Librarians’ Experiences and Expectations of the Narrative and Transmedia Shelf: Results from Two Focus Groups

Abstract

This paper presents the results of two focus groups involving librarians on the topic of library collection communication. Specifically, it discusses the “narrative and transmedia shelf”, a pre-prototype model designed to enhance both physical and digital resources, analyzing its effectiveness and sustainability within professional practice. The study aims, on the one hand, to value the experimental activity conducted by libraries that tested the model and, on the other, to explore the potential and critical issues hypothesized by participants interested in the project. The main thematic nodes emerged include the impact on the organization and usage of collections, the role of digital integration, and the expected benefits. Furthermore, the analysis highlights constraints related to professional skills and technological infrastructure. In conclusion, the paper discusses participative and collaborative approaches for integrating the model into library services.