Reimagining the Public Library

John Pateman

ISBN 10: 1783307323 / ISBN 13: 9781783307326

Published by Facet Publishing, GB, 2025

Reimagining the Public Library captures the major debates that have taken place within the Library and Information Science profession over the past 25 years, suggesting how these ideas can be used to inform the future development of public libraries around the world.Using a 25-year framework and incorporating ideas that have emerged in European, North American and Australasian public libraries, the book takes a historical and international look at the development of public libraries over this period, posing the important question of what has changed in government policy and action. Providing much-needed historical context to contemporary debates, this authoritative and vital book educates and supports current LIS professionals as they negotiate issues such as digital inclusion, social equality and equity, censorship, racism and decolonisation.This essential read will appeal to public library staff and decision-makers as they navigate political, social, technological, economic and cultural challenges with a view to safeguarding the future of public libraries. Seller Inventory # LU-9781783307326

Synopsis:

This book captures the major debates that have taken place within the Library and Information Science profession over the past 25 years and suggests how these can be used to inform the future development of public libraries.

Using a 25-year framework and incorporating ideas that have emerged in European, North American and Australasian public libraries, it takes a historical and international look at the development of public libraries over this period, posing the important question of what has changed in government policy and action. Providing much-needed historical context to contemporary debates, Reimagining the Public Library will educate and support current LIS professionals as they negotiate issues such as digital inclusion, censorship, racism and decolonisation.

This essential read will appeal to public library staff and decision-makers as they navigate political, social, economic and cultural challenges with a view to safeguarding the future of public libraries.

About the Author:

John Pateman worked in public libraries for 44 years in a number of different roles ranging from Library Assistant to Chief Librarian. He was Chief Librarian of three library systems in the UK: Hackney, a diverse inner London borough; Merton, a multicultural London suburb; and Lincolnshire, a large rural county. He was Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library. John was part of the UK Government Policy Group at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport that produced Libraries for All: Social Inclusion in Public Libraries – policy guidance for Local Authorities in England, October 1999. He was part of the research team which produced Open to All? The Public Library and Social Exclusion (2000), which influenced the Working Together Project (2004- 2008) in Canada. John is on the editorial board of Open Shelf, the Ontario Library Association online journal, and contributes a regular column, ‘Open to All?’ that explores barriers to library use and how to reduce or remove them. He is the Director of the Cuban Libraries Solidarity Campaign and received the National Culture Award from the Cuban government for his work in support of Cuban libraries. John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and a founding member and editorial collective member of Information for Social Change.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Reimagining the Public Library
Publisher: Facet Publishing, GB
Publication Date: 2025
Binding: Hardback
Condition: New