Content uploaded by Rosario Arquero-Avilés
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Rosario Arquero-Avilés on Jun 02, 2020
Content may be subject to copyright.
63
Special Libraries in the 21st Century: A Case Study at the
National Archaeological Museum’s Library (Spain)
Silvia Cobo-Serrano1, Rosario Arquero-Avilés2, Brenda Siso-Calvo3
1Head Librarian, National Archaeological Museum, IDEA Lab Research Group, Spain
2Head of IDEA Lab Research Group, Department of Library and Information Science, The Complutense
University of Madrid, Spain
3PhD. Library and Information Sciences, IDEA Lab Research Group, Spain
64
Abstract: Closed in May 2008, the most important archaeological library in Spain
has been re-opened in June 2019. The National Archaeological Museum’s Library is
now open to readers aged 18 and over who need to use its library collections and
services. Focused on supporting research and teaching activities, the Library aims to
become a reference centre for university academic staff, researchers and students
interested in Archaeology, History, Numismatics and Museum studies.
In this line, this paper is intended to identify special libraries' current situation by a
strength and weakness analysis, which will help special librarians face today
challenges as information professionals.
Keywords: special libraries, National Archaeological Museum, Spain
Students Assessment about Quality of Library Services at
Slovenian Public Universities
Petruša Miholič
Dr., University of Primorska, Slovenia
Abstract: The Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
(hereinafter: the Agency) assess the compliance with the conditions for the
accreditation of higher education institutions and study programmes. The main task of
the Agency is to determine whether higher education institutions achieve the quality
standards determined with these provisions as well as other regulations by the
Agency.
In less than a century, three public universities (University of Ljubljana, University of
Maribor, University of Primorska) were established in Slovenia, where 92% of all
students’ study. In addition to the three public universities in Slovenia, there are also
three private universities.
For successful study, it is essential that students have at their disposal relevant
professional and scientific literature, which is an important information source,
without which there is no quality study. Academic libraries must justify their mission
and function and ensure that their students have the information resources they need
to study. The Agency, among other, also reviews whether library services are
provided. Judging whether the quality standards are met, the faculty conducts self-
evaluation of study programs every year through student surveys. In the survey,
students evaluate, among other things, also academic library and library services with
assessment about:
- satisfaction with quality of library services,
- suitability of the study, professional and scientific literature and
- suitable premises and material conditions for study.
The results of a review analysis of ten years of student surveys provide good
reference to guide the design and develop of future library services.
Keywords: academic libraries, library services, quality, user satisfaction, student
assessment