Services
Among the main services provided in the visited libraries are the actions aimed to promote reading in children and youth; the use of library space as a place to study with WiFi internet access for young students and other users who are preparing for civil service examination; reading journals and local consultation with other materials (adult users). The use of the internet from library computers is popular; however, those users are part of a distinct group that usually does not take advantage of the other services offered by the library. Book loans were mentioned by several library coordinators as one of the most important services, but the interviewed users gave less importance to the loan.
The activities and events schedule is an important feature among the visited libraries. Most of those actions are intended to motivate reading for children who come to the library in school visits or along with their the parents during the weekends to story-telling, role plays and participate in cultural workshops involving the reconstruction of characters and parts of stories. Local authors book releases, author visits and cultural events such as music or theatre performances make up the activities for adults, which happens less often than the children's activities. The assistants' team of the libraries is responsible for most of the services offered by the public library; the remuneration of these professionals is the responsibility of the local government, i.e. the city hall, except the State libraries whose employees are hired by the State Government. Cultural events take place with the participation of artists invited or hired with resources from the Ministry of Culture. Meetings with writers when they visit public libraries do not happen often. However, they are of great importance in promoting reading for different audiences.
The technology is not integrated with the services offered by libraries. The computer and the internet access is an isolated service from others. The technology is used in managing the library collection in the medium-size and large libraries and in some cases, small libraries. The WiFi Internet signal attracts a lot of young adult students who attend college or prepare for civil service examinations. There is the use of WiFi internet signal to perform paid activities (work), but in much lower amount compared to students. Only one user interviewed was doing some paid activity and the activity was not highlighted by library coordinators or by Government representatives.
The activities and events schedule is an important feature among the visited libraries. Most of those actions are intended to motivate reading for children who come to the library in school visits or along with their the parents during the weekends to story-telling, role plays and participate in cultural workshops involving the reconstruction of characters and parts of stories. Local authors book releases, author visits and cultural events such as music or theatre performances make up the activities for adults, which happens less often than the children's activities. The assistants' team of the libraries is responsible for most of the services offered by the public library; the remuneration of these professionals is the responsibility of the local government, i.e. the city hall, except the State libraries whose employees are hired by the State Government. Cultural events take place with the participation of artists invited or hired with resources from the Ministry of Culture. Meetings with writers when they visit public libraries do not happen often. However, they are of great importance in promoting reading for different audiences.
The technology is not integrated with the services offered by libraries. The computer and the internet access is an isolated service from others. The technology is used in managing the library collection in the medium-size and large libraries and in some cases, small libraries. The WiFi Internet signal attracts a lot of young adult students who attend college or prepare for civil service examinations. There is the use of WiFi internet signal to perform paid activities (work), but in much lower amount compared to students. Only one user interviewed was doing some paid activity and the activity was not highlighted by library coordinators or by Government representatives.