Operation management - Operational Analysis Essay

Operation management - Operational Analysis - Essay Example Like any other Wal-mart store, ASDA is well known for its bargaining pricing of its products and services that it sells. It is also known for giving access and selling a wide range of products and services to its customers ranging from accessories and clothing to gardening and household equipment. Services include photography and pharmacy services. The motto of ASDA Wal-mat store Inc has been to help consumers save money and also help consumers lead a cheaper, but higher and better living standard (ASDA, 2010). The main objective of this company is to maintain excellent customer service by providing quality products at affordable prices. Another objective is to improve the sales of the store and implement productivity initiatives. The company has enjoyed a number of successes, including the ability to buy in bulk, sell products and services in huge volumes, and be able to survive on reduced on low profit margins. This has in turn helped the organization to pass on the cost benefit to the consumers and at the same time be able to give consumers more value for money which has been a crucial part of the success of the company in a highly competitive market. The paper will take an analysis of ASDA Wal-mart stores mainly concentrating on its current operations management activities. Introduction In any organization or company, operational management deals with the design and management of processes, products, services, and supply chains (BARNES, 2008). This mainly looks at the development, acquisition, and utilization of resources that are required by the organization in order to deliver goods and services to its consumers. Operational management ranges from the strategic level to the tactical level and finally, to the operational level. In other words, operational management is a function that aims at making sure that there is a smooth flow of processes to convert input into outputs in a cost effective and efficient way. There is normally demand for companies to su stain themselves and survive in a competitive market. However, there are two ways which company can adopt to which are cutting their costs or increasing their revenue. In both cases, the OM capacity of an organization is challenged. In this competitive market where competition increases all the time, a company like ASDA to implement effective operational management tools and systems in order to ensure that the production of goods and services is maintained smoothly and that the demands of customers are fulfilled quickly. OM attempts to create the desired balance between costs and revenue to get the maximum profit and at the same time maintain the quality of goods and services. Normally, big companies like ASDA have huge responsibilities to be able to keep up with the operational management activities involving capacity planning, manpower planning, acquisition, and control, scheduling, managing quality, material control, cost control, training and development for employees, and facil ity location and layout planning (LOADER, 2007). Information and Analysis Current Operations Below is an overview

