Public Libraries in Transition: Ideals, Strategies, and Research

• Published in: Libraries & culture Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 75 - 94
• Main Author: Maack, Mary Niles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austin, TX University of Texas Press 01-01-1994
• Subjects: Communities; Cultural institutions; Documentation institutions; Exact sciences and technology; Information Age; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Libraries; Libraries. Virtual and electronic libraries. Media centers. Documentation centers; Library associations; Library operations; Library patron services; Library surveys; Mission statements; Public libraries; Sciences and techniques of general use; USA; Objective; Strategy; Professional responsability; Public library; Ideology
• ISSN: 0894-8631; 1534-7591

Since the Public Library Inquiry research team not only suggested certain courses of action but also recommended a significant change in the belief system of the profession, the debate that was generated proved to be a catalyst for an ongoing reassessment of both the core values and the practices of the field. This paper examines how the reformulation of the public library's service mission in key ALA documents responded, either directly or indirectly, to the critique that emerged from the Inquiry reports. The "official" reaction to that critique is then analyzed by looking at ideology in relationship to its component elements-a comprehensive pattern of beliefs, goals, and doctrine and a strategy or plan for action. Before describing the strategies that were adopted between 1950 and 1990, an attempt is made to trace how the "belief system" of public librarians was reaffirmed and refined without being significantly altered. The first section of the paper treats ideals, the second discusses strategies for change, and the third explores the new role that research came to play in the effort to improve, customize, and rationally extend public library services. Although the main focus of this essay is on an analysis of those statements and documents that attempted to define the ideology of the field, significant changes in service patterns, administrative structure, outreach, and research are also briefly presented.