Open AccessImplications of Using Focus Groups to Improve Library Services.
Author(s) -
Deborah K. Wilson-Matusky
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6973
Subject(s) - school library , variety (cybernetics) , focus group , action plan , plan (archaeology) , focus (optics) , medical education , psychology , sociology , computer science , library science , medicine , management , physics , archaeology , artificial intelligence , anthropology , optics , economics , history
Focus groups have been used to improve services in a variety of arenas. In educational settings, they have been used in improving classroom teachers' performance, in general professional development, and in addressing areas of concern in the school setting. This research explores the effectiveness of focus groups in a school library media setting to improve library services to users, with particular emphasis on prioritizing concerns and generating solutions. Recommendations of the focus groups were compared with recommendations from the school librarian based on analysis of the data. As a result, a combined action plan was developed for guiding the future practices of the school library.