Library Programs and Services: The Fundamentals (Library and Information Science Text Series)

About this book

Covering every essential topic ranging from circulation and literacy instruction to reference and security this benchmark text provides an up-to-date broadly based view of library public service and its functions. Supplying essential foundational reading for students of library public services as well as an up-to-date overview for practitioners who wish to refresh their knowledge or acquaint themselves with a new area of responsibility this books broad and solid coverage will benefit anyone concerned with developing or maintaining the public face of the library. A revision and expansion of Libraries Unlimiteds Introduction to Library Public Services: Seventh Edition this edition has new chapters covering such topics as e-resources collections print and other media and facilities and funding. Additionally every chapter has been substantially updated and reorganized to better reflect the role of technology in library services today. The book begins with background information on public services in libraries and an analysis of the librarys public service philosophy. Then the authors delve into staffing and assessment of services moving logically to major functional areas of public servicesreference instruction document delivery circulation and reserves collections programming safety and security issues and facilities and funding. Real-life anecdotes from public academic and school libraries illustrate principles and concepts throughout the book. For each topic the authors detail its role and philosophy and offer key points to remember references and lists for further reading.