Reimagining the Public Library: Key Debates and Future Approaches

John Pateman

Customers outside of North America (USA and Canada) should contact Facet Publishing for purchasing information.

ALA Member

$72.89

Price

$80.99

Item Number

978-1-78330-731-9

Published

2025

Publisher

Facet Publishing, UK

Pages

208

Width

Height

Format

Softcover

You don't need to be an ALA Member to purchase from the ALA Store, but you'll be asked to create an online account/profile during the checkout to proceed. This Web Account is for both Members and non-Members. Note that your ALA Member discount will be applied at the final step of the checkout process.

If you are Tax-Exempt, please verify that your account is currently set up as exempt before placing your order, as our new fulfillment center will need current documentation. Learn how to verify here.

More Ordering Information

Description
Table of Contents
About the author

This book captures the major debates that have taken place within the Library and Information Science profession over the past 25 years and suggests how these can be used to inform the future development of public libraries.

Using a 25-year framework and incorporating ideas that have emerged in European, North American and Australasian public libraries, Reimagining the Public Library 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, it will educate and support current LIS professionals as they negotiate issues such as digital inclusion, censorship, racism, and decolonization.

This essential read will appeal to public library staff and decision-makers as they navigate political, social, economic and cultural challenges with a view to safe-guarding the future of public libraries.

Introduction: Framework for the Future?

Chapter 1: The Soul of the Public Library - equity or excellence?

Chapter 2: Collection Development - books or baked beans?

Chapter 3: Open to All - social exclusion, inclusion or cohesion?

Chapter 4: Race and Class - the final frontiers?

Chapter 5: The War on Terror - policing or trust?

Chapter 6: The Vanguard Library - traditional, community led, or needs based?

Chapter 7: Lessons from Abroad - 'friends' or enemies of Cuban libraries?

Chapter 8: Equality, Happiness and Well Being - proxy performance measures?

Chapter 9: Back to the Future - come rain or shine?

John Pateman

John Pateman worked in public libraries for over forty years in a number of different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK: Hackney, a diverse inner London borough; Merton, a multicultural London suburb; and Lincolnshire, a large rural county. He was Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library. John was part of the UK Government Policy Group at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that produced Libraries for All: Social Inclusion in Public Libraries – policy guidance for Local Authorities in England, October 1999. He was part of the research team which produced Open to All? The Public Library and Social Exclusion (2000), which influenced the Working Together Project (2004-2008) in Canada. John is on the editorial board of Open Shelf, the Ontario Library Association online journal, and contributes a regular column, 'Open to All?' that explores barriers to library use and how to reduce or remove them. He is the Director of the Cuban Libraries Solidarity Campaign and received the National Culture Award from the Cuban government for his work in support of Cuban libraries. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.