Marketing Orientation Essay Example for Free

Marketing Orientation Essay There have been many studies of the term ‘marketing orientation’, and its presence within organisations. Marketing orientation is an approach that companies take which centres its activities towards achieving customer satisfaction through effective marketing. It is where customers form the basis of an organisations performance and overall success. In order to achieve successful marketing orientation, a company must organise an effective structure through planning its activities, products and services successfully. This will help the company on focusing its aims and objectives on the needs and requirements of its customers, in order to establish a relationship that will increase performance and success. ‘Market orientation is the organisation wide development of market intelligence pertaining to customer needs. ’ (Kohli and Jaworski, 1990. p12) Two approaches to marketing Orientation have been suggested by Avlonitis and Gounaris (1999), focusing on the practices and culture that the company adopts. It has been interpreted by Avlonitis and Gounaris (1999) that marketing orientation is either ‘a company attitude or company behaviour. This is whether a company is customer orientated or focuses on a competitive advantage through marketing orientation. Other authors have similiar thoughts upon these approaches to marketing orientation. Drucker (1954) believes that customers perceive marketing as an ‘activity involving the entire organisation’, rather than being a specific company process. The author’s view coincides with the work of Avlonitis and Gounaris (1999), as he focuses on the attitude organisations have in satisfying customer needs. The oth er side to this approach is the significance of a company’s culture towards marketing orientated activities. Felton (1959) states; ‘It is the attitudes and beliefs of a workforce that control the level of orientated activities a company strives to achieve,’ implying the focus is on themselves competing rather than putting the customer first. Trout and Ries (1985) perceive marketing orientation as an effort by companies to increase competitor advantage, rather than satisfy customer needs. Therefore the company’s culture is focusing its strategy on competitor orientation in order to achieve success. An organisations performance is a very important aspect of successful marketing orientation. Narver and Slater (1990) state that marketing orientation is based on 3 performance measures, which include ‘customer and competitor orientation, and inter-functional coordination. ’ Introducing effective performance measures can have positive influences on companies, as it helps the company’s culture set aims and objectives for a successful approach to marketing orientation. Jobber (2007) also describes the importance of these measures, stating; ‘A marketing concept culture that manifests in corporate activities to create superior value for customers. However, specific marketing activities relating to the behaviour of a company have ‘emphasis on managerial control rather than the natural culture of the organisation’ (Ellis, 2004), which relates to the work of Trout and Ries (1985) and their beliefs of company’s influencing the importance of competitor orientation over the satisfaction of their customers. Sharp (1991) argues the approach to marketing orientation as described by Drucker (1954), saying that it’s more than just about customer focus; Market orientation has a principle element of focusing on available markets and customer needs. Sharp criticises this view of orientation, as costs of maintaining customer focus will incur in unstable markets, affecting a companies orientation plan. In order to balance this procedure, a company needs equal focus in its approach to marketing orientation, which will help achieve success and efficiency. The link between organisational strategic thinking (Sharp, 1991) and managerial control (Ellis, 2004) helps towards a successful company through competitor orientation. Ellis states that effective performances increase through analysing competitor actions, in order to create a competitor advantage. However, company’s still need to be responsive to customer needs due to volatile markets. Overall increases of a company’s orientation, resulting from effective customer satisfaction, will then lead to greater performances (Kohli and Jaworski, 1990). The relationship between performance and marketing orientation is analysed negatively to strategic marketing. Sin (2005) considers the ‘external environmental aspects’ of marketing orientation, emphasising the importance of linking performance and marketing orientation in order to meet the needs of customers. Sin believes that if companies developed their approaches towards linking these two factors, a more in depth examination of customers needs could be undertaken, which would lead to higher performances within the company. Sin agrees with Sharp’s views, by describing the inclusion of customer needs as well as company aims and objectives. A strategic way of thinking is described by Sharp, where marketing orientation is described as being the most relevant, as it focuses on company, and not just market characteristics. The analyses of various journal articles relating to marketing orientation has led me to understand the different issues relating to marketing orientation. I agree with Kohli and Jaworski (1990) that a company should balance its orientation between customer focus and its aims and objectives, for effective performances. The authors were very clear and focused on what strategies were effective in approaching marketing orientation. I felt that this analysis helped me understand the best method of adopting marketing orientation and how to effectively respond to customer demands, as well as creating a competitive advantage. Limitations to the analysis were discussions from Felton (1959) and Trout and Ries (1995). The views of these authors concentrated on companies who adopted marketing orientation to create a competitive advantage as its main priority. The context of this article focused totally on businesses success and shadowed the importance of customer orientation, something which I feel is crucial for overall success.

