Administration of the Small Public Library

This revision of Dorothy Sinclair's book takes information that has proved valuable to thousands of librarians for more than a decade and moves it into the 1990s with a watchful eye on the next century. Retaining Sinclair's perspective on the importance of the small public library to its community, much has been added on the effective use of its funds, resources, and personnel. Weingand integrates principles of public library management with a marketing approach to library service. Libraries must identify community needs and design services and products that respond to those needs. The marketing emphasis is found throughout the text, influencing programmes, staffing, finances, and all aspects of library administration. The book explores the realities of staffing, vis-a-vis the economic constraints faced by small communities and the importance for staff continuing education is examined at length. The small public library must respond to timely opportunities and pressures while continually re-configuring services to communities in the midst of significant social and technological change.
For library administrators faced with this challenge, the solutions Weingand presents foster a sense of opportunity.