quality of library services in general and in different faculties of the university were analysed.
User Survey in the National Library of Estonia - Anne Veinberg
An overview of the survey conducted in the National Library of Estonia in 2006 with an aim to acquire reliable information from the users of the library’s services for analysing the quality of the services provided and for developing library environment, information resources and information services, considering the needs and expectations of the target group. SERVQUAL methodology was chosen to be the basis of the survey. According to SERVQUAL, service quality consists of five components: physical environment; punctuality, correctness; preparedness to provide services, flexibility; competence, art of creating reliability; projecting oneself into the mind of the others. The article also lists measures necessary for enhancing service quality.
Library Users’ Wishes were Taken into Account While Renovating - Ene Riet
A news about renovation of the National Library of Estonia’s foyer, cloakrooms and bookstores during this summer. The renovation of the Fine Arts Reading Room on the VII floor will be finished in autumn.
NOTA BENE!
Mandatory Agreements between Employee and Employer II - Heli Naeris
Some examples of voluntary conditions upon which employee and employer may agree while entering into contract of employment.
THE EUROPEAN UNION AND WE
Fifteen Librarians Went to Brussels - Karin Evik
An overview of a study trip to Brussels organised by the European Commission for fifteen librarians and the same number of history teachers selected on the basis of competition results. The study trip involved lectures by the representatives of the Republic of Estonia and other countries, working in various General Directorates and tours in the EU Information Centre and the European Union Library Resource Center.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Are We Ready For Blogging? - Janela Tähepõld
An overview of the survey conducted among the managerial staff of Estonian central libraries for exploring their readiness to take blogs into use. The introduction of the article also explains the concept of blog .
E-LIBRARY
Making a Difference – Moving towards Library 2.0 - Kate-Riin Kont
An overview of Estonian and Finnish joint library forum, “Making a difference – Moving towards Library 2.0”, held in Helsinki and Tallinn on 7–10 May 2007. It focused on the following: developing information literacy; the triumph of a new model of library services, Library 2.0; life-long learning and its provision; new professional skills that librarians and information specialists need; user training and marketing in libraries; preservation of collective and local memory, that is, digitisation; and on other current development trends for public and research libraries.
BIBLIOPHILISM
The Book is the Goal for a Bibliophile - Peeter Tulviste
The article discusses difference between an ordinary home library and a bibliophile’s library. In addition to the general reasons for the occurrence of bibliophilism, the author points out two extra occasions, why the Estonians have practiced it. Firstly, books in Estonian have been banned and destroyed since the first publications. Secondly, during the Soviet period, book-shelves at home were one of the few places, where independent Estonian state preserved in a tangible form, and maintaining books formed a part of preserving national memory.
A Modern Bibliophile: Heldur Meerits - Ellen Arnover
An interview with a businessman and owner of a large home library, Heldur Meerits, focusing on his reading habits and library building principles. Heldur Meerits’s home library is visible through the glass wall to the passer-bys on the street.
USER SERVICES
After All – Who are We? - Mati Muru
The train of thoughts is impelled by Olga Einasto’s article, “What Do Users in Reality Expect from Librarians?” (Raamatukogu, No 6, 2006). It discusses the issues, whether librarians should really suddenly be called customer servicers and whether library work can be compared to the activities in general service providing sector, and what kind of competencies should a librarian have in the information age.
ESTONIAN LIBRARIANS’ ASSOCIATION
The Golden Rules for Communication were Introduced to Rural Librarians - Irma Raatma
An overview of a seminar-camp for rural librarians, held from the 3rd up to the 5th of July in Põlva county. Changes in the Public Libraries Act were discussed and the golden rules for communication were delivered. The participants visited libraries in the county and made a tour to see local cultural values.
CONFERENCES & SEMINARS
The First Summer Academy - Ülle Kuuse
An overview of the first summer academy for children’s librarians, held from the 4th up to the 7th of June at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy.
Web is Going up and Library down - Ene Riet
An overview of a summer seminar, held from the 7th up to the 9th of July at Ramsi in Viljandi county. Its main issue was modern trends in librarianship. The participants also visited Tarvastu Library, the oldest library in Estonia, and other libraries in Viljandi county.
Library as a Space and a Place - Janne Andresoo
An overview of a summer seminar of the national libraries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, held from the 25th up to the 29th of June on the island of Saaremaa. It focused on the functioning of libraries both in the physical as well as in the virtual environment.
NEWS
Visually Impaired Persons Listen to the Books on CD-s - Priit Kasepalu
An overview of an information day at the Estonian Library for the Blind on 14 May 2007. It marked sixty years of starting the provision of library services for the visually impaired persons in Tallinn.
The Annual Prize Went to Subject Librarian: Vilve Seiler
On the occasion of the 205th anniversary of the University of Tartu, Vilve Seiler, subject librarian at the library service unit, was awarded the Annual Prize of Tartu University Library for designing and implementing a Web-based course on information competency.
Subject Librarian Maire Liivamets Won an Essay Contest
On the 22nd of June in Kadriorg, the President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, awarded the prizewinners of the essay contest, “In which kind of Estonia do I want to live?”. Maire Liivamets won the prize among the adults for her essay, “Time Still Comes from the Land and Sea”.
In Memoriam:
Jaan Toomla – a long-standing head of the editorial board on Estonian literature in the Eesti Raamat Publishers, later an employee of the National Library of Estonia; Chair of the Club of Bibliophiles in Tallinn
Boris Mikk – Director of the National Library of Estonia in 1966–1971
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Issued
6 numbers a year