Administration of the Public Library - Softcover

Gertzog, Alice; Beckerman, Edwin P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810847566 ISBN 13: 9780810847569

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 2003

Synopsis

Now available in paperback! The Administrative of the Public Library is a comprehensive approach to contemporary public library concerns. It combines theory and practical advice as it addresses in a simple, logical, clear, and jargon-free fashion public library policies, procedures, resources, and human relations.

Based on the premise that library administration entails not only familiarity with management principles, but intimate knowledge of the products and processes for which it is responsible, the book covers input functions-collection development, technology, technical services; public services-outreach information, circulation, youth, readers; as well as important traditional management topics-staff, directors, finance, buildings, and public relations. All of these are developed within a system, political, historical, and social context.

The text uses as its model Guy R. Lyle's Administration of the College Library and is designed for students and practicing librarians alike.

About this title

About the Author:

Alice Gertzog (AB, Antioch College; MLS, Catholic University; PhD, Rutgers University) has been a public, academic, and special librarian, as well as a library consultant, educator, and author of books relating to library management. As a public librarian she worked at the Brookline Public Library and New Haven Free Public Library, and served as the Director of the Meadville (PA) Public Library and Administrator of the Crawford County (PA) Public Library System. She has taught at Rutgers University School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Allegheny College.

Edwin Beckerman (AB, University of Missouri; MLS, Columbia University) has been a public librarian, library consultant, educator, and contributor to books and periodicals in the library field. As a public librarian, he has worked in The New York Public Library, served as Director of the Woodbridge (NJ) Public Library, Assistant Director of the Yonkers (NY) Public Library, Public Library Consultant for the New York State Library, and as a Branch Librarian in the Leicester City Public Library (Leicester, England) as a participant in the Department of State Exchange of Persons Program. As a consultant, he is the author of over one hundred consulting reports on library organization, management, and library building issue. He has taught courses in library management and planning at Rutgers University School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies.

Review:

This indexed, 581-page book will be useful to library school students as well as practitioners. (American Libraries)

...will greatly assist directors and administrators...easy to understand language, avoiding technical jargon and unexplained acronyms...extremely beneficial...thought-provoking...Well written, conveniently organized, and unbiased...could easily become a classic reference tool for public library directors and administrators. The information is timely and pertinent to their duties. Intended not only for use by those in charge of public libraries, but as a text for students as well, many schools of library instruction would be advised to use it as a text for management courses. (Lisr)

Library science students and public library administrators alike will profit from this comprehensive introduction....Expect future editions of this eminently readable, yet well-documented text. (Library Journal)

...a solid effort...a basic text in library schools....useful insights on the lessons to be learned. (Wilson Library Journal)

...cover[s] all aspects of public librarianship in a good handbook and reference for any library director, trustee, or librarian....reader friendly, with plenty of practical advice and suggestions throughout. (Booklist)

...a contextual approach to library administration―which is the book's strength. (The Library Quarterly)

...worthwhile to add to collections on public library management, whether for library schools or for public library managers. (Library Association Record)

Recommended for graduate schools of library science and larger public library collections. (Public Library Quarterly)

...the practical advice given by the authors is jargon-free and addresses in a simple, logical and clear fashion the issues which face public libraries...In essence, this work helps us to understand our own past and, in doing so, contributes to a clear realization of our own circumstances in the community that is librarianship. (Library Review)

The chapters cover broad subject areas, and the supplemental readings provide an entree into library literature. (Information & Culture)

About this edition

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0810847566
• ISBN 13: 9780810847569
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 600