Introduction to Public Librarianship
Jenny S. Bossaller (Author), Denice Adkins (Author), Kathleen de la Peña McCook (Foreword by)
9798892555630
Paperback / softback, published 4 September 2024
344 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg
Dubbed "a peerless ambassador for public libraries, educating future professionals, current professionals in other parts of the field, and anyone else interested about the irreplaceable and irrepressible entities that are public libraries” (Library Quarterly), the newest edition of this trusted resource has been reimagined and restructured to make it even more relevant and useful. The definitive handbook on this branch of the profession, it covers every aspect of the public library, from its earliest history through its current incarnation on the cutting edge of the information environment, including
- a summary of current and historical issues in public libraries;
- a new chapter on financing which covers traditional sources, creative funding, capital campaigns, special projects, and the pros and cons of public/private partnerships;
- statistics, standards, planning, evaluations, and results;
- legal issues and politics, including how different states are set up, the role of state libraries, defining service population, and when the law and values conflict (such as union/non-union scenarios);
- updated coverage of important advocacy issues, including advocacy for access, the legal limits of advocacy, involving the community in advocacy, and communicating the effectiveness of the public library to stakeholders;
- organization, administration, and staffing, from the differences between small libraries and large systems to current issues like non-MLIS library workers and unionization;
- learning about who public libraries serve by utilizing community analysis, community needs assessments, and diversity considerations;
- adult services, youth services, children's services, and serving special populations such as older adults, adults with special needs, schools, daycares, and the incarcerated;
- library technology, from structure and infrastructure to websites and makerspaces;
- issues related to library buildings and master plans, such as gathering community input and working with an architect on library spaces and library services outside of the library;
- library associations, state library agencies, and other professional organizations;
- disaster planning and recovery from technological, ecological, and biological disasters; and
- global perspectives on public libraries.
List of Figures and Tables
Foreword, by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook
Chapter 1. The American Public Library: Where Are We Now?
by Jenny S. Bossaller and Denice Adkins
- The Democratic Promise of Public Libraries
- Roundup of Trends
- Conclusion
- Note
- References
Chapter 2. Public Library Development: Early Colonial Times to the 1960s
by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook and Jenny S. Bossaller
- Public Libraries: The Beginnings
- The Interwar Period to the Public Library Inquiry
- After World War II
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 3. Public Libraries: 1960s to Present
by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook and Jenny Bossaller
- Civil Rights and Public Libraries
- Federal Funding: LSA to LSCA to LSTA
- Transforming the Philosophy of Public Librarianship
- Public Libraries in the Twenty-First Century: Core Values and Trends
- Conclusion
- Note
- References
Chapter 4. Our Communities
by Denice Adkins
- Working with Your Community
- Analyzing Your Community’s Needs
- Collecting Community Data
- Collecting Data on Smaller Subsets of the Community
- Outreach
- Community Partnerships
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 5. Political and Legal Aspects of Public Libraries
by Jenny S. Bossaller
- IMLS and State Libraries
- Library Governance
- Library Service Area
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Problems and Issues
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 6. Financing Public Libraries
by A. J. Million and Jenny S. Bossaller
- Snapshot: Library Income and Expenses
- Trends in Funding and Expenses
- Funding Sources
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 7. The Public Library Staff
by Denice Adkins
- How Libraries Are Organized
- The Board of Trustees
- The Library Director
- Library Workers
- Volunteers
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 8. Space and Place: Public Library Buildings
by Lori Everett
Communities Build Libraries, and Libraries Build Communities
- The Library as the Service Center of the Community
- The Library as a Community Center
- The Library as a Resource for Digital Technology
- The Library as Outdoor Space
- The Library as an Integral Part of a Resilient Community
- Building for the Future
- Planning for the Infrastructure
- Interior Design
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 9. Services for Adults
by Vanessa Irvin and Bharat Mehra
- Readers’ Services
- Library Programming
- Library Services for Older Adults
- Adults with Special Needs
- Health and Wellness Services
- Local History and Genealogy
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 10. Services for Youth
by Alicia K. Long
- History of Youth Services in Public Libraries
- Youth Services Professionals, Patrons, and Their Caregivers
- Services, Resources, and Programs
- Present and Future Lessons in Youth Services in Public Libraries
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 11. Advocacy
Local Advocacy: A Key Driver of Library Funding
by Patrick Sweeney
- The Political and Cultural Context
- How Libraries Build Political Capital at the Local Level
- Audience Engagement
- Start Work Before the Crisis
- Note
- References
ALA: National Collective Advocacy for Libraries
by Larra Clark and Amelia Bryne
- Advocacy Is a Long Game
- Have an Agenda
- Relationships Matter
- Note
- References
- Conclusion
Chapter 12. Collaboration and Consortia
by Jenny S. Bossaller
- Cooperation Enabled by Technology
- Community Partnership and Outreach
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 13. Measuring the Effectiveness of the Public Library
by Denice Adkins and A.J. Million
- The History of Measuring Libraries
- Library Data Collection Instruments
- Awards, Recognition, and Local Standards
- Communicating Library Effectiveness with Stakeholders
- Conclusion
- References
Chapter 14. Disaster-Ready Libraries: How Public Libraries Are Equipped to Serve Their Communities in Times of Crisis
by Beth Patin and Ruth Xing
- Defining Crisis
- Understanding Disasters and Resilience: Types, Scale, and Scope
- Before COVID: Libraries Responding to Crises
- The Pandemic and Postpandemic Shifts in Library Preparedness
- Library Disaster Plans
- Conclusion
- Notes
- References
Chapter 15. Global Perspectives on Public Libraries
by Clara M. Chu, with contributions from Barbara J. Ford, Kodjo Atiso, Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook, Lin Wang, Alicia K. Long, Tatjana Aparac-JelÚsic, and Loida Garcia-Febo
- Public Libraries around the World: Histories and Vignettes
- The Public Library Manifesto and International Statistics
- IFLA: A Global Voice for Public Libraries
- Public Libraries and Sustainable Development
- Public Libraries Sharing Expertise and Working Abroad
- User Services, Collection Development, and Intellectual Freedom
- Governance and Funding
- International Library Development Initiatives
- Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Public Libraries Worldwide
- References
About the Authors and Contributors
Index
