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The document discusses many ways that libraries can modernize their services to attract more users. It suggests that libraries provide WiFi, research databases, computer services with high-speed internet, printing and photocopy areas, coffee services, drawing sections showcasing student art, smoking corners, makerspace services using 3D printers and audio/video tools, study booths, washrooms, mobile charging, SMS alerts about new items, online public access catalogs, instruction on electronic resources, email reference services, literacy programs, job hunting assistance, movie screenings, social networking, instant messaging reference, visitor logs, and virtual tours. Implementing these updated services would help the library attract more visitors and become a hub of knowledge.
Second Page of my article
- 1. library users. Many library users are complaining about library timings in academic institutes, so, the timings may be increased with additional staff and fixed remuneration. Wi-Fi has become an essential part of the research, many users are in his/her first visit asking about Wi-Fi facilities, the library must have such facilities to attract more users. In higher educational institutions mostly peoples are asking about research databases. It is the duty of concerned library to provide them access to the Modern databases. RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) is a new shape of modern technology being implemented in various libraries in developed countries. Under this technolo- gy, books and similar items may be scanned through the theft-detection system. Computers are the basic tools of modern technologies, which direct the users to search for their desired material. Those libraries which do not have computer services in their libraries are depriving the users. Therefore, computer services with high-speed internet may be provided which will automatically lure in more users. In past days the users were getting the library material out for printing and photocopying purposes, but in modern libraries, a separate corner may be reserved for printing and photocopying in order to provide timely services to the students and faculty members. In present days library, many libraries have launched tea bars and coffee services for their users, mostly in old days students were spending more times in canteens, but many libraries have not even introduced these services for their researcher in order to spend more time inside their library. Advanced countries have launched a drawing section in their libraries, where they are presenting the latest art and painting of their alumni and students. So such section may also increase an interest level of their students, faculty members and scholars. When construction a new library, the architecture must keep in mind that, there should be smoking corner for all chain smokers, by taking this initiative many users will spend more time in the library, if there is no such corner, all smokers will sphere more of their precious time outside the library. The traditional art and craft system using the physical material such as 3-D printers, audio and video capture and editing tools are new services offered by library professionals to patrons are considered as Marker space services. By launching these services in the libraries. More people will shares their technicali- ties. Many serious researchers are looking for study booth and carrels, they ought to be provided such spaces inside the library. Many libraries don’t have washroom facilities inside the library. Washroom facilities in a separate corner may also be provided to the researchers and library users. The mobile Charging system is new services being launched in the modern library. There should be a mobile charging desk under the custody of library staff to oversights the costly mobile of their users. Similarly, the SMS alert system may also be provided to the enrolled students regarding library news, fresh arrivals and other library activities. Those libraries which don’t have online public access catalogue facilities are considered as a traditional library. The OPAC services may be provided to the patrons in order to search books and other material that what sort of library material provides by this library. Public education on how to use electronic resources are new services, the library staff must educate their users about their electronic and digital library services from time to time. The modern library does offer Email services to their end users. The users may be given chance to connect themselves with library staff in case of any demand or research queries. The library staff may enhance the user’s interest while organizing different literacy programme. As in the age of technology, different services have been introduced to provide update knowledge to their end users. The Up-gradation in Technology from time to time may also be encouraged to enhance the reader’s interest. The youth are searching for the job after availing the degree. The library staff may organize the job hunting techniques for the youth by inviting experts in relevant fields, similar other programmes may also be introduced for the youth inside institutions. An Oscar award movie or best academic award-winning movies week may also be organized for the patrons to get some free time to watch the movie. These services have also been launched by present days libraries at national and international level, but, the higher authority may be involved by taking this initiative . Literary cultural day may be organized for the students such as Poetry programme etc. Social networking through different media may also be launched in order to increa the interest level of the users. These services may also be provided to the end users. Instant messaging reference services are new services being launched in various library in developed countries. Web 2.0 technologies are the demand of the day, these technologies may be used to inter- connect the users that what the library has to offer. Visitor log system may also be used to produce daily, weekly and monthly report of the library visitors, by adopting this system, the library staff may note the number of users who visits the library on daily, weekly and monthly basis. The current era of technology has doubled the role of library services, one can find the location of the libraries through virtual tour media. One can visit the library from different angle through this technology. RSS feeds services may also increase the interest level of the users, this technology may be made a part of the modern libraries. Keeping in mind the aforementioned strategy, as a veteran librarian who is very supportive of adapting to change I can say without a doubt that if the following suggestions are implemented, your library will become a hub of knowledge and there will be far more visitors. The writer is working as Library Officer at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) , a think tank based in Islamabad. VOLUME 47, ISSUE 4IASL NEWSLETTER 8 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7