Customer Reviews

Civic Librarianship: Renewing the Social Mission of the Public Library

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The author brings up some good points regarding communitarianism, but McCabe simply doesn't see middle ground of libraries having civic value while not forcing people to adhere to librarian's vision of what is good for them. He doesn't understand art or unschooling or questioning authority or non-heirarchical structures of social or institutional interactions. His repeated insistence that expressive individualism is "antisocial and antieducational" (p.96) means that he makes dichotomous ideas that needn't be: what people want from libraries can also be what they need, IF one is capable of trusting the public. In ch. 6 it becomes clear that McCabe can only see libraries through the lens of public education and that his concern is more for education than for libraries--he does not conceptualize libraries as superior institutions because of the lack of mediated reality and pedagogical coercion that public schools entail. His constant assertion that librarians should have social authority over their constituents is paternalistic and simplistic, and misses the point of communitarianism: that we're all in this together.

McCabe has re-worded the old term, public librarianship, giving a new approach to look at the entire act, action, and acting that takes place in public (or civic) domain.

Contents include, The Community Movement, The Libertarian Public Library, Renewing the Educational Mission, A Center of the Community, Restoring Democratic Social Authority, etc.

This goes to indicate the book is reminding the profession that it can survive as long as it is amidst the community. By implication, if it is diconnected from the community, then its days are counted.

The closing para in the book tells the most important thing:
"The mission of the public library is the greatest purpose in a democracy, the mission of public education. It is time for library leaders to once again embrace this mission and to make full use of the many strengths of this great institution. A new century has begun and the best days for America and America's public libraries are ahead."

This should be required reading for all librarians, especially public librarians, now that our funding is getting cut left and right. And it is no wonder since we have shot ourselves (and our profession) in the foot, as McCabe describes. If we expect to be treated like professionals, receive professional salaries and professional respect, then it would be wise for us to present ourselves as professionals. In order to do this, we need to analyse the trends and understand the philosophies behind actions and reactions. Denial will not improve our lot, awareness might. In the past and present, we have asked to be disrespected and we have gotten it.

Now, read his book and find out how to get out of your abusive relationship with librarianship.

McCabe's analysis of the social movements of the last 100 years or so that appears in the first part of the book is worth the read even if you are not a librarian. Although the book seems a little expensive, $40 is a bargain considering how much you paid for your college courses. This is worth four credit hours.