Thinking about all that a public library has to offer, and how that has changed over the past century, is mind-boggling. Public libraries have grown exponentially from their inception, in terms of the services provided, how they are provided, and who can access them. The notion that we have access to all of this without cost (we pay taxes of course), is the reason why I chose this topic in the first place.
Some of the issues that I would like to delve into on this blog are:
What services are provided?
How far should a library go in marketing the services that it provides?
Is there anyone that cannot access materials at the library?
Are there limits of boundaries to what libraries should provide?
What services are not currently available at libraries that should be there?
What are the people's needs, and are they being fulfilled?
What role do culture and society play on the library?
How do libraries and the services offered differ across the country?
I look forward to your feedback and hearing your thoughts. Check out this link to find interesting information on libraries and related statistics http://www.lrs.org/
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2 comments:
I agree that libraries are the best bargain in town. Unfortunately, I don't feel enough people take advantage of them. Young people would prefer to go to the bookstore. They can browse for hours, drink coffee etc... and it is considered "trendy." I feel libraries need to do more marketing to enhance their image.
Thanks for your comments. I agree that libraries need to do more to enhance their image, and I think that a large part of that would include updating and remodeling library spaces so that they are appealing to the senses. I like the idea of a warm cozy space when reading, many libraries cannot provide that. Many need paint jobs, repairs, and other modifications to be brought into the 21st century. That results (like most everything else in life) in increased funding. With the current state of our economy, I doubt that increased library funding for purposes such as these will be a top priority. I intend to discuss marketing of library services further in future blog entries.
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