STUDYING THE VALUE OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION-SERVICES .2. METHODOLOGY AND TAXONOMY

This report, presented in two parts, is derived from a large study spo nsored by the Council on Library Resources, Two of its objectives were to develop a taxonomy of value-in-use of library and information serv ices based on users assessments and to propose methods and instruments for similar studies of library and information services in general. I n the first part of the report, we discussed the underlying concepts r elated to value, which must be clarified to proceed with any pragmatic study of value, This established a theoretical framework, i.e., a the ory of use-oriented value of information and information services, The theory drives the models used for the pragmatic part of the study res ulting in a Derived Taxonomy of Value in Using Library and Information Services. In this, the second part, we deal with the specifics of the study: importance of a taxonomy; the method used for gathering data o n user assessments of value in five research libraries, involving 18 s ervices and 528 interviews with users; development and presentation of the Taxonomy; and statistics and tests of the Taxonomy, A novel aspec t is the division of value of information services into three general classes or facets: (i) Reasons for use of a service in the given insta nce; (ii) quality of Interaction (use) related to that service; and (i ii) worth, benefits, or implications of subsequent Results from use. W e conclude the paper with suggestions for applications in practice, pa rticularly in evaluation of services, and general discussions regardin g the principles of taxonomic development.