LOCAL-POLITICS AND THE PUBLIC-LIBRARY SERVICE

Notes the trend towards greater political awareness among library managers in public libraries, compared with the attitude of previous years, and the increasing role of the public library as part of a complicated local government framework. Discusses the influences at work within the council and the interplay of forces produced by: overall policies of central government; public opinion; and media coverage. Concludes that a system is needed which is large enough to provide the range of services that a modem society requires and that provides people with a sense of place and represents a commitment to collective needs and values.