ILS 561  Public Libraries

Course Description:  Organization, administration, and services of municipal, county, and regional libraries.Basic developments and trends are considered. The role of public libraries as educationalinstitutions is examined.

Course Objectives: 
  • Demonstrate their knowledge of the historical development of the public library and the objectives of the early public library as shaped by the social and political times, along with the various trends and issues confronting American public libraries today;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of public libraries; their roles, environments and the communities they serve; and how to assess the needs and requirements of the communities using community analysis techniques;
  • Demonstrate their ability to identify and understand the library's many publics: who uses the public library, how and why; changing patterns of use; characteristics of readers and non-readers, library users and non-users; aspects of community as presented by urban/metropolitan, suburban and rural populations; and the special cultural and nontraditional groups;
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the complexity of planning and establishing programs, collections, facilities and services for diverse cultural, socio-economic populations and be able to give examples of such programs/services;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of specific services of the public library to individuals and community groups through central libraries, branches and regional operations, as well as mobile and other extension agencies to various age groups, as well as be able to explain some of barriers to public library use and how these barriers may be addressed;
  • Demonstrate their knowledge of the governance, operations and management of public libraries, including their organizational culture and the role of state library agencies, the federal government, professional associations, trustees, and others in developing, maintaining and enforcing public library standards;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of public and private sources of funding, resource allocation and budgeting, and the political environment in which public libraries exist;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of technology in libraries and other factors affecting library services;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of current trends and issues in library services; and demonstrate their ability to remain current as professionals and life-long learners;
  • Demonstrate the ability to survey and analyze existing service standards for public libraries (including public library systems); Identify methods of and approaches to goal-setting for services and their evaluation.
     The presentation of case studies in ILS 561 required an understanding and application of each of the competencies governing administration and management.  Each weekly assignment presented realistic problems facing public library directors and required us to apply our knowledge of library founding principles to current issues.  These scenarios fostered an understanding of the value of the library as an institution whose mission is to provide fair and equitable access to public resources.  In light of this mission, we were forced to consider the issue of planning and budgeting (8A), and the need for collaboration with the community (8D) in several case studies.  The final exam presented three problematic scenarios and required me, in the role of library director, to respond with diplomatic and ethical policies based on library ethics and professionalism.  The scenarios involved the issues of censorship within the community (8D), evaluating library services (8C) and personnel attitudes (8B) leading me to a greater understanding of the role of appropriate and ethical management.