The guidebook presents historical, legal, and practical information on the role of the board of trustees in North Carolina public libraries. Six sections detail the following: (1) matters relating to the powers and duties of trustees and to the internal operations of the board; (2) the relationship between the board and the chief librarian as it…

Designed as a comprehensive reference manual for all California trustees, commissioners, regional council members, and system advisory board members interested in learning and understanding their professional public library roles, this manual provides a pro-active approach to library leadership. Following an introduction to and an overview of…

Discusses the impact of the lack of autonomous boards of trustees on Quebec's public libraries and the political factors that influence decision making about the libraries. Organizational structure, public support, and financial support are covered. The author concludes that municipal governments do not give public libraries enough status.…

Discusses the challenges of running a library in a political environment, and offers observations and strategies to aid in public library management. Areas discussed include governance, funding, personnel management, relationships with the press, working with elected officials, and negotiating strategies and skills. (CLB)

Describes a study that explored trends in the attention given by state coordinating agencies of higher education to academic libraries in terms of funding and statewide library cooperation. Factors related to the perceived success of state agency/library interactions are identified and a theory concerning such interactions is advanced. (Author/CLB)

Describes a survey of library development officers in state library agencies that was conducted to investigate the types of governance structures of public libraries. Highlights include consolidation of public library services, public library boards, trends in public library governance, financial support and managerial effectiveness, and…

Discusses areas of confusion concerning the role of public libraries that endanger the existence of public libraries. It is argued that the future of the public library depends on its responsiveness to the needs of the people that such libraries were created to serve, and suggestions for achieving this state are offered. (CLB)

In 1975 a study of the Ontario (Canada) public library system was undertaken in order to develop plans for organizing, financing, and coordinating public libraries in the next ten years. From published reports, interviews, letters, and examination of facilities and available data, information was collected on provincial and county library…