Abstracts – 3/2016

STUDIES

Special libraries on the verge of tomorrow

Part 1: International trends and special libraries abroad

RÓZSA Dávid

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 313 ‒ 326.

This first article of a three-part series discusses the changes in the functions of special libraries and international trends (operation in a digital environment, transformation of information search patterns, and proliferation of open-access scientific content). As a new development, libraries appeared on the market among content providers, and, in addition to traditional book and journal publishing, they issue an increasing number of e-publications. Changes are expected in the physical spaces of libraries, the number of readers and the size of storage will probably decrease, while there is a strong user demand requiring libraries to act as community meeting places. To provide information services in a changed environment, librarians should acquire new competencies. It is essential that special librarians should possess sound knowledge, and, eventually, professional qualifications in the subject area in question. The author lists the main international and European library organizations of special libraries (SLA, IALL, IAALD, AMSLIC, AIBM, LIBER, CERL, EAHIL etc.), and outlines the system of special libraries in some European countries (Germany, Romania, etc.). The second part in this series will describe the situation of special libraries in Hungary.

Readers in real and virtual space. The life of the Berzsenyi Dániel Library during ”digital Renaissance”

P. TOLDI Márta

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 327 ‒ 337.

The author analyzed the changes in the use of the Berzsenyi Dániel Library (BDL) based on data collected in the past 25 years. The survey covered data for the following areas in the period 1990 to 2015: number of registered library users, ratio of readers by age and occupation, forms of library use (lending, personal visit), attendance of events, and changes in the library use by young people. Changes in library use reflect a multifunctional use of BDL. The number of materials used totals about one million, a typical volume nowadays, which suggests an active presence of readers. Remote and personal library use has become balanced by the 2010’s, with an increase in virtual use since 2013. The digital content offered by BDL assists quick orientation and information search. At the same time, BDL remained popular as a community space, with an attractive collection and community events organized by librarians. BDL’s main objective is to reach a large variety of target groups with its offer of values and services, and to attract them to the library.

Survey of organizational culture and leadership behaviour in three Hungarian public libraries. Hungarian librarians need competitive management

MIKULÁS Gábor

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 338 ‒ 354.

The study deals with the preference analysis related to organizational culture and leadership behaviour (i.e., the basic values of managers), conducted in three Hungarian public libraries using the GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Effectiveness Research) method. It summarizes the characteristics of organizational culture, presents the cultural orientation levels of the GLOBE methodology applied, and, relying on these, presents the expectations of respondents in three selected libraries regarding organizational culture and leadership behaviour. The author compared the optimal characteristics expected from managers with the experiences of respondents and how they imagine ideal leadership attitude. The survey found that library staff would like to see a shift towards competitiveness in the organization in four cases out of six competitive cultural orientations. In a non-profit library environment competitiveness means managing the resources of the organization and meeting the needs of target groups at a high standard. Respondents on the whole identified the same desirable (integrity, irreproachable, charismatic and visionary, integrating) and undesirable characteristics of leaders (egotistic, malevolent, and autocratic). Due to the low number of respondents, findings are for information only; they reflect, however, what the respondents consider as desired regarding leadership behaviour.

WORKSHOP

Internal celebrations in the National Széchényi Library. Forms and occasions to acknowledge loyalty and outstanding professional performance

RÁCZ Ágnes

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 355 ‒ 361.

The Hungarian National Széchényi Library (OSZK) recognizes the high-standard work of its staff members in several ways. Rewards include the “Bibliothecarius Emeritus” title introduced in 1999 to honour the work of senior colleagues during their entire career. In 2016 Ferenczy Endréné Wendelin Lidia was awarded the title of Bibliothecaria Emerita (her professional career is briefly described). OSZK introduced the Széchényi Ferenc Commemorative Medal in 1989, which is awarded each year to a staff member with an active and outstanding work history. (The awardees are listed chronologically.) Upon the suggestion of the trade union an award for “library jubilees” has been in use since 1970. Continuous employment in OSZK (25, 35, and 40 years) is recognized with this award. The celebrations take place on the founder’s, Széchényi Ferenc’s birthday, day of his death, or the day of the foundation of the library (Széchényi Ferenc Memorial Day, a scientific session).

