Preface -- Introduction -- 1 The role and purpose of the public library -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Defining the public library -- 1.3 The purposes of the public library -- 1.4 An agency for change -- 1.5 Freedom of information -- 1.6 Access for all -- 1.7 Local needs -- 1.8 Local culture -- 1.9 The cultural roots of the public library -- 1.10 Libraries without walls -- 1.11 Library buildings -- 1.12 Resources -- 2 The legal and financial framework -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 The public library and government -- 2.3 Public library legislation -- 2.4 Funding -- 2.5 The governance of the public library -- 2.6 The administration of the public library -- 2.7 Publicity and promotion -- 3 Meeting the needs of the users -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Identifying potential users -- 3.3 Analysing needs within the community -- 3.4 Services to users -- 3.5 Customer care -- 3.6 User education -- 3.7 Co-operation and resource sharing -- 3.8 Electronic networks -- 3.9 Access to services -- 3.10 Library buildings -- 4 Collection development -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Collection management policy -- 4.3 Range of resources -- 4.4 Collection development -- 4.5 Collection maintenance principles -- 4.6 Standards for book collections -- 4.7 Standards for electronic information facilities -- 4.8 Collection development programme for new libraries -- 4.9 Acquisition and discard rates -- 5 Human resources -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 The skills of library staff -- 5.3 Staff categories -- 5.4 Ethical standards -- 5.5 The duties of library staff -- 5.6 Staffing levels -- 5.7 Education of librarians -- 5.8 Training -- 5.9 Career development -- 5.10 Working conditions -- 5.11 Volunteers -- 6 The management and marketing of public libraries -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Management skills -- 6.3 Building and maintaining networks -- 6.4 Financial management.

6.5 Management of library resources -- 6.6 Staff management -- 6.7 Planning and development of library systems -- 6.8 The management of change -- 6.9 Delegation -- 6.10 Management tools -- 6.11 Marketing and promotion -- Appendices -- 1 The IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto -- 2 The Finnish Library Act 1998 -- 3 Library Service Customer Charter- Buckinghamshire County Library -- 4 Library Building Standards - Ontario, Canada and Barcelona, Spain -- Resource list -- Index.