Barbarians at the Gates of the Public Library

"This short book delivers a sweeping philosophic, economic, and historical analysis of the trends converting the American public library into a free retail outlet, measured by the same bottom lines as the rest of our consumer society. It is a sobering, convincing, and frightening view of the ongoing corruption of the ideal upon which libraries were founded, and the parallel corruption of our democratic society by the same forces. From that awful day when our own Public Library Association decided to eschew national library standards in favor of local library objectives measured by circulation and the popularity of its entertaining wares, to the declaration by library leaders that the professional judgment of librarians could be reconceived as management decisions following consumerist computer models and statistical analyses, D'Angelo traces the decline of the public good ideal both in the larger society and as it applies to the mission of the postmodern public library. It is an urgent alert, compelling in its application of the available evidence and scholarship, and frightening in its revelation that we may be too late to correct the downward spiral." - John N. Berry, III "We live in dangerous times as a relentless war is being waged by market fundamentalists, political extremists, and religious zealots against all those public spheres guided by democratic values and ideals. Ed D'Angelo's book is a brilliant recounting of public memory and a spirited defense of one of the nation's most important public goods, the public library. Barbarians at the Gates of the Public Library is a riveting example of the language of critique and recovery, critical engagement and possibility. It is a must read for anyone who takes democracy seriously, is willing to fight for one of the country's most important democratic public spheres, and at the same time learn something about the history and importance of the democratic function of public libraries in America. Everyone should read this book." - Henry Giroux "In some libraries today, staff may be formally rebuked for failing to refer to patrons or users as "customers." Overdue fines are not levied to promote civic responsibility, but rather to generate revenue. Meeting rooms and auditoriums, especially at new main facilities, are sold or rented at rates that few community and nonprofit groups can afford. Whole departments or collections may be prominently named after corporate donors, thus providing non-stop advertising i

שנה

2006

שפה

English

הוצאה

Library Juice Press

מהדורות

1

עמודים

144

ISBN

9780977861712

מקור הנתונים: Wikidata