Learning Disability Nurse Reflection

Learning Disability Nurse Reflection Summary reflection –Modules 5 9 Working as a learning disability nurse, poses a career fraught with many interesting and often frustrating challenges. However, this is a population that cannot be ignored or slighted medically just because they present with special needs (DOH 2001). Emerson et al. (2001) state that 2.5 – 3% of the population in the UK are among the learning disabled, with 30% of these individuals presenting with categorically severe or profound learning disabilities. Emerson et al. (2001) also tell us that frequently multiple learning disabilities present in the same individual, including physical and/or sensory impairments, physical or sensory disability and/or behavioural difficulties. The five modules presented an opportunity to explore various aspects of this specialty area and reflect on the experience on a module by module basis. The act of revisiting the individual reflection pieces to present the current summary essay allowed for not only intellectually experiencing what I wrote, but it also allowed me to re-experience each situation and gain a new appreciation for the patients I worked with, the teams I took part in, the pros and cons of each situation and what I have learned that will be immediately applicable to a real world work environment. Importance of reflection Driscoll and Teh (2001) tell us that practitioners can gain a stronger understanding about various interventions and protocols used, as well as reviewing the situation specifics of each incident, through the process of reflection. In particular, Foster (1985) stressed the importance of using a journal for purposes of written reflection on nursing practices and procedures in order to help clarify issues and make them more real and visual. Gardiner and Lawley (1995) believe that self awareness, one of the outcomes of nursing reflection, can enable staff to recognise the skills they employ and add meaning to their interactions with peers, team members and clients/patients. There were many positives and negatives I experienced on a module by module basis, but in summary, these will be presented thematically. Achievements Module Five offered the opportunity to gain insight into the lifestyle experienced by those with learning disabilities. Similarly, Module Seven provided much needed and interesting information on the role of special health needs observed in those with special needs. This enabled me to make a difference for a client with diabetes through the development of a health care action plan that included the client’s smoking cessation; something the social worker assigned to the case was no knowledgeable of. It was quite exciting to improve my communication skills throughout the five modules. For example, I was able to improve my rapport with other colleagues and various multidisciplinary healthcare professionals as well as clients as I achieved Module Nine communication based learning objectives. Godsell and Scarbrough (2006) comment communication skills are essential for healthcare practitioners. I believe they are even more critical for those working with the learning disabled. Another example was the ability to communicate effectively myself and help others, such as residential home management, communicate with a specific autistic client experiencing difficulty in choosing daily activities based on his disability. I was able to include this client in the decisions made which is critical to empowering the client with a sense of self. Similarly, during Module Five, I worked with a cerebral palsy client who was screaming due to discomfort; that was her mode of communication, which at th e time I failed to recognise, but upon reflection now know actions as well as words are important modes of communication for those with learning disabilities. Shortcomings In general, a major negative I encountered was feeling I was used as â€Å"the help† rather than as a student nurse during my placement. This limited my ability to contribute and to grow personally and professionally. This was particularly evident during Module Five. Similarly, during Module Eight I was faced with a situation creating a significant amount of stress with no stress management advice or training opportunities from which to learn how to effectively cope. Contrary to Davidson’s (2001) research, there were no in-house stress management training opportunities to take advantage of. There was a sharp discrepancy in Module Nine when reviewing the Valuing People (2001) discourse in relation to people with learning disabilities (PWLD) between what was written in the document and what I experienced at work; whereas the document stresses the rights inherent for all people be extended to PWLD, it was my experience that daily patients and clients were denied access to services due to budgetary measures rather than expressing interest in people’s rights to quality healthcare and a quality standard of life. Gates (2003) tells us those with learning disabilities have rights and should be encouraged to attain respect and reach their potential. Challenges/Learning opportunities One of the main challenges I experienced in the module series, particularly with Module Five, was relating theory to practice. However, through additional research and self motivated learning I was able to bridge the gap. I also experienced a number of personal and professional challenges that I believe helped me become a stronger person and future professional. For example, at the beginning of Module Six, my mentor informed me he would not be available to me. This was very frustrating and upsetting as I knew without the help of a mentor, it would be very difficult to achieve the specific learning objectives outlined. However, I was able to turn this situation into a positive by becoming an active contributor to my own educational process by learning, understanding and solving real life problems (Kaufman, Mann Jennet 2000). Similarly, in Module Nine, I found several of the teaching styles challenging, but that helped to develop my research skills and allow me to make contributions in the group and EBL sessions. This also helped to develop my learning and presentation skills. An additional challenge in Module Nine was situation I encountered when viewing a medication administration concern at work. While I informed my manager of the situation, the team had a negative reaction rather than positive which would have been consistent with concern over patient/client care. Thomas, Mason and Ford (2003) tell us it is difficult for workers to become whistleblowers, especially in situations related to patient/client care or maintaining standards of care. This was an even more difficult challenge for me as I was only a student with limited status in the work environment. This was similar to the situation I found myself in during Module Seven when the community care social worker appeared to be neglecting the client’s diabetes, which is inconsistent with the General Social Care Council (2002) code of practices. I felt I was caught in the middle being a student making suggestions and pointing out care inconsistencies. Through the increased communication skills I developed, I was able to participate with the social worker in the role Gates (2003) identified as a learning disability nurse educator and facilitate changes. In conclusion, through the combined effects of achieving the modules’ learning objectives, reflection on the positive and negative events as well as challenges I encountered throughout modules 5 – 9 have enhanced my skill development of working with the learning disabled, improved my problem solving skills, allowed for improved communicative ability both on interdisciplinary teams as well as working with learning or developmentally challenged persons. The added use of written reflection as a tool will further my ability to transfer these skills into practice in my future placement and allow me to be effective in my nursing capacity on day one of my engagement. References Davidson, J. 2001. Stress management: Minute 10 guide. New York: Macmillan, USA. Department of Health. 2001. Valuing People: A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century. White Paper CM5086. Great Britain. Driscoll, J Teh, B. 2001. The potential of reflective practice to develop individual orthopaedic nurse practitioner and their practice. Journal of Orthopedic Nursing, 5, 95 – 103. Emerson, E, Hatton, C, Felce, D Murphy, A. 2001. Fundamental facts. London: The Foundation of People with a Learning Disability. Gates, B. 2004. Learning disabilities: Towards inclusion (4th ed). London: Churchill Livingstone. General Social Care Council. 2002. Code of Practice for Social Care Workers and Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers. [Online]. Retrieved from: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8E693C62-9B17-48E1-A806-3F6F280354FD/0/CodesofPractice.doc [Accessed 20 September 2008]. Godsell, M Scarbrough, K. 2006. Improving communication for people with learning disabilities. Nursing Standards, 20(30), 58 – 68. Kaufman, DM, Mann, KV Jennet, P. 2000. Teaching and learning in medical education: How theory can inform practice. London: Association for the Study of Medical Education Monograph. Gardiner, A Lawley, K. 1995. Health and social care: Longman advanced GNVQ test and assessment guide. London: Longman Publishing Group. Thomas, A, Mason, L Ford, S. 2003. Care management in practice for the registered manager award: Essential reading for all care managers (2nd ed). Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers

