MMA School Search

Introduction

New kind of information users and new types of information tools are created by the advanced ICT development every day. Both libraries and librarians have to cope with different aspects of information change like the new wave of ICT development, lack of library staff, demand of more efficient services and needs of users, ascending cost of library services. Libraries must compete with the internet which is now more powerful than ever (Kanauji, 2004). In this age of advanced information technology there is a need to promote information services that meet the needs of students and faculty member and motivate them to use these services more. Academic libraries need new and more advanced information tools to serve the ascending demand of student that form the audience of the academic library.

As a result of the increased demand for the information service that is provided through the use of information technology the academic libraries has to compete with other information providers and provide better services and promote them with a planned marketing strategy to ensure a continuous flow of financial resources and support. The need to present a well suited self image is essential. Libraries are not different from any other organization that needs more than ever to use marketing as a tool to endure the fast changing world of information (Spalding & Wang, 2006).

The librarians recognition of the concept of marketing and the marketing mix means the insurance for not waisting the marketing effort. The knowledge that librarians have about marketing library service is essential as librarians form the backbone of the library because the main concept of marketing is built around the idea of satisfying the customers and providing the best service available. It is not enough to bring new furneture or new computers or even improve the service and train the library staff to bring more users to the library. The way librarians think and act in regards to promoting library services is as important as any aspect that affect the library performance and future (Helton & Esrock, 1998).

In this regard, the attitude of librarian towards marketing is important as librarians represent the face of the library and manifest its direction. Studying the nature of librarian’s attitude toward the use of marketing in academic libraries can affect the success and failure of any marketing effort in the library, as the idea of using marketing in promoting library services needs a welcoming environment. For that, librarians attitude towared the use of marketing in the library is crucial for the library to succeed in pormoting the information services and to guarantee users satisfaction (Kaur & Rani, 2008). The study of attitude of librarians towards the use of marketing in academic libraries can make a differenence in the survival of academic libraries.

Academic libraries more then ever needs the attention and support to be more efficiant and resource providing for the students and staff. Studing The attitude of librarians in these libraries towrd marketing library services will be helpful to determaine the best marketing plane and stratagies to follow according to the study results.

Academic libraries at the present time are facing great difficulties in the field of providing information as competition is more aggressive than ever. The increasing use of electronic services is making the academic libraries less needed. Therefore these libraries are in desperate need for a powerful method to promote and market the use of their  resources and services. However, the use of business methodologies in libraries is effected by the attitude of librarians. This attitude of librarians can be a major obstacle in the face of marketing library services in academic libraries.

Definitions

Marketing: “Marketing is a stance and an attitude that focuses on meeting the needs of the users. Marketing is a means of ensuring that libraries, librarians and librarianship are integrated into both today’s and tomorrow’s emerging global culture. Marketing is not separate from good practice. It is good practice” (Smith, 1995).

Marketing mix, 4P’s: “Is the development of the product, service or material for the identified target market, and its price, place of distribution and promotional characteristics. Every product has a price and must be made available some place and promoted” (Koonts, 2004, p.250)

Literature Review

The literature available that discuses the attitude of librarians toward the use of marketing methods in libraries in general is rare, there are not many studies about this topic. It is harder to find literature discussing the same topic for academic libraries particularly. While some of the literature relates marketing library services to this topic, but attitude of librarians is another matter that need to be tackled and studied.

Academic libraries have always perceived themselves to be an inherent part of the academic community, that’s why they have often felt they do not have to justify their existence. This is why the academic libraries have begun to understand the need to market themselves and engage in marketing activity only in recent years. Times are changing and academic libraries are facing increasing costs. As a result, they are being forced to justify budget demands to university administrators. This can be a difficult task when some administrators, faculty and students question the need for libraries at all (Neuhaus & Snowden, 2003).

Kaur and Rani (2008) examined the attitude of library professionals in university libraries in India. Results of the research reveal that 84.6 % of the librarians and professionals under study have not studied marketing in their schools of library and information science. 94.2 % have not attended any workshop and seminar on marketing of information services and products. More than 94 % of the respondents either agree or strongly agree that the concept of marketing is equally applicable in the field of library and information science and it should form an important component of the curriculum in the library schools. Of the respondents, 84.6 % think that marketing relates not only to selling and advertising but also to customizing the services to serve the user needs in a more fulfilling way, and 82.7 % admit that traditional view of libraries towards marketing has been in terms of promotion only. The positive response to all the statements shows that librarians feel the need of applying the marketing principles in the libraries in an era of global competitiveness and shrinking resources.

