Public Libraries And Social Justice

The article discusses the importance of public libraries addressing social exclusion and promoting social justice, especially in light of the growing wealth gap and the uncertain future of public libraries. The authors argue that in order for public libraries to remain relevant and serve their communities, they must shift their focus from traditional ideas of excellence to a more equitable approach. The book also explores the history of social exclusion and government policies, and offers a plan for transforming public libraries into services that meet the needs of their communities.

The need for public libraries to tackle social exclusion and engage in social justice becomes ever more urgent as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, and the very survival of public libraries in the heart of the community is open to debate. If public libraries are to develop and grow in the future and become relevant to the majority of their local communities, then they need to abandon outmoded concepts of 'excellence' and fully grasp the 'equity' agenda. This book examines the historical background to social exclusion and the strategic context in terms of government and professional policy. The authors propose a compelling manifesto for change and outline practical ways in which public libraries can be transformed into needs-based services.