Usherwood, Robert Charles (1992) The elected member and the public library. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.
Abstract
This study reflects the perceptions of elected members responsible for public library services. It presents their views on the mission, management and organization of public libraries, and examines the factors that can influence their attitudes and behaviour. Education, recreation and information are perceived to be important aspects of the public library’s work. Members inform themselves on library matters by using the service and by seeking the opinions of constituents and library officers. Most respondents possessed a reasonable knowledge of the aims and scope of the service and were supportive of it, although many doubted if most elected members held the library service in high regard. Respondents expected the Chief Librarian to possess both managerial and professional skills. He or she is perceived to have specialist knowledge and can be a major influence on their decisions. Members saw it as their own role to decide and direct policy in line with political priorities, and to act as a conduit for complaints. The committee Chairperson is expected to be a spokesperson for, and an advocate of, the service. Few respondents saw an unambiguous dividing line between the role of elected members and that of library officers. While most members did not want to be involved in the day-to-day running of the service there were exceptions to this general rule particularly with regard to stock selection and displays. The library committee is not regarded as the most Important of members' commitments and is perceived to be less political than most other council committees. There is little support for the idea of 'political appointments' to the library service. Political allegiances do however produce differences when it comes to elected members' views on funding, the use of volunteers, contracting out and the provision of a 'premium service'.
Metadata
Keywords: | Local government |
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Awarding institution: | University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Identification Number/EthosID: | uk.bl.ethos.294157 |
Depositing User: | EThOS Import Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 12 Oct 2023 11:46 |
Last Modified: | 12 Oct 2023 11:46 |
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