A Community Study of the Bibliothèque Saint-Jean

Denis Lacroix

March 11, 2003

	Introduction

XML version Reflective Paper Note to the Readers Executive Summary Introduction Context Setting Methodology/Data Sources Institutional Goals, Objectives, and Priorities Library Collections The Library's Environment and Demographics Conclusion Appendix One - History of the BSJ Appendix Two - Research Methodology Appendix Three - Survey Appendix Four - Results Endnotes Bibliography

This community study analyses the primary, secondary, and tertiary users of the Bibliothèque Saint-Jean (BSJ), within the context of the BSJ's internal and external informational environments. The identification of an ethnic community of users is made in light of the library's¹ mission and vision for the betterment of the existing library collection. The goal of this report is to scan the BSJ's community in such a way as to obtain an image of its collection needs and resources. This study's scope will focus on the following elements

geography,
organizational economics and technology,
demographic information

ethnic, social, intellectual, and professional groups
mother and home languages

community associations and organizations

which will reflect a number of collection management implications. The questions that will guide the analysis of the data far exceed the mere description of the community, for they involve answering

What role does the BSJ play in serving these people?
Have the research interests and demands of the primary and secondary users changed?
What special needs does the population require?
How does this population use the library?
Are there other sources of French information in Edmonton that would serve this population?
What social, cultural, and intellectual functions does the library serve within the community?

Since the BSJ is mainly an academic library, this community study will focus on the elements that describe a library community with learner-centred academic pursuits. The study will report its findings, the implications that those have on the BSJ, and recommendations on how to cope with them.