Introduction to Public Librarianship

Preface Public libraries in the United States of America are in their third century of service as the heart of communities throughout the nation. Our public libraries are our public sphere open to all who desire to use their services—both as cultural spaces and as virtual services. The literature of public librarianship is extensive, but it is also dispersed among many specializations such as management, information technology,youth services, and community planning. In truth, public librarianship incorporates all of these specializations, just as public librarians work to serve all people—all backgrounds, all ethnicities, all ages, all religions or no religion, all abilities, all economic means. This universality of mission and responsibilities presents a grand challenge. The public library of the twenty-first century is more complex than its nineteenth-century predecessor with multiple formats, mobile access, and the mandate to provide equity of access to all. The larger community is made stronger by a vibrant public library and the library remains a positive indicator of the quality of life in every community