Libraries As Organizations: Mission v' Function

1
Libraries As Organizations Mission v. Function
LS 501 Introduction to Library
Information Studies
Summer 2003
C.2003, Deborah J. Grimes
2
Library Missions (or Types)

• Academic Libraries support the instruction,
  teaching, research, and service of the parent
  institution
• Public Libraries provide library services that
  meet the specific needs of its community
• School Libraries support the instructional
  needs of the specific school it serves
• Special Libraries provide library services to a
  specialized clientele, either for a specific
  organization (or business, etc.) or other
  specific clientele

3
Functions Common to All Libraries

• Administering the library
• Objectives, policies, organization, staff,
  facilities, budget, planning, evaluation,
  personnel issues, delegating, external
  relationships, fund-raising, equipment
  furnishings, maintenance, office/clerical
  assistance. PR, security
• Building the collection
• Selection, acquisitions, dealing with vendors,
  gifts and exchanges, accounting, corresponding
  with publishers and other vendors, getting input
  from users
• Making the collection accessible for use
• Classification and cataloging, processing,
  library systems, web pages
• Service to users
• Circulation, reference, BI, audiovisuals,
  computer labs

4
Classic Library Organization
PUBLIC SERVICES or TECHNICAL SERVICES ?

• Reference Government Documents
• Displays Special Collections
• Document Delivery Distance Learning
• Circulation Readers Advisory
• Interlibrary Loan Information Referral
• Stack Maintenance Story Hour
• Library Systems AV/Media
• Book and Other Repairs Computer Lab
• Cataloging Collection Development
• Bibliographic Instruction Branch Libraries
• Acquisitions
• Web Page

Whats What?
5
New Library Organization
ACCESS SERVICES or INFORMATION SERVICES
or SYSTEMS ?

• Reference Government Documents
• Displays Special Collections
• Document Delivery Distance Learning
• Circulation Readers Advisory
• Interlibrary Loan Information Referral
• Stack Maintenance Story Hour
• Library Systems AV/Media
• Book and Other Repairs Computer Lab
• Cataloging Collection Development
• Bibliographic Instruction Branch Libraries
• Acquisitions
• Web Page

Whats What?
6
Next Class Information Careers