Role of the Narrative in Miltons Lycidas Essay -- Milton Lycidas Essa

Role of the Narrative in Milton's Lycidas  Ã‚  Ã‚   This paper focuses on the role of the narrative in the funeral elegy. To start, the concept of the narratee has been most deeply explored by Gerald Prince from a narratological perspective. Narratology is primary concerned with narrative patterns in fiction. In this regard, any attempt to apply the terminology commonly used in reference to fiction (and prose) to poetry seems problematic. One has to account for the differences or the similarities between the genres in order to put the discussion of the narratee in the elegy into its proper perspective. The current trend leans heavily on Bakhtin's study of the structure of the novel. In the Dialogical Imagination, Bakhtin created a sort of dichotomy between the monologic (poetry) and the dialogic. The novel becomes the site of dialogical discourse par excellence (49). But how valid is a wholesome distinction between genres within which there is so much diversity? Doesn't Bakhtin create a dichotomy which pays little consideration to the possibility of polyphony in specific texts regardless of formal classification? It may be time to consider a literary work not as a predetermined product cast in a deterministic mold, but as a dynamic system that transcends the prevailing assumptions that are supposed to define its identity. The formal definitions can be just external to the composition of the text since we cannot expect the reader to know exactly what the author intended to write without falling into the trap of intentional fallacy. To be sure, readers from different backgrounds can "hear" different voices in a text. Readers who are initiated in a particular literary environment may find the prosodic features they hav... ...enius. The death of Lycidas becomes a "national" tragedy. The principle of substitution works here: the poet who reminds his countrymen of the previous life of a dead poet also pleads for himself, seeks visibility through public discourse. In the context of the scarcity of patronage for poets in the seventeenth-century, a poet like Milton had reason to make such a plea by appealing to the puritanical instincts of an audience that would identify with a chaste genius who died in his integrity. The convoluted metaphor of purity is indeed a "wish-fulfilling dream" as Sacks points out (100). Works Cited Bakhtin, Mikhail. The Dialogic Imagination. Austin: U of Texas P, 1992. Prince, Gerald. "Introduction to the Study of the Narratee." Poetique 14 (1973): 177-96 (reprinted in English). Sacks, Peter M. The English Elegy. Baltimore: John Hopkins UP, 1985.   

