Linking New and Traditional Library Services

Abstract

In some of our larger cities, public libraries are beginning to take on, are being asked to take on, or are considering taking on the functions of the neighborhood information center. To that fact we owe this volume and the institute on which it is based. The role assigned to this writer is that of providing a context, of posing and of trying to throw light on the question: How indeed do neighborhood information center functions relate to our public libraries? This topic will be considered in two large segments, each of which can be stated as a question. The first question is the basic one: Is conducting a neighborhood information center the public library's job? The second is contingent: If libraries accept the job, how do they accommodate the new function onto existing libraries? IS THIS THE PUBLIC LIBRARY'S JOB? In looking at the first question, "Is this the public library's job?" and trying to arrive at some reasonable answer, one needs to know three things: (1) what the library's "normal " job is, (2) what is involved in the new task it is considering, and (3) how the second relates to the first. It is here that one runs into difficulty. There are many variations among public librarians ' responses when asked to describe their role in society. To some librarians reading this article, the entire inquiry will appear a sad waste of time. They will be impatient with what appears pedantic quibbling about roles. They might say: "Here is a job to do. It is important. A major need is not being adequately met. Let's get on with it! " However, the acceptance of the new task by most of each library's staff will be a necessary prerequisite to a successful operation. Surely such acceptance is not yet total. Since a moral imperative confers no obligation whatever on those who do not share the original commitment, it becomes necessary to turn to values and positions shared by all parties before agreement can be sought. In considering, then, whether this task of neighborhood information is

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