Civic Librarianship

Ron McCabe is one of the few public library practitioners who is putting his thoughts about public librarianship into words for all to read. He has something to say -a lot to say-in this slim work from Scarecrow. McCabe draws a clear distinction between "The Libertarian Public Library" and "Civic Librarianship." This is a good book. Every public librarian and library trustee should read it and think about it and discuss it. It is well worth the price. Public Library Quarterly ...a reaffirmation of the author's perspective on the traditional mission of the public library-which is to serve as a pivotal social institution, a community center, and an essential component of the civil society...praiseworthy and relevant... Library Journal, 6/15/2001 Ronald McCabe skillfully diagnoses the malaise that grips the public library in his highly useful Civic Librarianship...it will doubtless take its place in library history. Libraries and Culture This book is an outstanding treatment of the library as a pivotal social institution, a community center, and an essential component of the civil society. Anyone concerned with the future of either libraries or our society will be sure to not miss studying this valuable text. -- Amitai Etzioni, author of The New Golden Rule Libraries equip citizens for civic participation and enable civil society. This important and essential role is illuminated in Ron McCabe's exciting new book on civic librarianship which provides us an historic and theoretical framework for understanding the ways in which libraries enhance citizen involvement in renewing and strengthening our communities... -- Nancy Kranich, President of the American Library Association This book will challenge your thinking about public libraries. It places public librarianship in a broader societal context. It calls for the renewal of the public library's traditional social mission as the foundation for library development in the new century. Ron McCabe has given us a thoughtful philosophical treatise on public libraries in America. I commend his work to you. -- Sarah Ann Long, Past President, American Library Association Libraries equip citizens for civic participation and enable civil society. This important and essential role is illuminated in Ron McCabe's exciting new book on civic librarianship which provides us an historic and theoretical framework for understanding the ways in which libraries enhance citizen involvement in renewing and strengthening our communities. -- Nancy Kranich, President of the American Library Association