Description
Book SynopsisDrawing on two decades of original research conducted by the authors, as well as existing research about the intersection of public policy, political discourse, and public libraries, this book seeks to understand the origins and implications of the current standing of public libraries in public policy and political discourse. It both explains the complex current circumstances and offers strategies for effectively creating a better future for public libraries. The main message is that there is a pressing need for public librarians and other supporters of public libraries to be:1.Aware of the political process and its implications for libraries;2.Attuned to the interrelationships between policy and politics; and3.Engaged in the policy process to articulate the need for policies that support public libraries. The style is both scholarly and accessible to general readers, with the goal of being useful to students, educators, researchers, practitioners, and friends of public libraries in
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Acronyms List of Figures and Tables Preface Chapter 1: Politics, Policies, and Public Libraries Chapter 2: The Development of Public Libraries as a Public Good in the United States Chapter 3: The Evolution of Policies Affecting Public Libraries in the Unites States Chapter 4: Prevailing Governance and Economic Ideologies Chapter 5: Changes in Public Libraries and Changes in Communities Chapter 6: Engagement and Valuation of the Public Good Chapter 7: Demonstrating Library Value and Advocating for Support Chapter 8: The Public Library in the Local Political Process References About the Authors
