This doctoral dissertation studies the role and the importance of the central regional libraries (CRL), which were established by The Librarianship Act (2001), and the scope of their special tasks was determined by The Rules on Central Regional Libraries (2003). This is the first comprehensive research on the performance of special CRL tasks and their influence on the system of public libraries in Slovenia. The purpose of the research is to determine the development of Slovenian public libraries and compare it to the development of the public libraries in selected European countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Croatia and Lithuania). We used performance indicators to determine the performance of the execution of special tasks of CRL and estimate the suitability of the indicators. We wanted to gain the opinion of CRL and central libraries (CL) managers and CRL coordinators on the performance of special tasks, frequency of cooperation, execution satisfaction, influence of performed tasks on the system and record the elements on which the future system should be based and gain an insight into the background of CRL acquisition. The results were acquired with the analysis of statistical data, based on which we calculated the development indicators and performance indicators, with the survey with managers of public libraries and interviews with CRL coordinators and professionals in the field of public libraries. We found that the development rate of Slovenian public libraries has improved, however the uneven development of library activities and significant differences between the more developed West and less developed East are still noticeable. According to the development, Slovenia is only slightly behind the most developed countries, Denmark and Finland. The analysis of the performance indicators showed that the CRL are relatively successful in performing special tasks. We have also found that we would need to redefine some of the performance indicators. Surveying the managers of Slovenian public libraries (40) showed a relatively high rate of satisfaction with performance of special tasks and significant influence on the quality of library services. CRL coordinators (9) highlighted the necessity of coordination of special tasks on the state level and cooperation and integration between CRL and the NUK (National and University Library). According to the opinion of the professionals in the field of public libraries (3), the CRL only partly fulfilled the expectations. Finally, we designed the proposal of the quality CRL model, which is based on relevant legal foundations, an efficient library network, professionally qualified personnel, redesigned content of special tasks and state level coordination.
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