INTERVIEWS WITH OUR PREDECESSORS

Gedeon Borsa, the quintessential
bibliographer

KISZL Péter – PATKÓSNÉ TÓTH Zsuzsanna

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 362 ‒ 376.

The legacy of Krisztina Voit, former Head of the Department of Library and Information Science at the Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Humanities (ELTE BTK KITI) discovered unpublished career interviews. This time the edited text of an interview with Gedeon Borsa (b. 1923), researcher at the national library, former head of the editorial office of Old Hungarian Prints is published.

FROM OUR PAST

Alertness and cadre policy in the life of the National Library Centre

KÉGLI Ferenc

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 377 ‒ 390.

The article continues an earlier publication by the author (Könyvtári Figyelő, vol. 26. 2016. no. 1. 34-50. p.), which presented the professional work of the National Library Centre (OKK). This time the author focuses on the political, ideological background determining OKK’s operation. It is about how the “alertness policy” typical of the era operated in the life of OKK, and how far it impacted OKK’s staff policy. The study was born within the framework of a research programme entitled History of Hungarian librarianship in the Rákosi era, 1945-1956.

OUTLOOK

About library service platforms (and other library systems) again, based on Marshall Breeding’s report 2016

DANCS Szabolcs

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 391 ‒ 396.

The author sums up recent developments in the area of integrated library systems, as a follow-up to his summary in Könyvtári Figyelő, vol. 25. 2015. no. 3. He relies on the 2016 report of Marshall Breeding, and focuses on the library and information technology developments which will eventually impact Hungarian librarianship as well. The article presents the following systems: Ex Libris (Pro Quest Company), EBSCO and Kuali OLE Project, OCLC and World Management Services. Web-based platforms and open source systems are discussed as well, and a short market overview is provided.

Library services for science. German map libraries

KISS Eszter

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 397 ‒ 399.

At the end of 2015 the German Research Foundation (DFG) made its decision on projects that would support providing 21 special fields with research literature. The allocated funds aim to restructure the acquisitions and service strategies of relevant institutions. The article shows how the map collections services at the Berlin State Library (SBB) were reorganized to meet the requirements of the digital world. It presents the universal literature collection on maps (Bibliographia Cartographica), discusses the re-interpretation of collection interest, digitization on demand, support to the acquisition of spatial data, and the importance of involving professional community.

BOOK REVIEWS

Nazi politician, diplomat or librarian? Notes to a biography

Wanninger, S.: ”Herr Hitler, ich erkläre meine Bereitwilligkeit zur Mitarbeit.” Rudolf Buttmann (1885-1947). Politiker und Bibliothekar zwischen bürgerlicher Tradition und Nationalsozialismus. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2014. 591 p.

(Reviewed by Péter Sonnevend)

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 401 ‒ 407.

Hungarian-German relations

Germanico Hungarica: Album mit Schätzen aus der Sammlung Alter Drucke. = Album a Régi Nyomtatványok Tára kincseiből. Szerk. Ekler Péter, Varga Bernadett. Budapest, Széchényi Nationalbibliothek – Országos Széchényi Könyvtár, 2016. 111 p.

(Reviewed by György Pogány)

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 407 ‒ 410.

Three decades. Tamás Faragó’s book on the history of science

Faragó Tamás: Három évtized. A KSH Könyvtár Történeti Statisztikai Kutatócsoportjának története, 1954-1985. Budapest, KSH Könyvtár, 2015. 270 p (A statisztikai történetei ; 2.)

(Reviewed by Miklós Bényei)

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 411 ‒ 414.

FROM LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE JOURNALS

(Abstracts)

Könyvtári Figyelő (Library Review), vol. 26. (62.) 2016. no. 3. pp. 415 ‒ 462.

Kategória: 2016. 3. szám | A közvetlen link.

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