Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study
Objective – To identify available health library user typology classifications and, if none were suitable, to create our own classification system. This is to inform effective future library user engagement and service development due to changes in working styles, information sources and technology....
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Alberta
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/26137/21032 |
| _version_ | 1819101206027436032 |
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| author | Lynn Easton Scott Adam Trish Durnan Lorraine McLeod |
| author_facet | Lynn Easton Scott Adam Trish Durnan Lorraine McLeod |
| author_sort | Lynn Easton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective – To identify available health library user typology classifications and, if none were suitable, to create our own classification system. This is to inform effective future library user engagement and service development due to changes in working styles, information sources and technology.
Methods – No relevant existing user typology classification systems were identified; therefore, we were required to create our own typology classification system. The team used mixed methods research, which included literature analysis, mass observation, visualization tools, and anthropological research. In this case study, we mapped data across eleven library sites within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network, a United Kingdom (U.K.) hospital library service.
Results – The findings from each of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network’s eleven library sites resulted in six user typology categories: e-Ninjas, Social Scholars, Peace Seekers, Classic Clickers, Page Turners and Knowledge Tappers.
Each physical library site has different profiles for each user typology. The predominant typology across the whole service is the e-Ninjas (28%) with typology characteristics of being technically shrewd, IT literate and agile – using the library space as a touch down base for learning and working.
Conclusions – We identified six distinct user types who utilize hospital library services with distinct attributes based on different combinations of library activity and medium of information exchange. The typologies are used to identify the proportional share and specific requirements, within the library, of each user type to provide tailored services and resources to meet their different needs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:14:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bc673ca6e90d401b86a5c51aed5db161 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1715-720X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:14:59Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Alberta |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-bc673ca6e90d401b86a5c51aed5db1612022-12-21T18:43:54ZengUniversity of AlbertaEvidence Based Library and Information Practice1715-720X2016-12-011141430Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case StudyLynn Easton0Scott Adam1Trish Durnan2Lorraine McLeod3Library Manager, (South), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UKAssistant Librarian, NHS GreateQueen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UKSenior Library Assistant, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network, Maria Henderson Library, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow, UK Assistant Librarian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Library, Glasgow, UKObjective – To identify available health library user typology classifications and, if none were suitable, to create our own classification system. This is to inform effective future library user engagement and service development due to changes in working styles, information sources and technology. Methods – No relevant existing user typology classification systems were identified; therefore, we were required to create our own typology classification system. The team used mixed methods research, which included literature analysis, mass observation, visualization tools, and anthropological research. In this case study, we mapped data across eleven library sites within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network, a United Kingdom (U.K.) hospital library service. Results – The findings from each of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Library Network’s eleven library sites resulted in six user typology categories: e-Ninjas, Social Scholars, Peace Seekers, Classic Clickers, Page Turners and Knowledge Tappers. Each physical library site has different profiles for each user typology. The predominant typology across the whole service is the e-Ninjas (28%) with typology characteristics of being technically shrewd, IT literate and agile – using the library space as a touch down base for learning and working. Conclusions – We identified six distinct user types who utilize hospital library services with distinct attributes based on different combinations of library activity and medium of information exchange. The typologies are used to identify the proportional share and specific requirements, within the library, of each user type to provide tailored services and resources to meet their different needs.https://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/26137/21032Hospital LibrariesUser TypologiesUnited Kingdomcase studies |
| spellingShingle | Lynn Easton Scott Adam Trish Durnan Lorraine McLeod Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Hospital Libraries User Typologies United Kingdom case studies |
| title | Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study |
| title_full | Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study |
| title_fullStr | Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study |
| title_short | Identifying and Classifying User Typologies Within a United Kingdom Hospital Library Setting: A Case Study |
| title_sort | identifying and classifying user typologies within a united kingdom hospital library setting a case study |
| topic | Hospital Libraries User Typologies United Kingdom case studies |
| url | https://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/26137/21032 |
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