Buddhism vs Jainism

There are great differences as well as similarities when comparing Buddhism and Jainism. The major difference that stands out to me would the doctrines of these religions. Mahavira and Buddha parted ways over doctrine differences. Mahavira and Buddha were powerful and charismatic in the eyes of society. They both obtained the amazing skill to convince and influence which are extremely important in start-up religions. Naturally, these two religions often disagreed over finer aspects of their prospective beliefs. Buddhism was more defined in its criticizing of Jainism. Both sought to convert others. The leaders of the two seemed to have put great efforts in support of finding converts. Both leaders, Buddha and Mahavira were from royal families. Mahavira was the last and most popular of the thirthakaras. These people worshipped in temples as â€Å"enlighten beings† who live on earth as humans. Buddhism was actually founded by Siddharta Gautama who later became Buddha entering his mother’s right side white elephant. Jainism and Buddhism were considered atheistic religions. Neither believes a â€Å"supreme God† exist. However, Buddhism seems to be more agnostic due to speculation that Buddha refused to publicly denounce or dismissed the idea of a â€Å"supreme God†. Both Jainism and Buddhism believe that karma is the force that is responsible for suffering on earth. Unlike Buddhism, Jains believe karma is not just a result of ones actions. However, karma is a real substance that becomes attached to each jiva, like impurity, performing many actions while on earth. In Buddhism the eightfold Path and four Noble Truths are what are needed to minimize the effects of negative karma and strive for their ‘salvation’. Both religions believe in liberation. There are great differences regarding who achieves this. Jains believe souls become entangled in the causative phenomena and fall to the law of karma. If liberated souls are pure and divine, but if bound they result in birth and death. According to Jain doctrine, the soul can free itself from suffering of physical life by leading a pure life as taught the thirrthankaras. Buddhism does not believe eternal souls exist. Therefore liberation is physical and mental perspective. This would be considered an individualistic approach. This indicates this person is not eternal neither Devine. Nirvana is a state in which the person’s personality becomes free. Buddhism opposed the order of the Vedic society system that divides people in caste. The Jain did not technically oppose the cast system; however everyone was treated equally under the umbrella of Jainism. Buddha’s teachings also revealed that humans suffered on earth as a direct result of negative karma, becoming attached and full of worldly desires. The Buddhism belief is the world is filled with evil and discomfort. Man is bound to the cycle of births and deaths until righteously committed. Buddhism opposed rituals of Vedic religion and concentrated more on righteous living to achieve liberation. Jainism did not oppose religious rituals. They worshipped the thithankaras in Jain temples. Jain is an austere religion; it focuses more on the individual’s actions and purity for gaining liberation. Buddhism has gained more notoriety than Jainism worldwide, most likely due to its practices. Besides, a major difference lies in the dominions of both the religions. Though both, Buddhism and Jainism, developed and originated individually in India, but difference how they went about teaching and converting. While Buddhism went abroad to other parts of the India, Central Asia, far eastern countries, and parts of North America and Europe as well. Jainism remained confined to India and seems to stagnate as it pertains to growth. Buddhism today is culturally diverse.

