URN_NBN_SI_DOC-HWZLKWW8

POPOVIČ, Mirko: User survey as startii^-p o io t fo r defining objectives and evaluation of National and university Library performance, Knjižnica, Ljubljana, 32(1988), no. 3-4 The article is based on the assumption that definition of precisely stated, clear, short-term objectives and functions is one of the basic elements of the modem library management. The transition to information society, where knowledge and informa­ tion are becoming crucial parts of development, demands a quali­ tative shift in library performance (for example, up-to-dateness and quality of library collection and information transfer). Users' needs and demands rather than librarians' interpretations of what these needs might be are the crucial criterion in formu­ lating objectives and functions of every library. General and declarative aims are then changed into operative and short-term functions. Essential part of the establishement of objectives is evaluation of library performance, which enables alalysis of the situation, identification of limitations and failures of servi­ ce, and suggestions of ways in which the library activities might be inproved. These processes can be evaluated at different possible levels. The aim of the user survey, conducted in the National and Uni­ versity Library in Ljubljana, has been to improve the library service, i.e. to increase the use of the library collection and to offer users qualitative and up-to-date information. Results of the survey have exposed some "critical" points, which can be used as an important direction in defining priorities, solving failures of service, and evaluating library performance. 1. UVOD Družbeno-ekooctnske potrebe po hitrem in učinkovitem informiran­ ju, eksplozija informacij, razvoj informacijske in telekomunika­ cijske tehnologije so bistvena značilnost današnjega obdobja. Dosežki na področju informacijske tehnologije, kot so npr. upo­ raba računalnikov za shranjevanje, obdelavo, procesiranje in posredovanje informacij, razvoj telekomunikacijske tehnologije