Public Libraries and Their Communities

Kay Ann Cassell is adjunct professor at the Rutgers University Department of Library and Information Science where she teaches a variety of courses including reference and information services, collection development and public libraries. She has worked in public and academic libraries. She has been the director of the Bethlehem (NY) Public Library, the director of the Huntington (NY) Public Library, the director of the New School for Social Research library and the associate director for collections and services at the New York Public Library. As NYPL’s associate director of collections and services she oversaw the development of reference services, collections, programs and services for all branches. She has also worked as a coordinator for public library services at the New Jersey State Library and the Westchester Library System. Kay Ann Cassell is the coauthor of Reference and Information Services, an Introduction and the author of Managing Reference Today.

Public Libraries and Their Communities offers a robust representation of the countless changing aspects of public libraries. Cassell provides a concise history of public libraries, the development of different services specific to the communities they serve, and the continued influence of public libraries in enhancing educational programs and life-long learning skills. It is a clearly written source that explores many of the components necessary for public libraries to operate efficiently. Areas examined include financial aspects and budgeting, staffing at all levels, services to designated age groups, collection development, and community involvement. A guide to understanding the meaning, organization, and resilience of public libraries, this book is for anyone interested in public librarianship, public librarians regardless of specialization (children, young adult, adult), clerical staff at branch libraries, and the services public libraries offer. Recommended. Graduate students, professionals, and general readers.

• Table of ContentsPrefaceChapter 1: Introduction and the History of U.S. Public LibrariesChapter 2: Strategic Planning and the Public LibraryChapter 3: Library Establishment, Policies, and GovernanceChapter 4: Organization and StaffingChapter 5: Advocacy, Relationships with External Groups, State and Local GovernmentChapter 6: Fiscal Organization of Public Libraries; Funding, Funding Sources and BudgetsChapter 7: Community and Civic Engagement; Outreach ServicesChapter 8: Services to Children and Young Adults by Lisa HoudeChapter 9: Services to Adults and Groups of AdultsChapter 10: Collections and Collection DevelopmentChapter 11: Marketing and PromotionChapter 12: The Post Pandemic Public Library