From the same study the researchers found that 84.6 % of the population of the study agrees that libraries conduct marketing programs at random rather than develop a consistent program, the lack of consistency in marketing education is crucial as it affect the perspective of librarians towards the use of marketing in libraries. Regarding the marketing mix the overall result were positive in favor of introducing and implementing the basic marketing mix and the four P’s of marketing.

Kanaujia (2004) findings in his study reveal that librarians have a positive attitude towards the different aspects of marketing of library information products and services. The problem is that librarians are not getting the chances to apply their lessons into marketing practices and application planning for the library. All librarians in the study agree that ignorance with marketing is responsible for discouraging marketing applications. The study results reflect the need of proper training and teaching of marketing. efforts for increasing librarians awareness and separate financial support are necessary for efficient marketing. Instead of scattered approaches and different styles, a consistent view must be taken.

Shontz, Parker and Parker study (2004) identifies the attitude of public librarians toward the marketing of library services and relate this attitude to selected independent variables. Although most of the respondents had generally positive attitudes toward library marketing there were statistically significant differences between subgroups. For example, more positive attitudes toward marketing were expressed by library administrators. The study proves that librarians who have taken a course in marketing in the past five years hold a more positive attitude toward marketing. And librarians who had taken a course or workshop in marketing and those who perceived marketing positively conceder marketing practice to be a high priority in their libraries. That’s why the authors relate the bad attitude for marketing ‘if it exist’ to the lack of knowledge of marketing. Marketing knowledge and experience also positively correlated with years of library experience. This may indicate that marketing techniques are learned over the course of a librarian’s career, or perhaps late in ones career. Librarians who work in libraries that offer a broader range of services learn to appreciate the importance of making the public fully aware of these services.

Workshops can be an appropriate mechanism for changing certain types of attitudes. The results of Grunenwald, Felicetti and Stewart study (1990) show that participants did learn about marketing and gained a better understanding of library marketing. In addition, participants enjoyed learning about library marketing and were less tending to view marketing as only publicity. The workshop experience also helped participants to realize that marketing has a legitimate place in a library environment. It should, however, be noted that participants attended the workshop on a voluntary basis. As a result, their attitudes toward libraries

If you’re looking to start or develop your own enterprise in the field of continuing education, you would do well to consider Notting Hill College and the business openings this growing institution offers. Whether you’re a fledgling entrepreneur or established course provider, the College fosters an array of opportunities for mutual business development that should not be overlooked. Notting Hill College is a British based institution specialising in further education and vocational training. Since its inception in 2004 the College has rapidly expanded its global reach thanks in no small part to its unusually successful franchising network. In this and other areas the key to NHC’s remarkable rise seems to be its genuinely people-centred ethos, which enables it to embrace policies that are mutually beneficial for the mother organisation and its partners and franchisees. The College is more than just a business however, and its people-centred attitude is reflected in its programmes, methodology and materials. Joining the College’s network of Partners, Agents and Accredited Course Providers is therefore a truly cooperative venture. Perhaps the most promising of the openings that Notting Hill College offers is what it dubs its Unique Business Opportunity. Aimed at potential partner centres, this venture represents a short-cut into the higher echelons of three lucrative and intrinsically trans-national training fields: language training, teacher training and business and soft skills training. Partners are expected to deliver Notting Hill College courses from one or more of the above fields, using syllabi and course materials exclusive to the College. In addition to access to these core training resources, NHC Partners are also provided with substantial support in setting up and running their centres that goes far beyond the usual technical guides and corporate identity manuals. Rather, franchisees are assigned a dedicated Business Development Manager who is available to provide technical, marketing and other support in person when necessary. The whole process is made refreshingly easy thanks to the online systems Notting Hill College already has in place for the benefit of its network. These include a Learning Management System for students, an Online Operational System for the use of NHC Partner Centres and an Online Administration System for Master Franchisees. Collectively these online systems drastically reduce the resources required to manage training centres efficiently and effectively so that they meet the high standards of customer service that the College has already established for itself. It goes without saying that NHC Partners also benefit from association with the College as a market-leading training provider with a flawless reputation, growing stature and mounting accolades for innovation. This takes the form of direct promotion via links on the College’s main website – a virtual hub for potential learners worldwide – as well as the more subtle influence of branding and design. Another venture worth considering, especially for established training providers, is accrediting your courses for credit transfer into Notting Hill College’s Master of Arts in TEFL. Again this enables you to buy into the College’s global reach and internationally respected status. Moreover, it gives your students and potential students access to a cutting-edge higher education teacher training programme that fills what has until recently been a striking gap in the TEFL market. Notting Hill College is an organisation that is clearly going places and in the spirit of twenty first century global partnership, it’s not closing the door behind it but opening doors for others to follow. Perhaps the most compelling thing about the College, though, is that it has maintained the integrity of its aims and methodology whilst hosting such a broad range of training solutions under its umbrella. Students of business will agree that such strongly articulated aims are gold dust in respect of the limitless potential opportunities today’s global market affords.

