Table of Contents
List of Figures xi
Foreword Felton Thomas Jr. xv
Preface Kathleen de la Peña McCook Jenny S. Bossaller xvii
Acknowledgments xxi
1 The American Public Library: Democracy's Hope and The Community's Commons Kathleen de la Peña McCook l
The Community's Commons: Heart, Anchor, Safe Haven 8
Evolution 14
Notes 17
References 18
2 Development of the Public Library in America: Colonial Times to the 1960s Kathleen de la Peña McCook 23
Colonial Times to 1852 23
1852 to the Great War (World War I) 30
State Library Commissions 35
World War I (1918) to the Public Library inquiry (1952) 37
After World War II: The Public Library Inquiry 39
From LSA to LSCA (1956 to 1966) 40
Notes 42
References 46
3 People, Not Institutions: Toward Equity of Access (1960 to the Present) Kathleen de la Peña McCook 53
Civil Rights and the Role of Public Libraries 53
People and Community Focused Librarianship: Equity of Access Becomes a Core Value for America's Public Libraries 54
A Strategy for Public Library Change: A Major Transformation of the Philosophy of Public Librarianship 56
Steps toward Transformation: Roles, Responses, and Outcomes 57
Thirty Years of the Library Services and Construction Act: 1966 to 1996 59
Transformation and Strategic Planning: 1996 to 2015 61
The New Outcome Era: 2015 to the Present 61
The Public Library in the Twenty-First Century: Core Values and Trends 66
Conclusion 72
Notes 72
References 75
4 The Public Library Journey to Accountability: Metrics and Outcomes to Demonstrate Value Kathleen de la Peña McCook 81
Measuring the Outcomes of Library Programs 81
How Do We Convey the Importance of Public Libraries? 83
State Public Library Standards 91
Ratings and Awards 93
Quality of Life and Human Development 96
Notes 97
References 100
5 "More and Better Libraries": Political, Legal, and Financial Aspects of the Public Library Kathleen de la Peña McCook 105
The Library in the Government 106
State Library Administrative Agencies and the Institute of Museum and Library Services 114
The Library Services and Technology Act 115
Evaluations 121
Advocacy and Federal Legislation 122
Funding the Public Library 123
Transforming the Perception of Libraries 136
Notes 137
References 140
6 The Public Library's People: Work Life and Commitment Kathleen de la Peña McCook 143
How Libraries Are Organized 143
The Library Board of Trustees 144
Trustee Organizations 150
The Library Director 152
The Library Staff 158
Union Impact on Salaries and Working Conditions 174
Friends of Libraries 174
Volunteers 175
Overarching Issues Relating to Staffing 176
Continuing Education and Staff Development 181
Recognizing Excellence in Staff and Trustee Development 183
Notes 184
References 187
7 The Public Library Building: Emblem of Community Heritage and Embodiment of Community Courage Kathleen de la Peña McCook 193
Civic Memory and Identity 193
The Beginning of the Public Library Building 195
Funds for Public Library Construction: Priming the Pump with LSCA 197
Building Showcases 202
Branches 206
Resources on Building Design 208
Accessibility and Universal Design 212
Green and Sustainable Building 214
Bookmobiles 215
Disasters and Public Libraries 216
Conclusion 219
Notes 220
References 223
8 Youth Services in Public Libraries: History, Core Services, Challenges, and Opportunities Alicia K. Long 229
History 230
From Core Services to Civic Engagement and Innovation 234
Youth Media Book Awards 243
Key Books and Media Awards for Children and Young Adults in the United States 244
Programs and Initiatives 247
The Future of Youth Services: Challenges and Opportunities 250
Notes 252
References 253
9 Reader and Adult Services: To Survive, to Flourish, to Create Kathleen de la Peña McCook Katharine Phenix 257
Inclusion and Accessibility 258
Reader Services 259
Adult Services during the Planning Era (1966 to 2015): Public Library Roles to Services Responses 275
The Public Library as the Help Desk and Facilitator of Community Engagement 276
Conclusion 279
Notes 281
References 285
10 Collaboration and Consortia Jenny S. Bossaller 293
Cooperating with Each Other: Consortia, State Libraries, and Cooperatives 294
Local History: Cooperating with the Community and with Other Libraries 302
Community Outreach: Cooperating with Other Groups 309
Public Library Leadership 316
Conclusion 316
References 316
11 Technology in Public Libraries: An Overview of the Past, Present, and Future Richard J. Austin Diane Austin 321
Information Technology in Public Libraries: A Brief History 323
Public Librarianship and Technology Skills 325
Information Technology in Public Libraries Today 328
Kinds of Technology 330
Connections: Library 2.0 and 3.0 335
Electronic Resources and Digital Libraries 340
Conclusion 342
Notes 343
References 344
12 Global Perspectives on Public Libraries Clara M. Chu Barbara J. Ford 347
History and Purpose of Public Libraries: A World View 349
Worldwide Snapshot 350
IFLA: A Global Voice for Public Libraries 353
Implementing the Manifesto 364
Impact and Advocacy 364
Community Outreach and Services 370
The Road Ahead for Public Libraries Worldwide 373
References 375
Afterword: What We Do Katharine Phenix 379
About the Authors and Contributors 389
Index 393