In the age of self-service technologies, library specialists need to understand what criteria are used by customers to evaluate library services. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the major e-service evaluation criteria from the point of view of users of the largest university library in Estonia. Focus groups were used to identify the most significant criteria of e-service quality, and participants brought out 15 quality criteria. The list of criteria is explained and discussed.

Service quality and new electronic services are strategic issues for academic libraries to find better ways to support learning and research at the universities. In the age of self-service technologies, library specialists need to understand what criteria are used by customers to evaluate library services. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the major e-service evaluation criteria from the point of view of users of the largest university library in Estonia. Focus groups were used to identify the most significant criteria of e-service quality, and participants brought out 15 quality criteria. The list of criteria is explained and discussed. The study has shown that technological and marketing approaches for studying e-service quality may be complemented by another one -a social approach, based on communication, user participation and feedback.

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The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of service quality monitoring as the starting point for service development in academic libraries. The proposed approach to quality research allows gathering essential information to focus strategic planning on the services that are important for users and efficiently allocate the library's resources. A conceptual model of quality of academic library services is proposed based on the focus group research. The library service quality assessment instrument UTLib Qual, based on the Zone of Tolerance concept and an importance-performance mapping method, is described. The possibilities of using the instrument in support of library management decisions are analysed by a case study on the Tartu University Library, Estonia.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse institutional and functional development of a library with the help of communication theories. The library as a social institution should have a quite strong position in today’s information society, but new ways of information search have made its position unstable. Thus, a library needs theoretical and cultural-political comprehension and reassessment. The paper tries to answer the questions as to how a library can satisfy the needs of modern society and which strategy of library communication will be in demand tomorrow. Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical background is represented by communication theories of Marshal McLuhan, Denis McQuail and Yuri Lotman, as well as Michel Foucault’s concepts of disciplinary power and governmentality. Findings – The analysis revealed that library–user communication is based primarily on power relations, where “access” is the main keyword. The article brought out differences in library communicative processes in the “Gutenberg Galaxy” and today’s global network society, “Zuckerberg Era”. The analysis showed that library–user relationship is shifting from disciplinary power and monologue to the governmentality and new communicative forms, dialogue and participation. Research limitations/implications – The study demonstrates the possibility of implication of communication theories for library functional analysis. The new studies investigating which methods and forms of communication do libraries use today, how are the elements of power relations transforming would be very useful for the understanding of the topic. Practical implications – The study proposes to libraries some ideas that may be useful for developing the library communication strategy. Originality/value – This study, based on the communicative approach, corresponds well to library phenomenon and nature, as well as allows for reflection on the role of libraries in the society of today and future.