How Is the “Container Library” Fulfil the Users Information Need:
A Case Study
Vira Devi Aryanti and Nove E. Variant Anna
Library Studies, Faculty of Vocational Education, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
Keywords: Eco Green Library, Container Library, Information Needs.
Abstract: Eco green library is one of initiatives by Mojokerto City Library. This eco green library utilize a container as
part of public library services. The objectives of this container library is to reach the community and promote
information literacy. This paper aims to analyze how the container library fulfil the users information
needs.The informative function affected by some aspects such as collection, service and facility, infrastructure
and human resource. Based on the research result, it can be concluded that container library has not been able
to fully meet the information needs of the Mojokerto community because its informative function has not yet
been fully implemented. This is due to the minimum number and type of collections. The variety of collections
and comfortable space is very compulsory.
1 INTRODUCTION
Public library is a library that is under the government
of either the province, district or city. Some of library
functions are educational, informative, research,
cultural, and recreational functions. Various
programs have been made by public libraries to
enhance their services. One of the latest library
programs is developing eco green library. The library
that adopt eco green library is Mojokerto city library
that build a container library. This library uses old
container as their part of library spaces. Besides its
objectives as eco green library, the use of container
library as a name is to attract user’s attention
(Mugwisi et al., 2018; Appleton et al., 2018;
Harisanty, 2019b).
The existance of container library is expected to
be able to bring Mojokerto city library closer to the
users. The container library located in the center of
Mojokerto city park (Alun-Alun), where many people
are gathered. Container Library provides various
collections that are intended for all community, such
as children, young, and elderly (Appleton et al.,
2018).
This study aims to determine the function of the
Container Library to fulfil the users information
needs.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
This paper constraint on the following problem, to
examine the informative function of the container
library to fulfil the user’s information needs.
Function are analysed by using the Indonesian
Library Standard (SNP) 2010 and IFLA Public
Library Guidelines 2010. The attribute of informative
function are 1) collection, 2) services and facilities, 3)
infrastructure and human resources availability
(Christie & Barbara, 2010).
The informative function means that users can
fulfil their information needs through container
library. So that the informative function of a library
can be seen from the collection, services and
facilities, infrastructure, and human resources in the
library (Appleton et al., 2018).
Tanackovic et. al (2017) states that information
must be brought to users through local news sites,
television, or local libraries. Mugwisi et. al (2018)
said that the types of information services were
diverse and reflected the needs of the users
(Tanacković et al., 2017; Mugwisi et al., 2018).
Appleton et. al (2018) said that public libraries can
be used for many benefits, for example to learn new
skills, to continue non formal education, to enhance
career development, and to find networks.
Furthermore, Monika et.al (2012) which states that
public libraries are important for individuals and
Aryanti, V. and Anna, N.
How Is the “Container Library” Fulfil the Users Information Need: A Case Study.
DOI: 10.5220/0008666300002300
Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Record and Library: Local Knowledge, Past, Present, and Future (ICRL 2018), pages 171-176
ISBN: 978-989-758-712-2
Proceedings Copyright © 2024 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda.
171
communities in general (Elbert et al., 2012; Appleton
et al., 2018).
3 RESEARCH METHOD
The research uses a descriptive approach. The
observation undertakes in container library that runs
by Mojokerto City Library; the container library is in
city square (Alun-alun) Mojokerto. Besides
observing the container library, there are also
interviewing the library users and library staff. There
are four library staff who in charge in the container
library, and they work in shift, each shift has two
staffs. 5 users also interviewed; users are container
library visitors who utilize the services.
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Container Library located in city square of
Mojokerto. It is part of the public libraries ran by the
Mojokerto City Government that officially opened in
April 2017. The presence of the container library
which is in the Mojokerto City Square makes it easier
for public to access the library.
The objectives of the library is to promote reading
habit among the Mojokerto society. Referring to
Espen Stranger-Johannessen (2014) statement that
reading culture does not develop in a vacuum, and
library can only be a small step in the way for larger
communities to read for free and expand the use of
information. Following this, the container library
collection, facilities, human resources, are describing
(Stranger-Johannessen, 2014).
Container Library collection mainly come from
Mojokerto City Library. Besides that it also comes
from gifts and grants from the local community. The
collection are dominated by books. Books with various
of topics, such as textbooks for school-age children
(Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and history),
religious books, and general collection. The number of
collections is arranged by the classification number.
General collection ranging from hobby book, do it
yourself (DIY), craft, and everyday knowledge. The
collection held in this container library usually for fun
reading and leisure (Hovius, 2006; Mugwisi et al.,
2018; Harisanty & Anna, 2020).
The Container Library initially only operates Mon-
day to Friday and is open from 08.00-20.00. However,
starting in August 2018, the library is open every day,
at the same time and close only on public holidays.