Free Essays on Orgin Of Evil

God is good, and all that he has made is good. But, even with all his goodness there is still a corrupt and sinful nature in the world. All this came about because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden. It is easy to recognize that this is the origin of sin, and because of this act, the entire human race has fallen into the same sinful lifestyle. Even though we can trace the original sin, it is not easy to put the finger at a particular person or being to blame the origin of evil into the world. The origin of evil is the first domino in the sinful domino effect. But where did this come from? Who is to blame? Did God originate evil in the world? Did Adam and Eve first have an evil heart before they took of the fruit? Or did it all fall upon God’s mightiest angel? It is within these three people that the origin of sin could have possibly have come. God is the creator of all, but does that mean that he could have created evil as well? This question is similar to a question I heard as a young child, â€Å"Can God make a rock that he can not pick up?† Both of these questions puts God into a box, but in order to bypass any more theological debate, I will end by saying God can do all, but has also placed limits within himself. By understanding this concept it is safe to say that God did install evil into the world. After ever single creation in the Bible, the bible says â€Å"†¦and it was good.† From common knowledge everyone knows that good is the complete opposite of evil, and good and evil have nothing in common with each other. II Corinthians 6:14 says, â€Å"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?† According to John MacArthur, Jr he states, â€Å"God is not the author of evil. If God created evil, then God would be both good and evil. And if God were both good and evil, there would be no hope for the ultimate triumph of good, which... Free Essays on Orgin Of Evil Free Essays on Orgin Of Evil God is good, and all that he has made is good. But, even with all his goodness there is still a corrupt and sinful nature in the world. All this came about because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden. It is easy to recognize that this is the origin of sin, and because of this act, the entire human race has fallen into the same sinful lifestyle. Even though we can trace the original sin, it is not easy to put the finger at a particular person or being to blame the origin of evil into the world. The origin of evil is the first domino in the sinful domino effect. But where did this come from? Who is to blame? Did God originate evil in the world? Did Adam and Eve first have an evil heart before they took of the fruit? Or did it all fall upon God’s mightiest angel? It is within these three people that the origin of sin could have possibly have come. God is the creator of all, but does that mean that he could have created evil as well? This question is similar to a question I heard as a young child, â€Å"Can God make a rock that he can not pick up?† Both of these questions puts God into a box, but in order to bypass any more theological debate, I will end by saying God can do all, but has also placed limits within himself. By understanding this concept it is safe to say that God did install evil into the world. After ever single creation in the Bible, the bible says â€Å"†¦and it was good.† From common knowledge everyone knows that good is the complete opposite of evil, and good and evil have nothing in common with each other. II Corinthians 6:14 says, â€Å"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?† According to John MacArthur, Jr he states, â€Å"God is not the author of evil. If God created evil, then God would be both good and evil. And if God were both good and evil, there would be no hope for the ultimate triumph of good, which...

