HAVERHILL LIBRARIES AND THE LAW

Library Guidance Literature

To explore the possibilities for better library service and develop ideas suitable to the community might do well to also read relevant library science literature, although they will not find in it a neat set of rules that does not require an expert to apply. Some materials and ideas that may be of particular interest include state library law For example, state law requires that the town meeting elect trustees, that trustees expend all the money that the town appropriates for library purposes (and not pass it on to other libraries). Citizens should also read the "State Library Optional Standards". These standards call for the library to provide continuing education of trustees and library director, to assign one person with a degree in library science to provide reference service, do long range planning, develop and implement written policy.

The library should know about the Public Library Association's 13 "Service Responses" and other literature published by library associations and experts. The 13 service responses relate to five principal topics such as those related to the public sphere, cultural heritage, education, information, and service for all.

The libraries and community should study statistics that the state library has reported that facilitate comparisons in such matters as number of visits, loans, books in the collection, and per capita revenues.

Citizens of a town and library evaluators may look at a wide variety of factors to measure the adequacy of library performance or plans. Library experts or citizens might add other factors, including the percentage of population served, the character of the collection, the use of interlibrary programs, availability of computers for accessing information, adaptability and willingness to adopt new ideas, effectiveness of management, cost effectiveness such as per capita costs of loans, visits, books, space, etc. Effectiveness of trustee control and librarian performance. Installation of devices for evaluating library services, citizen knowledge of the library and satisfaction with service, library appearance, trustee qualifications and attitudes.