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:	9780838916643
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	12/04/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	895,512
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Kathleen de la Peña McCook is 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, including Service Learning, Libraries&Democracy: The Cornerstones of Liberty, and The Portable MLIS. She is member of the editorial boards of the journals Progressive Librarian and The 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 the Joseph W. Lippincott Award in 2019.

Table of Contents

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. The American Public Library The Community's Commons: Heart, Anchor, Safe Haven Evolution Notes References Colonial Times to 1852 1852 to the Great War (World War I) State Library Commissions World War I (1918) to the Public Library Inquiry (1952) After World War II: The Public Library Inquiry From LSA to LSCA (1956 to 1966) Notes References Civil Rights and the Role of Public Libraries People and Community Focused Librarianship: Equity of Access Becomes a Cord Value for America's Public Libraries A Strategy for Public Library Change: A Major Transformation of the Philosophy of Public Librarianship Steps Toward Transformation: Roles, Responses, and Outcomes Thirty Years of the Library Services and Construction Act: 1966 to 1996 The New Outcome Era: 2015 to the Present The Public Library in the Twenty-First Century: Core Values and Trends Notes References Measuring the Outcomes of Library Programs How Do We Convey the Importance of Public Libraries? State Public Library Standards Ratings and Awards Quality of Life and Human Development Notes References Chapter 5. "More and Better Libraries" The Library in the Government State Library Administrative Agencies and the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Library Services and Technology Act Evaluations Advocacy and Federal Legislation Funding the Public Library Transforming the Perception of Libraries Notes References How Libraries are Organized The Library Board of Trustees Trustee Organizations The Library Director The Library Staff Friends of Libraries Volunteers Overarching Issues Relating to Staffing Continuing Educastion and Staff Development Recognizing Excellence in Staff and Trustee Development Notes References Civic Memory and Identity The Beginning of the Public Library Building Funds for Public Library Construction: Priming the Pump with LSCA Building Showcases Branches Resources on Building Design Accessibility and Universal Design Green and Sustainable Building Disasters and Public Libraries Conclusion Notes References Chapter 8. Youth Services in Public Libraries History From Core Services to Civic Engagement and Innovation Youth Media Book Awards Key Books and Media Awards for Children and Young Adults in the United States Programs and Initiatives The Future of Youth Services: Challenges and Opportunities Notes References Chapter 9. Reader and Adult Services Inclusion and Accessibility Reader Services Adult Services During the Planning Era (1966–2015): Public Library Roles to Services Responses The Public Library as the Help Desk and Facilitator of Community Engagement Conclusion Notes References Chapter 10. Collaboration and Consortia Cooperating with Each Other: Consortia, State Libraries, and Cooperatives Local History: Cooperating with the Community and with Other Libraries Community Outreach: Cooperating with Other Groups References Chapter 11. Technology in Public Libraries Information Technology in Public Libraries: A Brief History Public Librarianship and Technology Skills Information Technology in Public Libraries Today Kinds of Technology Connections: Library 2.0 and 3.0 Electronic Resources and Digital Libraries Conclusion Notes References Chapter 12. Global Perspectives on Public Libraries History and Purpose of Public Libraries: A World View Worldwide Snapshot IFLA: A Global Voice for Public Libraries Impact and Advocacy Community Outreach and Services The Road Ahead for Public Libraries Worldwide References Afterword About the Authors and Contributors Index