Local history programs are an important aspect of the work of public libraries, as they provide access to information about the local environment. However, effective planning of these services requires a thorough understanding of users and their needs. The purpose of this master's thesis was to study the users and use of the local history collection of the Domžale Library: who the users are, what materials they use, for what purpose, and what suggestions they have for improving local history activities. The research, conducted between November 2023 and May 2025, included a survey of 109 library users, interviews with users and non-users of the local history collection, and an analysis of statistical data on the borrowing of materials from the local history collection. The results showed that the most frequently used materials are those by local history authors, and that the collection is used by a diverse group of users for various purposes: leisure, research, work, school and student assignments. The interviews provided an insight into how the collection is used, and the participants also made various suggestions for improving local history activities, among which greater promotion in the wider local community stands out. Based on the surveys and interviews, we created five profiles of typical users (personas). The findings of the research provide insight into the characteristics of users of the Domžale Library's local history collection and provide a starting point for further development and planning of services in the field of local history activities.
|