Public Library Policy Research Articles

Wheat and Chaff: Carl Roden, Abe Korman, and the Definitions of Intellectual Freedom in the Chicago Public Library

The root of current intellectual freedom policy extends deeper into the past than the Des Moines (Iowa) Public Library policy. The board of directors of the Chicago Public Library authorized the first intellectual freedom policy in April 1936 in response to challenges from Polish and Russian communities about the collection developed by the Chicago Public Library Foreign Language Department. Abram Korman, the chair of the department, was an activist librarian who challenged the more traditional positions of his chief administrator, Carl B. Roden. Their conflicting strategies became the seedbed for a transformation of the mission of public librarianship, and their personal relationship reflected the changes emerging within the practice itself.

The public library, exclusion and empathy: a literature review

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a review of the literature within the fields of public librarianship, social exclusion and empathy.Design/methodology/approachThe cross‐disciplinary review involved the consultation of material from disciplines including library and information management, politics, social policy and social sciences, cultural studies, psychology, management and organizational theory. It was structured according to the following themes: exclusion, inclusion and social policy, social inclusion in public services and the cultural sector, the role of public libraries in social inclusion and professional empathy and the public library service.Findings–The concept of social inclusion remains at the core of public library policy and strategy, and is embedded in contemporary social theory. Conflicting views have emerged as to the perceived and actual role of the public library in combating social exclusion, with a need expressed for research to be conducted that bridges the gap between the “philosophical” interpretations of community librarianship and the more practical, “real world” studies, in order to fully understand the concept of community librarianship. A critical link is made between social inclusion and public librarianship to professional empathy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides an edited version of the overall literature review, yet it is felt that it would be of theoretical and practical relevance and value to the professional and academic communities.Originality/valueEmpathy is a relatively new concept in librarianship research, and prior to the study of which this review forms a part only limited findings have been available.

국내 공공도서관의 정책적 현안과 과제

The aim of this paper is to analyse correlation between the new library act and policy tasks of public libraries in Korea. In order to attain this objective, author set seven policy tasks, that is, amendment and complement of master plan for library development, unification of public library administrative system, institutionalization of local public library and information policy, job analysis and improvement of library personnel system, infrastructure expansion and revision of various legal standards, standardization of management evaluation and statistical system, and strong connection between public library and related cultural institutions. And author suggested the alternatives to drive and improve of these policy tasks.

Unannounced and Unexpected: The Desegregation of Houston Public Library in the Early 1950s

Houston Public Library operated as a racially segregated system until 1953, when it quietly changed its policy to one of token integration. Occurring some seven years before the Houston Independent School District began to desegregate, the public library's policy change depended on a few key individuals. Drawing on the library's records of discussions and events, this article traces the history of a major shift in philosophy and practice at a large urban public library in the U.S. South.

Introduction of the concept of social inclusion to public library policy in the United Kingdom

Introduction of the concept of social inclusion to public library policy in the United Kingdom

Open to All? The public library and social exclusion: executive summary

The executive summary of the report of an 18‐month research project on public library policy and social exclusion based at Leeds Metropolitan University and conducted in partnership with the London Borough of Merton (Libraries), Sheffield Libraries, Archives and Information Services, and John Vincent, an independent consultant. Briefly describes the background to the research and gives a summary of the study findings and the main conclusions and recommendations. The study examines the context of social exclusion and the nature of the problems facing public libraries and other public institutions in tackling disadvantage.

The Public Library, Social Exclusion and the Information Society in the United Kingdom

The digital divide is now a commonly recognised feature of information society. This article explores recent developments in the United Kingdom (UK) which attempt to address this issue, and examines national and local information policy, community networking, and public library policy. It assesses the claim, common in the UK public library community, that the wiring up of the public libraries will have a significant impact on disadvantage, poverty and social exclusion. In particular, it analyses the process of public library networking as it has unfolded since 1997, drawing upon the empirical findings of Open to All? The Public Library and Social Exclusion (Muddiman et al. 2000), a research project funded by the UK Library and Information Commission (now Resource). This research suggests that despite a rhetorical commitment to social inclusion, the technological transformation of UK public library services will result in little more than a modernisation of current services, with little change in overall strategy or user focus. Consequently, it is argued that if public libraries are to reach out to the excluded of the information society, they will need to move beyond a passive preoccupation with access and use technological change as a means towards more active engagement with local communities and disadvantaged users so that the public library will indeed be open to all.

