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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.

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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Students under Violet Louise Coughlin

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None