Public Libraries, Public Policies, and Political Processes

 

Jaeger, Paul T., Ursula Gorham, John Carlo Bertot, and Lindsay C. Sarin. Public Libraries, Public Policies, and Political Processes: Serving and Transforming Communities in Times of Economic and Political Constraint. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

Description
The main message of this book is that there is a pressing need for public librarians and other supporters of public libraries to be:

• Aware of the political process and its implications for libraries;
• Attuned to the interrelationships between policy and politics; and
• Engaged in the policy process to articulate the need for policies that support public libraries. 

By offering data and real world examples, the authors present proposals for professional, policy-making, and political strategies that can strengthen the public library and its ability to meet the needs of individuals and communities.


Table of Contents
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