Reimagining the public library : key debates and future approaches / John Pateman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pateman, John, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public libraries.

Public libraries--Government policy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxxi, 141 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

London : Facet, 2025.

Summary:

<i>Reimagining the Public Library</i> captures the major debates that have taken place within the Library and Information Science profession over the past twenty-five years, suggesting how these ideas can be used to inform the future development of public libraries around the world.<br><br>Using a 25-year framework and incorporating ideas that have emerged in European, North American and Australasian public libraries, the book takes a historical and international look at the development of public libraries over this period, posing the important question of what has changed in government policy and action. Providing much-needed historical context to contemporary debates, this authoritative and vital book educates and supports current LIS professionals as they negotiate issues such as digital inclusion, social equality and equity, censorship, racism and decolonisation.

Contents:

Introduction: Framework for the Future?

Why you should read this book

Literature review

Books and learning

Digital inclusion

Social exclusion

Back to the future

About the chapters

Chapter 1 The Soul of the Public Library: Equity or Excellence?

Introduction

Ignorance is not our heritage

Excellence is for everyone

Equity, not excellence

Value popular culture

The SINTO debate

Public libraries and social justice

Chapter 2 Collection Development: Books or Baked Beans?

Library dispersals

Giving libraries back to the people

An axe to the roots of our national culture

'Classics Swept off Library Shelves by Pulp Fiction'

We might as well hand over the keys

Chapter 3 Open to All: Social Exclusion, Inclusion or Cohesion?

New Labour

The Social Exclusion Unit

Social inclusion

Transforming public libraries

Superficially open to all

Community cohesion

Best practice for community cohesion

Social cohesion

Chapter 4 Race and Class: The Final Frontiers?

Social exclusion and social class

What is class?

The public library and social class

Library use and social class

Social class and the Library Association

The problem

The solution

Black Workers Group

Chapter 5 The 'War on Terror': Policing or Trust?

'Hey, Minister - leave those books alone'

Privacy

Libraries and liberty

What is to be done?

Chapter 6 The Vanguard Library: Traditional, Community Led or Needs Based?

Dialectical and historical materialism.

New wine in old bottles: the traditional public library

The community-led library: removing the barriers

News from nowhere: the needs-based library

Strategy, structures, systems and culture

Chapter 7 Lessons from Abroad: 'Friends' or Enemies of Cuban Libraries?

Cuban libraries

The 'Independent Libraries' project

Who is behind the 'Independent Libraries' project?

With 'friends' like these

What are we to make of the 'Independent Libraries' project?

Chapter 8 Equality, Happiness and Well-being: Proxy Performance Measures?

Libraries' Holy Grail

Equality measures and public libraries

Impact of reading on health and well-being

Economic and social impacts

Willingness to pay and benefits of library activities

Chapter 9 Back to the Future: Come Rain or Shine?

Late fees as social penalty

Systemic racism in the library

'Public library': an inherently problematic concept

Needs-based public libraries

The new model public library.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 22 Aug 2025).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

178330734X

9781783307340

1783307331