The services that the library provides have increased in both quantity and quality over the last century. Much of the change has been brought about by organizational and legislative demands i.e. through the American Library Association, and through our governing entities. The Library Services and Technology Act was created in 1996 through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It main purpose is to bring about improvements to all types of libraries by bettering library services, increasing access to resources, and encouraging communication and sharing between libraries (Institute Of Museum And Library Services, n.d.). Much of this includes grants for various programs and services that specific libraries would like to offer their patrons.
It also requires collaboration, not only with other libraries, but with professional organizations and state legislature (Museum And Library Services, 2006). This act has resulted in bringing new technology and resources to many library patrons.
References:
Institute Of Museum And Library Services. (n.d.). Overview. Retrieved April 8, 2008, from http://www.imls.gov/about/about.shtm
Museum And Library Services (2006). Education: Museum and library services (20USC9121). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved April 9, 2008, from http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+20USC9121
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2 comments:
I'm going to have to check out that link. I really don't know much about legislation, so this is a helpful tool. Thanks!
Nice Post. Anecdotally, I have definitely noticed a change in the amount and types of service that libraries have offered during my lifetime. I think that libraries continue to offer opportunities to people that they do not otherwise have available to them. All of these efforts have played a significant role in shrinking the digital divide, educating the public, and enriching lives—regardless of the socio-economic levels of patrons.
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