Small Libraries

A Handbook for Successful Management, 2d ed.

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SKU: 9780786412389 Category:

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)

Sally Gardner Reed, executive director of United for Libraries, lives in the greater Philadelphia area.

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.