【摘要】
本研究的目的在探討美國公共圖書館使用網際網路對於其組織運作的影響。本研究的樣本為美國的五十所公共圖書館。本研究是以對美國公共圖書館的主要管理人員進行問卷訪談，針對受訪者所屬圖書館的運作中使用網際網路對於其組織運作的影響進行研究。本研究以敘述性的統計方法 （Descriptive Statistic Method） 對於美國公共圖書館之運作中使用網際網路的影響進行分析。研究的結果指出網際網路的使用對於美國公共圖書館的運作有顯著的影響。最後，作者建議公共圖書館的管理者應針對其所屬圖書館的組織特性以及不同需求，設計並使用網際網路的技術及資源，以對所屬圖書館的組織運作，作出最大的貢獻及支持。
【Abstract】
The purpose of this research was to explore the impact of Internet use in American public libraries' operations and to find the best way for using Internet tools in public libraries' operations. This study may offer important information about the impact of Internet usage for public library's operations. The research question was: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries? This study employed survey research to conduct the research process. Research participants were 50 chief administrators in 50 American public libraries. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the impact of Internet applied in the public libraries. Results indicated that there was a significant impact of the Internet usage in American public libraries' operations. The author suggests that public libraries' organizational leaders pay attention to the impact of Internet usage in their business and they also need to plan how to utilize the Internet into their public libraries in the future.
關鍵字：公共圖書館、使用網際網路、組織運作。
Keywords: Public library; Internet Use; Organizational Operation.
I.Introduction
The Internet is a treasure-trove of information for any kind of organization （Troutner, 2000）. The owners and managers also believe that understanding and using Internet and other technological tools could enhance the quality of organizational operations.
Purpose of Research
The purpose of this research was to explore the impact of Internet use in American public libraries' operations and to find the best way for using Internet tools in public libraries' operations. This study may offer important information about the impact of Internet usage for public library's operations.
Research Question
The research question was: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries?
Significant of Research
Internet is an invaluable tool in nearly every organization（Shi,1996,p.109）. An organization that cannot utilize Internet both as a productivity tool and as a marketing tool may have a tremendous disadvantage compared to its competitors. This exploratory study investigated the impact of Internet use in American public libraries' operations and to find the best way for using Internet tools in public libraries' operations. This study may offer important information about the impact of Internet use for public libraries' operations.
II. Literature Review
This chapter will discuss the history of the Internet and utilizing Internet in the library.
The school library's library on-line could support faculty use of computer and multimedia systems to improve teaching and learning at school. Faculty and their assistants can create instructional materials including interactive presentations, videos and web sites. Faculty can also receive help integrating technology tools into their courses such as web-based forums, list-serves and online learning management systems such as course work （Terri,1997）.
Generally speaking, the Internet is an intermediary for information exchange and can store vast amounts of information. It has powerful searching capabilities and can organize and disseminate information interactively, and facilitate the transaction of information-based products. For sellers and buyers, all these functions can be achieved with a lower cost than by traditional means. The Internet can provide 1）faithful reproduction of descriptive and experiential product information, 2）greatly expanded universe of offerings relative to what can be accessed now through local or catalog shopping, 3）an efficient means of screening the offerings to find the most appealing options for more detailed consideration, and 4）unimpeded search across stores and brands and memory for past selection, which simplifies information searching and purchase decisions（Lin,1997）.
The library's approach to information access is an important part of the environment where technology supports the classroom. The benefit of library technology are in the following:（a）Student researchers have ready access to extensive journal and book collections in disciplines relevant to their areas of study;（b）students study that support use of both print and electronic resources;（c）Students have 24-hour access to the library with support of the library and computing staff on evenings and weekends whenever classes are in session;（d）Students access databases from home, they find course syllabi and copies of reserve readings on the library's Web site, and they participate in Web-based course discussion groups; and （f）The library supports the use of these databases by providing students with instruction in using those databases in their research and writing class（Henderson, 2002）.
III. Methodology
Research Design
The method that employed quantitative research method in conducting this study was measure the use of Internet in various American public libraries and provided an overview of the method of Internet use in public libraries' operations. The goal of this study was to help public libraries' administrators understand how important it was to integrate Internet into their business.
A descriptive research design was utilized to respond the research question. The research question was: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries?
Sample and Participants
The research samples were 50 American public libraries. The participants of this research were one administrator from each sample public library. The list of total sample information is in the Appendix 1. Next, the research employed a stratified random sample. A list of all libraries' administrators was obtained from each sample organization with position designated. The random sample was selected by assigning a number to each library's administrator in a sample organization.
Data Collection
In this research, the author used survey instrumentation to collect the research data. This research put focus on the American public libraries. The data was collected from public libraries' administrators from each sample public library.
