The American public library during the Great Depression

Seavey, Charles A.

doi:10.1108/00242530310493789

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Indeed, there is a link between the increasing public library usage and economic crisis: more people are turning to libraries for vital information on job opportunities, training, literacy programs, computer skills development, etc. taking advantage of the free resources available (ALA, 2002(ALA, , 2007(ALA, , 2008aSeavey, 2003;Sheffer, 2008;Goulding, 2009;Mostad-Jensen, 2009). Modern technology equipment, professionally trained personnel, ergonomically designed premises as well as a comfortable and friendly environment, constitute the key elements which ensure high-quality services, ready to meet any expectations that the user has, since they are now given the ability to actively participate in the multidimensional activity of acquiring knowledge (Brophy, 2008;Kostagiolas and Kitsiou, 2008).…”

Section: Quality Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

A library management response model against the economic crisis

2011

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Purpose -Libraries in Greece are mostly financed by public sources, with private funding covering only a very small proportion of their budget. The deteriorating, slowly growing economic environment in Greece places additional pressure on the already understaffed and underfinanced public libraries. This paper aims at demonstrating that the tough economic conditions may provide a setting for innovation and quality enhancement which may lead in turn to a corresponding growth in the library sector. Design/methodology/approach -A qualitative analysis is conducted in order to identify the potential of a novel management response model as a pathway for library survival within the fierce economic crisis. Findings -Specific suggestions are made for the management of public libraries, future policies and trends in the lines of learning/education/training services; social/economic development services; electronic government and citizen participation in public affairs services; cultural identity and social cohesion services; and social inclusion services. Practical/implications -It is ascertained that public libraries in Greece may have an opportunity for change and innovation as a result of the current economic situation. Furthermore, it is believed that active involvement, quality, innovation and self-finance can serve as important tools for the development of public libraries and their positive contribution and productive role into the Greek socioeconomic environment. Originality/value -This is the only available work providing an overall management approach for public libraries within a current economic crisis such as the one in Greece.

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Section: Quality Culturementioning

confidence: 99%

A library management response model against the economic crisis

2011

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“…Unfortunately, the data collected does not allow us to determine whether the increased demand for youth services librarians has outstripped the demand for adult services librarians. The number of public library systems increased from 7,026 in 1970 to 9,046 in 2000 (Seavey 2003, Chute et al 2002. Public libraries employed only 20,523 ALA-MLS librarians in 1989, but that figure rose to 29,400 in 2000 (Podolsky 1991, Chute et al 2002.…”

Section: Duties Of Youth Services Librariansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Public Library Youth Services: A Content Analysis of Youth Services Job Advertisements

Adkins

2004

Public Library Quarterly

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ABSTRACT. This article investigates requirements and responsibilities for public library youth services librarians. Position advertisements were published in American Libraries in five-year increments, from 1971 to 2001. Youth services librarian positions were analyzed as to changes in position titles, education requirements, job responsibilities, and personality characteristics.Findings suggest that the number of advertised youth services positions is increasing, and job titles are changing from the specific "children's services" to the more generalized "youth services." Advertised responsibilities of the youth services librarian have consistently emphasized collection management and administrative duties, and many advertisements place a heavy emphasis on personality traits. ABSTRACT. This article investigates requirements and responsibilities for public library youth services librarians. Position advertisements were published in American Libraries in five-year increments, from 1971 to 2001. Youth services librarian positions were analyzed as to changes in position titles, education requirements, job responsibilities, and personality characteristics. Findings suggest that the number of advertised youth services positions is increasing, and job titles are changing from the specific "children's services" to the more generalized "youth services." Advertised responsibilities of the youth services librarian have consistently emphasized collection management and administrative duties, and recent advertisements place a heavy emphasis on personality traits. KEYWORDS.

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“…Charles Seavey argues that many local authorities were willing to establish libraries even during the darkest days of the Depression, suggesting something of their importance to the local community. 7 Martha Swain has examined the national effect on libraries of federal relief aid 8 and Michael Blayney has looked at the underlying philosophical aims of the New Deal administration and the library world in bringing 'cultural democracy' to the people of the United States. 9 All of these authors consider librarians to have been active in shaping the destiny of their institutions and they also tell the story of how the federal government came to the rescue of the public library.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ALA, public libraries and the Great Depression

Luyt¹

2007

Library History

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During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the American Library Association (ALA) became active in an alliance of public administrators, bank executives and teachers defending public spending from powerful populist anti-tax coalitions seeking drastic tax cuts as a solution to economic stagnation. Librarians were encouraged by the ALA to join the fight for 'constructive economy' that would reform and strengthen the role of public institutions. On the surface, this appears to be another example of the cyclical calls for library action that Michael Harris identified as characteristic of the profession's history. But in this case, the threat was real and the campaign produced significant long-term change. Librarians and their institutions became part of a much broader set of social forces that served to re-establish the hegemony of the American state at a time when it was particularly vulnerable to attack. In fact, the ALA's calls for 'constructive economy' foreshadowed and made possible the post-war Fordist compromise between monopoly capital, the state and organized labour. This article examines the role the ALA hoped libraries would play in the campaign against the anti-taxation groups and, using the work of social theorists Antonio Gramsci and Nicos Poulantzas, situates these efforts within the wider political economy of the time.

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The American public library during the Great Depression

Cited by 11 publications

References 1 publication

A library management response model against the economic crisis

A library management response model against the economic crisis

Changes in Public Library Youth Services: A Content Analysis of Youth Services Job Advertisements

The ALA, public libraries and the Great Depression

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