An idealist’s charter for public libraries

Abstract

If there is such a thing as the “public library movement”, where is it today and where is it going? Discusses the motive forces that shape its values and beliefs and how they differ from those of our predecessors, if at all. Examines whether there is a public library ideology which commands majority support on whether each public librarian needs to establish his/her own. Looks at modern political, economic and social systems and whether the traditional values of the free public library′s founding fathers are redundant or whether they will still be relevant in the millennium. Speculates on the shape and state of public libraries in 2002 and how some people will react.

Citation

Owen, D. (1995), "An idealist’s charter for public libraries", New Library World, Vol. 96 No. 3, pp. 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074809510085271