There is no borrowing services in the Container
Library. This is due to the lack of library collections.
All collections can only be read on the spot. If the user
wants to borrow a book, the library officer will direct
the user to go to the Mojokerto City Library.
Therefore, a quite spacious terrace is provided and
there are many reading tables and chairs in front of the
container library. Container Library also facilitated
with Wi-Fi network so that users can use the internet to
access information. The Container Library is also often
used as a place for children activities.
Unlike libraries in general, the buildings are made
of containers that have been modified in such a way
that they are suitable for library users. With a container
measuring approximately 2.5 x 5 meters, this library
room can be filled with 4 bookshelves, one reading
table, two chairs for readers , for library staffs there are
one table and two chairs. This library has been
equipped with an air conditioning (AC), so it’s very
comfortable for users. In addition, there is a terrace
area where users can use it as a reading area and put
their luggage on the goods shelf. The yard in front of
the terrace is decorated with some plants and flowers.
Small wooden benches are available if the user wants
to experience a truly outdoor reading atmosphere. Near
the library there is also a parking area and a toilet.
Figure 1: Shows the atmosphere on the terrace of the
Container Library which is used as a reading area for users.
Figure 2: The front entrance of the Container Library.
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Figure 3: The terrace of the Container Library.
It's just that the library doesn't provide a computer
in the Container Library because of space conditions
that make it impossible to install a computer device.
Even to operate cellphones in the Container Library
when the rainy weather is a prohibition. Some
warning paper was attached on the container wall.
There are four officers who shared working hours
into two shifts. Two officers in the morning until late
afternoon, two officers again in the afternoon until
evening. The four people work for weekdays while on
weekends, there is a separate schedule from library
services sections.
Figure 4: The atmosphere of the reader in the Container
Library.
The container library staffs, none of them had a
background in information science and library
education. Therefore, the competency of the staffs in
the Container Library always tries to be improved
through library management technical assistance
activities and trainings that are conducted by the city
library. Through the training, the staffs who are not
librarians are given training and knowledge in
managing the library including collection aquiring,
processing, library services, and preserving library
collections.
City square is often used as a place for students
from schools surrounding the library to do sports, so
that’s why Container Library users are dominated by
school-age children. They also visit regularly and
they become familiar and close to the library staff.
Figure 5: The atmosphere of visitor activity in the Container
Library.
Figure 6: The interaction between librarian and users.
According to Kyung-Jae Bae and Sung-Jong Cha
(2015), basic infrastructure such as facilities, staff,
and collections will form the foundation for proper
public library and ensure simultaneous growth and
user satisfaction, it is necessary to make more
investments concentrated in these factors, such as
improving reading quality and cultural programs, and
expanding access to digital collections, such as
e-books (Bae & Cha, 2015).
How Is the “Container Library” Fulfil the Users Information Need: A Case Study
173
Based on the description of the aspects of
collection, services and facilities, infrastructure and
human resources above, to ensure whether the
Container Library has carried out its informative
function in meeting the information needs of the
Mojokerto people in accordance with the criteria in
accordance with the existing standards namely IFLA
(2001) and SNP (2010) (Christie & Barbara, 2010 ;
Perpusnas, 2011 ; Harisanty, 2019a ; Harisanty,
2019b). The results can be seen in the following
tables:
Table 1: Comparison between IFLA, Indonesian Library
Standard (SNP), and Container library.
IFLA
SNP (Indonesian
Library Standard)
Container
Library
Collections
To satisfy the users
information needs by
increasing the range
of available
resources.
Public library
materials and
collection is more
diverse, from
popular to scientific.
Part of city
library, and
only hold
leisure and
general
collection
based on the
user needs.
Library Services
Library should have
information services
using print and
electronic media,
readers’ advisory
services including
reservation services,
community
information services,
user education
including support for
literacy programmes,
programming, and
events.
The library should
provide free public
access to the
Internet/world wide
web to enable all
citizens, regardless of
economic means, to
have access to
information available
in electronic form.
The library
organizes types of
services at least
including:
circulation services,
on-site reading
services, reference
services, story-
telling services,
mobile services
(moving services),
and library guidance
services.
Providing internet
network
Library open
for all
society, free
wifi facility,
conduct
information
literacy
services in
collaboration
with children
forum.
Infrastructure
If possible public
library should close
to public
transportation and
The location should
easily see, known
and reached by the
community, under
Located in
the city
square of
Mojokerto.
center of community
activities, such as
shops, commercial
centres, cultural
centres.
The library should
include space for
services to adults,
children and young
adults and for family
use.
Materials should be
displayed on open
shelves and arranged
at a height within
easy reach for users.
The climate of the
library should be
maintained at a
comfortable
temperature, using
efficient heating and
air conditioning.