Data Analysis
Statistical procedures were conducted to determine the impact of Internet use in American public libraries' operations. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the impact of Internet applied in the public libraries. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences（SPSS）computer software program was used to complete the analysis of data. The results of data analysis are presented in Chapter IV and V.
IV. Presentations and Analysis of Data
The purpose of this section was to present a description of the research data and to analyze the data relating to the primary research question of the study. The primary research question was: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries? The findings in this section contain the raw data and the narrative results relating to the research. The results are organized and discussed in three sections: source of data, descriptive statistics, and summary.
Source of Data
The research was conducted with 50 administrators in American public libraries. Each participant completed the Survey of the Impact of Internet Use in the Library.
Descriptive Statistics for Total Sample
This section provides descriptive statistics results for total sample of impact of Internet applied in the American public libraries. There were 50 public library administrators who（N=50）answered these questions. The descriptive statistics was employed to test the impact of the use of Internet in the public libraries.
Results indicated that American public libraries administrators agree and strongly agree for there was significant impact of Internet usage in their public libraries in following:
- Through the use of Internet, the user and reader have effective and efficient interaction from Internet services of public library.
- Through the use of Internet, the user and reader can immediately share information in the public library's online service.
- Through the use of Internet, the user and reader can immediately obtain the updated information from the public library's online service.
- Through the use of Internet, the user and reader can increase communication through using Internet in public library.
- Through the use of Internet, the user and reader can get more help for searching electronic databases in public library.
- Through the use of Internet, public library is known for their users' service.
- Through the use of Internet, public library constantly improves our services for our users and readers.
- Through the use of Internet, public library knows who our users and readers are.
- Through the use of Internet, public library develops services to match our users and readers' needs.
- Through the use of Internet, public library is efficient.
- Through the use of Internet, public library supports the creation of information resources for the user and reader.
- Through the use of Internet, public library supports the management of information resources for the user and reader.
- Through the use of Internet, public library supports the distribution of information resources for the user and reader.
- Through the use of Internet, public library supports the preservation of information resources for the user and reader.
- Through the use of Internet, public library can clear explain services for user and reader.
- Through the use of Internet, public library can provide clear online library catalogue for their readers and users.
- Through the use of Internet, public library can help the user and reader locate electronic versions of full-text journals.
- Through the use of Internet, public library can publicize widely new library resources, particularly electronic resources.
Summary
Analysis of total sample provided the results of descriptive statistics of the survey instrument. This section also showed the survey results related to the primary research question. The descriptive statistics results also indicated that（a）most American public libraries were getting advantages for using Internet to support the creation of information resources for the user and reader in their school settings;（b）most American public libraries were getting advantages for using Internet to support the management of information resources for the user and reader in their school settings;（c）most American public libraries were getting advantages for using Internet to support the distribution of information resources for the user and reader in their school settings.
These results respond the primary research question: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries? This section of research contains the interpretation and presentation of the data in narrative and statistical form. Next section of research contains conclusions, and recommendations.
V. Conclusions and Recommendations
The purpose of this section is to present and discuss the results of the study. The chapter is divided into the following major categories: findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Findings
The major focus of the study was to determine if there was a significant impact of the Internet usage in the public library's organizational operation. Research question was examined. Specifically, the primary research question asked if there was a significant impact of Internet usage in public libraries' operations. Research participants were surveyed and tested scores to explore the impact. The descriptive statistics was conducted to explore if an impact existed for the Internet usage in the American public libraries. Therefore, there was a significant impact of Internet usage in American public libraries. The finding responded the primary research question: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries?
Conclusions
The goal of this study was to help administrators and leaders in American public libraries understand how important it is to integrate Internet into their organizations. The study showed the existence of a significant impact of the Internet usage in the American public libraries. What are the implications of these findings? The results substantiated the existence of an impact of Internet usage in American public libraries.
Overall, the study accomplished the task of establishing the impact of Internet usage in American public libraries. The results of this research responded the primary research question: Is the Internet usage having significant impact for organizational operations in the American public libraries?
Recommendations
The study provided a starting point for investigating the impact of the Internet usage in the public libraries. While providing useful information, further research should be conducted to obtain more concise information in the use of Internet. For some of the public libraries involved in the study, it would be interesting to investigate further with larger groups of participants, focusing on different kind of public library around the world. The future research also could focus on how to improve the Internet usage in the any kinds of public libraries around the world.
The impact has been established in this study. The challenge now is to assist American public library plan for the use of Internet to exceed organizational goals in their public libraries. However, with the following recommendations, American public libraries can effectively utilize Internet to gain competitive advantages:
- Determine the types of resources that the public library intends to utilize and the services that the public library will be providing using Internet.
- Determine what types of Internet connection best suits the public library's needs.
- Determine what types of hardware and software are needed for use of Internet in the public library.
- Train public libraries' owners, managers and employees on the proper use of Internet applications.
- Emphasize the nature of Internet and the importance of public libraries' organizational operations.
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