Ideological dilemmas in Norwegian public library policy

Ideological dilemmas in Norwegian public library policy

Canadian University Policy and the Information Infrastructure: Past Lessons, Future Directions

This paper presents an overview of the course of twentieth-century Canadian universality in social, telecommunications, broadcasting, and public library policies as a broader and more realistic context for the development of information infrastructure policy. Recent market-oriented policy proposals do not consider the object lessons learned from market failures in the first half of this century that resulted in demands for a more secure, equitable, and inclusive society. The recent drive to deregulate has spurred public advocates to fight for government intervention to preserve universality in policy decisions for the Canadian information infrastructure. This study concludes that the private and government sectors are eroding universal access in favour of competition. Past and present policy examples indicate that universality will not occur without government intervention.

Size and Efficiency in Public Library Provision: A Review of the Arguments

Reviews the history of political and professional debates on the optimum size of public library authorities in the UK. Discusses conclusions on size in the major legislation and reports on public library policy prior to local government reorganization in 1974. Considers the effects of the 1974 local government reorganization and examines the subsequent continuing debate. Concludes that in the light of further impending modification of the UK local government system, further research is required into the structure and size of a public library service.

Public library development in Papua New Guinea

Presents the findings and recommendations of a Unesco consultancy to prepare a library development plan for Papua New Guinea in 1990. Due to lack of time, the plan focused on public library development. Outlines the need for public library services to be extended to rural, as well as urban, areas. Describes the requirements for developing the public library infrastructure, including clear designation of responsibility for public libraries, adequate financial provision, promotion of coordination and cooperation, development of public library policy and legislation and the education and training of staff. Emphasises the need for close links with literacy programmes and book development.

Public Library Policy. Proceedings of the IFLA/Unesco Pre-Session Seminar, Lund, August 20-24, 1979. K. C. Harrison

<i>Public Library Policy. Proceedings of the IFLA/Unesco Pre-Session Seminar, Lund, August 20-24, 1979</i>. K. C. Harrison

Citizen Participation and Public Library Policy. Jane Robbins

Previous articleNext article No AccessReviewsCitizen Participation and Public Library Policy. Jane Robbins Allie Beth MartinAllie Beth Martin Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Library Quarterly Volume 46, Number 1Jan., 1976 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/620481 Views: 1Total views on this site Copyright 1976 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Public Library Policies: General and Specific. Ruth M. White

<i>Public Library Policies: General and Specific</i>. Ruth M. White

The Situation as we now see it

I want to begin this, the last of six articles on public library policy, with a personal explanation. When I wrote the first I nursed, with reasonable justification, hopes that have not been fulfilled. I hoped that during this great year of centenary celebrations we should enjoy changes in library legislation which would go far to remove some of the obstacles to the future development of the British public library service, which would enable us better to provide that kind of public library which the experiences of a hundred years have taught us to be necessary and possible.

Public Library Policy Reviewed (4)

I WROTE last time of the importance of staff in relation to our information service. The quality of all library work depends upon the quality of the people who do it. Here, however, is another vicious circle—many library services are inadequate because their staffs are not good enough, yet while they remain inadequate they don't provide opportunity for good staff. The staffing situation is precisely comparable with the book supply situation, as already discussed. Without good book stocks a library cannot start doing the kind of work that will demonstrably justify good stocks; similarly until it employs people capable of doing genuinely professional librarianship, a library is unlikely to do much that justifies their employment.

Public Library Policy Reviewed (2)

I want to amplify some of the statements in my first article regarding book stock. I suggested then that to be adequate the lending department of a public library must meet three requirements:—

Public library policy reviewed—I

Public library services should be capable of giving to all people who want it everything that books and related materials can usefully contribute to their lives and which they cannot better obtain elsewhere. To my mind that phrase, which I shall amplify, expresses the basic function of public libraries and the simple duty of those responsible for them. As a believer—an idealist, if you will—and not just a “jobber,” I will add the idea that public libra‐ries should be capable of encoura‐ging and helping more people to use them to better advantage.