Сurrent level satisfaction in Granary Library Essays

Ð ¡urrent level satisfaction in Granary Library Essays Ð ¡urrent level satisfaction in Granary Library Essay Ð ¡urrent level satisfaction in Granary Library Essay The Business I have chosen to base my work on is the Granary library. I am going to investigate and analise the current level of satisfaction within the library, both users and non-users. An interview will be conducted with an executive librarian from the Library, Deirdre O Dea. Quantitative research will involve the use of a questionnaire with a combination of closed and multi-choice questions. The report examines whether users satisfaction with the library services is affected by certain objectives. The surveys suggest some recommendations and conclusion. Introduction Kotler (2000) defined satisfaction as: a persons feeling of pleasure or disappointment resulting from comparing a products perceived performance (or outcome) in relation to his or her expectations1. In other words the satisfaction can be associated with feelings of acceptance, happiness, relief, excitement and delight. There are many factors that affect customer satisfaction. This research involves a survey on the Granary Librarys level of satisfaction. Factors include friendly, knowledgeable and courteous employees, service quality, and good value. In this case satisfaction is the state that results after the library user has positively experienced a service. The survey was planned to assess usage of and satisfaction with resources and selected library services. Many researchers have looked into the importance of customer satisfaction. In this case it is important for users to get an acceptable library service, whether it is to be used for a personal research or for a personal pleasure. Because satisfaction is basically a psychological state, care should be taken in the effort of quantitative measurement. Therefore in order to achieve customer satisfaction, the Library must be able to satisfy their customers needs and wants and represents the adequate service level. Background The Library is located in the Limerick city Council on the Michael Street. Its mission statement is We are committed to giving a quality service to everyone in a safe and secure environment. Our staff will make sure that services are delivered properly, fairly, openly and impartially2. Use of the facilities in the Library is open to all and there are no charges except for photocopying and printing. A full-time librarian is available at the reference department to assist people with queries and research. In addition to the many historical reference materials available there is an extensive collection of Limerick-related materials held here. This local collection is an essential aid for anyone researching the history of Limerick. The Music Library, stocks over 5,000 items including: In order to get a profile of users, those surveyed were asked to state their gender and age. There was a range in age from high school, undergraduate and graduate students (20%) to adults (72. 5%). Age group was an approximately equal e. g. male (42. 5%) and female (57. 5%). Appendix 1 As many of the questionnaires were completed in the library, it was not surprising that (87. 5%) respondents stated that they were members of the library. Those (12. 5%) who were not members of the library stated that newspapers were cited as the principal source of information by this group. The 70% of respondents said that they visit the library a weekly, 25% -monthly and just 5% visit the library rarely. The primary uses of the library refer to respondents are: personal pleasure which topped the list (35%), followed by personal research (22. 5%) and school related (17. 5%). More less percent use the library for work related purposes (10%) and an equal amount for childrens and social purposes (7. 5%) Appendix 2 The 80% of users declared that they always found what they were looking for when searching for materials. The 15% indicated that was less easy and for the rest 5% of users it was not easy at all. Appendix 3 Question ? 10 was asked in relation to staff and services of the library. These related to staff helpfulness, security, convenient hours, areas for reading etc. The overall response to this was very positive with 45% of respondents offering favourable opinions on staff helpfulness, knowledge and friendliness. 30% of users indicated a good level of satisfaction with areas for reading. The rest of respondents were not satisfied with existing library services such as: security (7. 5%), convenient hours (12. 5%) and parking (5%). Appendix 3 Finally, the list of comments was analysed, using five main categories, into positive and negative comments. These are displayed in Appendix ? A high level (32. 5%) of adult and childrens books (27. 5%) was rated and confirmed by the survey. The 30% were satisfied with reference materials. Some respondents identified a need more for audio tapes. The areas where lowest satisfaction levels were recorded were: films (5%) and internet access (2. 5%). The 65% of members indicated that the library is fairly important to them and for the 32. 5% is extremely important. Overall the 65% are satisfied with existing library services and the rest of respondents (35%) are extremely satisfied. Appendix ? On the other hand people were asked what improvements they would like to see in the public library services. The respondents included a wider selection of books and audio materials and improvement of internet facilities. Some of them said the weekend hours are too short. Some respondents called for extended range of events and exhibitions. Conclusions The main conclusions of the study may be summarised as follows: Barriers to public library service included a lack of suitable stock and limitation on library budget. The major issues also flagged as a barrier to further use were: opening hours, stock, internet access and parking. The survey suggests that if they were improved in these areas, use of the library services would increase. The arrival in Ireland of significant numbers of foreign nationals has provided a new challenge for public library services. The survey of foreign nationals also indicated a need for newspapers. A lot of foreigners use the internet facilities were the service must used in public library. The majority used them to communicate by e-mail with family and friends back home, to learn new languages and to look up general information queries. Lack of language skills is a barrier to library access. Recommendations The results of these evaluations served as a basis for the final recommendations. They need improve their stock. This included: quality and quantity of books, reference, historical and archival publications, magazines, video/tapes, audio books. To identify and meet the needs of growing culturally diverse population that communicates in an increasing variety of languages the management should provide an appropriate training for staff to enable them to interact more effectively with foreigners. Translated materials on library service should facilitate it. The library needs to update commercial relationships with suppliers of library books. More use of new technology to enhance the efficiency of traditional library services such as book issues, access to library catalogues and provision of reference information. The staff needs to be honest with library users in educating/informing them as to what libraries can or cannot provide. Therefore I would recommend the library to improve the methods to learn about the library resources and services in future: e-mail links to (in-depth), short notices about resources and services.