Dubbed "a peerless ambassador for public libraries, educating future professionals, current professionals in other parts of the field, and anyone else interested about the irreplaceable and irrepressible entities that are public libraries” (Library Quarterly), the newest edition of this trusted resource has been reimagined and restructured to make it even more relevant and useful. The definitive handbook on this branch of the profession, it covers every aspect of the public library, from its earliest history through its current incarnation on the cutting edge of the information environment, including a summary of current and historical issues in public libraries; a new chapter on financing which covers traditional sources, creative funding, capital campaigns, special projects, and the pros and cons of public/private partnerships; statistics, standards, planning, evaluations, and results; legal issues and politics, including how different states are set up, the role of state libraries, defining service population, and when the law and values conflict (such as union/non-union scenarios); updated coverage of important advocacy issues, including advocacy for access, the legal limits of advocacy, involving the community in advocacy, and communicating the effectiveness of the public library to stakeholders; organization, administration, and staffing, from the differences between small libraries and large systems to current issues like non-MLIS library workers and unionization; learning about who public libraries serve by utilizing community analysis, community needs assessments, and diversity considerations; adult services, youth services, children's services, and serving special populations such as older adults, adults with special needs, schools, daycares, and the incarcerated; library technology, from structure and infrastructure to websites and makerspaces; issues related to library buildings and master plans, such as gathering community input and working with an architect on library spaces and library services outside of the library; library associations, state library agencies, and other professional organizations; disaster planning and recovery from technological, ecological, and biological disasters; and global perspectives on public libraries.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures and Tables Foreword, by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook Chapter 1. The American Public Library: Where Are We Now? by Jenny S. Bossaller and Denice Adkins The Democratic Promise of Public Libraries Roundup of Trends Conclusion Note References Chapter 2. Public Library Development: Early Colonial Times to the 1960s by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook and Jenny S. Bossaller Public Libraries: The Beginnings The Interwar Period to the Public Library Inquiry After World War II Conclusion References Chapter 3. Public Libraries: 1960s to Present by Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook and Jenny Bossaller Civil Rights and Public Libraries Federal Funding: LSA to LSCA to LSTA Transforming the Philosophy of Public Librarianship Public Libraries in the Twenty-First Century: Core Values and Trends Conclusion Note References Chapter 4. Our Communities by Denice Adkins Working with Your Community Analyzing Your Community’s Needs Collecting Community Data Collecting Data on Smaller Subsets of the Community Outreach Community Partnerships Conclusion References Chapter 5. Political and Legal Aspects of Public Libraries by Jenny S. Bossaller IMLS and State Libraries Library Governance Library Service Area Americans with Disabilities Act Problems and Issues Conclusion References Chapter 6. Financing Public Libraries by A. J. Million and Jenny S. Bossaller Snapshot: Library Income and Expenses Trends in Funding and Expenses Funding Sources Conclusion References Chapter 7. The Public Library Staff by Denice Adkins How Libraries Are Organized The Board of Trustees The Library Director Library Workers Volunteers Conclusion References Chapter 8. Space and Place: Public Library Buildings by Lori Everett Communities Build Libraries, and Libraries Build Communities The Library as the Service Center of the Community The Library as a Community Center The Library as a Resource for Digital Technology The Library as Outdoor Space The Library as an Integral Part of a Resilient Community Building for the Future Planning for the Infrastructure Interior Design Conclusion References Chapter 9. Services for Adults by Vanessa Irvin and Bharat Mehra Readers’ Services Library Programming Library Services for Older Adults Adults with Special Needs Health and Wellness Services Local History and Genealogy Conclusion References Chapter 10. Services for Youth by Alicia K. Long History of Youth Services in Public Libraries Youth Services Professionals, Patrons, and Their Caregivers Services, Resources, and Programs Present and Future Lessons in Youth Services in Public Libraries Conclusion References Chapter 11. Advocacy Local Advocacy: A Key Driver of Library Funding by Patrick Sweeney The Political and Cultural Context How Libraries Build Political Capital at the Local Level Audience Engagement Start Work Before the Crisis Note References ALA: National Collective Advocacy for Libraries by Larra Clark and Amelia Bryne Advocacy Is a Long Game Have an Agenda Relationships Matter Note References Conclusion Chapter 12. Collaboration and Consortia by Jenny S. Bossaller Cooperation Enabled by Technology Community Partnership and Outreach Conclusion References Chapter 13. Measuring the Effectiveness of the Public Library by Denice Adkins and A.J. Million The History of Measuring Libraries Library Data Collection Instruments Awards, Recognition, and Local Standards Communicating Library Effectiveness with Stakeholders Conclusion References Chapter 14. Disaster-Ready Libraries: How Public Libraries Are Equipped to Serve Their Communities in Times of Crisis by Beth Patin and Ruth Xing Defining Crisis Understanding Disasters and Resilience: Types, Scale, and Scope Before COVID: Libraries Responding to Crises The Pandemic and Postpandemic Shifts in Library Preparedness Library Disaster Plans Conclusion Notes References Chapter 15. Global Perspectives on Public Libraries by Clara M. Chu, with contributions from Barbara J. Ford, Kodjo Atiso, Kathleen de la PeÑa McCook, Lin Wang, Alicia K. Long, Tatjana Aparac-JelÚsic, and Loida Garcia-Febo Public Libraries around the World: Histories and Vignettes The Public Library Manifesto and International Statistics IFLA: A Global Voice for Public Libraries Public Libraries and Sustainable Development Public Libraries Sharing Expertise and Working Abroad User Services, Collection Development, and Intellectual Freedom Governance and Funding International Library Development Initiatives Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Public Libraries Worldwide References About the Authors and Contributors Index