As a major function
of the public library
is to bridge the gap
between the
information rich and
the information poor,
it has also to provide
access to the
necessary electronic,
computer and
audiovisual
equipment.
The library should
provide a physical
setting for the library
service that is
inviting to the public.
The amount of floor-
space required by a
public library
depends on such
factors as the unique
needs of the
individual
community, the
functions of the
library, the level of
resources available,
the size of the
collection, the space
available and the
proximity of other
libraries.
the ownership or
authority of the local
government, has a
clear legal status, far
from disaster-prone
locations.
The library consists
of at least collection
space, reading room,
headroom, staff
room, processing
room, multi-
p
urpose
room, public area
(mosque and toilet
are not in the
collection room).
Buildings meet
health, safety,
comfort, tranquility,
beauty, lighting,
security and air
circulation
standards.
Equipped or
facilitated public
interest facilities
such as toilets, and
parking areas.
Every 10,000
p
opulation, at least 1
computer is
connected to the
internet.
The library provides
library facilities
including at least:
bookshelves (30
pieces); magazine
rack (3 pieces);
audio visual rack (2
pieces); reference
b
ookshelf (7 pieces);
reading table (100
pieces); work desk
(20 pieces); catalog
drawer (2 pieces);
reading chair (100
pieces); computer
device (5 units);
visual impairment
reading device (5
units); AC (1 piece);
new book display
rack (1 piece);
newspaper rack (2
pieces); Internet
Network; wardrobe
storage bag (2
pieces).
Permanent,
non-movable
container
buildings
There is only
a collection
room and
reading area.
Containers
have been
modified in
such a way
that they are
suitable for
users as
library space.
There are no
computer
facilities.
There are
four open
collection
shelves, four
reading
tables, 12
chairs, one
air
conditioner,
and luggage
storage rack
There are
public toilets
and also a
large parking
lot.
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Table 1: Comparison between IFLA, Indonesian Library
Standard (SNP), and Container library (cont.).
IFLA
SNP (Indonesian
Library Standard)
Container
Library
Library Staff
In order to provide the
best possible service
to the community it is
necessary to maintain
well trained and
highly motivated staff
to make effective use
of the resources of the
library and to meet the
demands of the
community. The
following categories
of staff are found in
public libraries:
qualified librarians,
library assistants,
specialist staff,
support staff. There
must be a planned and
continuous
p
rogramme of training
for staff at all levels,
which should include
both full-time and
part-time staff.
Library
management
p
ersonnel consist of
librarians, technical
personnel, and
support staff who
are permanent or
honorary
Development of
library management
personnel is carried
out by attending
library training,
librarian
competitions,
librarian seminars /
workshops, and
becoming members
of the librarian
profession
organization.
There is no
library staffs
who really
work as
librarians.
Because it is
not necessary
to remember
that the
library is not
so big. The
staffs
consists of
permanent
employees
and some are
part-timers.
Library staffs
are provided
with training
and other
activities that
can support
their
competence
and
knowledge in
managing the
Container
Library.
The library of containers as part of public library
services has qualified as a public library that serves
the community. When compared with the IFLA
manifesto and SNP, container libraries are considered
ideal, especially regarding the location of the library
in the middle of the city. As part of the city's public
library, the collections available in the container
library also depend on the library. The weakness of
the collection contained in the container library is the
absence of a library user review process. This can be
seen from a series of collections consisting of only
general collections and entertainment. With the
unique design of library space, users are interested in
visiting and then utilizing the container library.
Viewed from the four things above, what needs to be
developed is the management staff, although not a
librarian, but the city library can train these staff
regularly, especially for literacy, storytelling, and
information retrieval programs that can help users.
5 CONCLUSIONS
The informative function in meeting the information
needs of the Mojokerto community has not been
entirely managed by the Container Library. There are
several aspects above that are not in accordance with
the standards of public libraries according to IFLA
and SNP. The Container Library cannot be used as a
reference point for the community that requires
scientific references and so far it has only been visited
for a light reading and fulfill information needs for
daily activities.
Security and privacy of library users must also be
considered. In the Container Library there is no
security officer found which is really needed. Even
though the place is a public space but cannot be any
person can enter the library area. Leaving the outside
is a good idea in theory, but actually the type of
spontaneous publication received in the library is
limited. Not everything that happens on the road is
welcomed in the library protection room (Paulina
Mickiewicz, 2015).
Whereas as an information institution, public
libraries can be more than just lending books or
collections. In addition to aspects of the collection,
developing Container Library services to the
maximum but still balanced with the conditions and
capacity of its users is expected to be able to increase
the usefulness and satisfaction of users of the library
itself, namely the community / community so that it
can actualize the informative function of Container
Library.
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