Small Libraries
A Handbook for Successful Management, 2d ed.
$49.95
In stock
About the Book
This fully revised and updated edition provides current information on automation and technology and on advocacy to help small public libraries strive to make available the same basic services as larger libraries. This book is written for the directors of these honest-to-goodness small libraries, providing both a philosophical as well as a common sense basis for decision making. Appendices provide sample documents for a library’s Statement of Purpose, worksheets for job descriptions and personnel policies, a volunteer application form, ALA documents (Library Bill of Rights and Code of Ethics), a list of discount book dealers, and a sample meeting room policy.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Sally Gardner Reed
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 178
Bibliographic Info: worksheets, appendices, annotated bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2002
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1238-9
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8411-9
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
CREATING A POLITICAL BASE 7
Trustees as Advocates 9
You Gotta Have Friends 12
Establishing Clout with the Town Government 15
Financial Support 17
Year-Round Advocacy 20
Co-Opting Community Support 24
PERSONNEL 25
Hiring 26
Personnel Policies 31
Continuing Education 32
Staff Evaluation 34
The Problem Employee 37
Volunteers 41
THE LIBRARY’S COLLECTION 49
Selection Policies 49
Audiovisual Materials 50
Complementing Other Community Resources 52
Collection Development and Your Community 53
Your Library and Intellectual Freedom 56
Gifts 61
Stretching the Materials Budget 62
Weeding the Collection 66
Beyond the Library Walls 69
Interlibrary Loan 69
Online Resources 70
HE LIBRARY BUILDING 73
A Fresh Look-The Aesthetics 75
The Exterior 75
The Interior 78
Moving Walls, Raising Ceilings 82
Time to Build 87
Funding or Architect—Which Comes First? 92
Finding Funds 93
Selecting the Architect and the Contractor 96
Construction 98
Documenting for Posterity 99
Celebrating 100
SERVICE 101
Why Are We Here Anyway? 102
Planning 103
Putting It All Together 108
Patron Satisfaction 117
Quality of Service: The Intangibles 119
Reference Service 121
Children’s Services 123
Programs 126
You’ve Got It, Now Promote It! 128
Free Versus Fee 130
Outreach 132
Appendix A: Friends of the Library “Statement of Purpose” (Sample) 141
Appendix B: Orientation Checklist 142
Appendix C: Job Description Worksheet 143
Appendix D: Personnel Policy Worksheet 145
Appendix E: Sample Volunteer Job Description—Library Materials Processor 147
Appendix F: Volunteer Application Form 148
Appendix G: Library Bill of Rights 150
Appendix H: American Library Association Code of Ethics 151
Appendix I: Yourtown Public Library Internet Use Policy 153
Appendix J: Request for Reconsideration of Library Material 155
Appendix K: Gift Acknowledgment/Receipt (Sample)< 156
Appendix L: Meeting Room Policy (Sample) 157
Appendix M: Building Program-Facility Checklist (Sample) 159
Annotated Bibliography 161
Index 169
Book Reviews & Awards
“a gem”—Booklist; “direct and casual style inspires confidence…outstanding”—Library Journal; “an indispensable, invaluable, ‘user friendly’ reference”—Midwest Book Review; “one of the best…covers all the bases…wonderful”—Wilson Library Bulletin.
