Dissertation Information for Violet Louise Coughlin NAME: - Violet Louise Coughlin
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1966)
ADVISORS: - Winifred B. Linderman
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - Alice Bryan - John M. Cory - Ray L. Trautman - Maurice Tauber
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGER UNITS OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE IN CANADA, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PROVINCES OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA AND NEW BRUNSWICK
Abstract: Library service to people in rural areas is a major concern of librarians in canada
where a small population is ditributed over a vast area. Assuming that citizens in
rural areas have a right to the same standard of library service as those in urban
areas and that the most effective means of providing such service is by larger
units of service, this research has sought to examine the factors influential in
establishing regional libraries. It is based on the hypothesis that these factors
are: lay interest, professional leadership, satisfactory provincial legislation,
provinicial interest in implementing legislation, and local government commitment
and support.
Since some knowledge of geography, history, and social consitions is necessary to
an understanding of existing library conditions, this background has been traced.
As social libraries, mechanics' institutes, school districts and travelling
libraries were forerunners of free tax-supported public libraries and provision for
their management and support often introducecd elements later incorporated into
legislation for public libraries, it was necessary to examine the evolution
oflibrary service in Canada.
This survey showed a growing sense of responsibility of provincial governments for
the development of larger library units. Local governments, especially in rural
areas, have been less ready to accept responsibility.
Against this background an intensive study was made of the library systems of
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. These provinces were selected
because they form a compact area accessible for investigation, they have a common
history and similar economic problems, and all three are largely rural in their
populations. Prince Edward Island, first of the three to develop a library service,
has a province wide system. Nova Scotia is now well advanced towards complete
coverage by regional library development and has the problem of providing service
to a population which is forty per cent French-speaking.
For the study the statutes of each province, annual reports of Departments of
Education, contemporary newspapers, and the files of provincial and regional
libraries and of the Carnegie Corporation of New York were examined. Interviews
with librarians, government officials, library board members, and others, conducted during two field trips, supplemented the material available in printed and written sources. Tha study confirms that no effactive larger unit has been formed without the presence of the factors set forth in the hypthesis. In Prince Edward Island, where most of the factors are lacking, the library system
is an inadequately-supportad provincial service. In the areas of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick where the factors are present, regional libraries have been formed; in parts where one or more of the factors are lacking, regional libreries heve not been established.
While nothing was found to refute the hypothesis that the establishment of effective larger units in rural areas is largely. determined by the presence of the factors named, evidence was found that other elements such as economic conditions, population density, and education have an influence on the presence or absence of the factors undar consideration, especially those of lay interest and local government commitment and support.
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MPACT Scores for Violet Louise Coughlin A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:35
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