Introduction to Public Librarianship

by Kathleen de la Peña McCook, Jenny S. Bossaller

Overview

Put simply, there is no text about public librarianship more rigorous or comprehensive than McCook's survey. Now, the REFORMA Lifetime Achievement Award-winning author has teamed up with noted public library scholar and advocate Bossaller to update and expand her work to incorporate the field's renewed emphasis on outcomes and transformation. This "essential tool" (Library Journal) remains 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

• statistics, standards, planning, evaluations, and results;
• legal issues, funding, and politics;
• organization, administration, and staffing;
• all aspects of library technology, from structure and infrastructure to websites and makerspaces;
• adult services, youth services, and children's services;
• associations, state library agencies, and other professional organizations;
• global perspectives on public libraries; and
• advocacy, outreach, and human rights.

Exhaustively researched and expansive in its scope, this benchmark text continues to serve both LIS students and working professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838915066
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	12/04/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Kathleen de la Peña McCookis Distinguished University Professor, School of Information, University of South Florida in Tampa. The Chicago Public Library recognized McCook as a "Scholar in Residence" where she did a system wide series of events on the role of the public library in building communities in 2003. Author of numerous articles, she has also contributed to many books on librarianship, includingService Learning,Libraries & Democracy: The Cornerstones of Liberty, andThe Portable MLIS. She is member of the editorial boards of the journalsProgressive LibrarianandThe Library Quarterly. She was the Dr. Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference and spoke on "Librarians and Human Rights." She was the recipient of REFORMA's Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement (LAA) Award in 2016 and theJoseph W. Lippincott Awardin 2019.

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