Notes the trend towards greater polit ical awareness among library man agers in public libraries, compared with the attitude of previous years, and the increasing role of the public library as part of a complicated local government framework. Discusses the influences at work within the council and the interplay of forces produced by: overall policies of cen tral government; public opinion; and media coverage. Concludes that a sys tem is needed which is large enough to provide the range of services that a modern society requires and that pro vides people with a sense of place and represents a commitment to col lective needs and values.
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