For many recent college graduates the repayment period on their student loans is about to begin due to the end of the six-month grace period. As many graduates find their student loan payment booklets in their mailboxes, which typically arrive approximately 30 to 60 days before the first due date for payment, it is important for graduates to make their payments on time. Some graduates may be in a position to make the scheduled “level repayment,” while others will find themselves in a burdensome financial situation.

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By contacting NextStudent after receipt of their payment booklet, graduates can speak to Education Finance Advisers and receive free guidance about the other available repayment plans. Income-sensitive and extended repayment plans are available by directly contacting the lender. With graduated repayment plans, graduates agree initially to pay lower payments. However, the payment amount increases every two years. This is a good choice for those graduates who feel or know that their salary will increase over time.

Forbearance is an option that graduates can use for any given reason. Graduates can use forbearance for up to three years. However, it is important to note that interest continues to accrue throughout the forbearance period.

There are those graduates who opt to defer their student loan payments. With deferment, student loan payments are postponed for a maximum of three years. While in deferment, interest will not accrue on subsidized loans. Graduates must show economic hardship to be eligible.

There are many available options for student loan repayment. NextStudent knows that when a grace period ends, it not always is the best time for graduates to repay their student loans. The Education Finance Advisers are there to help students and graduates with all the questions they may have regarding repayment and the options available to help make life easier and more manageable including student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com).

About NextStudent

NextStudent, http://www.nextstudent.com/, federal lender code 834051, is dedicated to helping students and their families find affordable ways to pay for college. NextStudent offers one-on-one education finance counseling and has a portfolio of highly competitive education finance products and services including a free online scholarship search engine, federally guaranteed parent and student loans, private student loans, both federal and private student loan consolidation (http://www.nextstudent.com) programs, and college savings plans.

The NextStudent Scholarship Search Engine, one of the nation’s oldest and largest scholarship search engines, is updated daily, available free of charge, completely private and represents 2.4 million scholarships worth .4 billion.

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Deep in the recesses of any computer, mysterious processes run silently in the background. Process Library Quick Access Info Bar help you identify them. Armed with information, you can protect your PC from resource hogs, privacy-violating spyware, and Trojans that give hackers carte blanche on your system.

This Windows Task Manager plug-in provides you process information and advice from ProcessLibrary.com, a free online knowledge Web site that’s home to over 9000 process definitions. To access Process Library from Windows Task Manager, click the icon that appears next to processes in the Process tab. Each icon links to ProcessLibrary.com’s defininition, which details the exact nature and purpose of every known process.

As many as 20 to 30 processes may be running invisibly, silently in the background on your PC. Some hog system resources drastically slowing down your computer; others are a threat to security and privacy; others may be harmless.

The Windows Task Manager displays most of these processes but you have no information to learn and understand what is what.

Get the latest definitions and exhaustive advice on all the processes running on directly in the Windows Task Manager .

Rational Process Library is included. It enables you to ramp up your organization and projects more quickly with reusable methods and processes to:
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