Final on Political Climate

Another example of how the public library provides valuable services to the community is The Child Support Commission. This agency sends single parents to the library to access their website via public use computers to file the necessary paperwork for child support. This website asks the patron a series of questions and then generates the “Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit” based on the answers. And finally, a very recent development is the placement of computers in young adult areas of public libraries for parents and teenagers to access information on Georgia driving laws and restrictions for new drivers. These computers are called Joshua computers for the law that governs teenage licensing with the same name.

In conclusion the political climate for public libraries is based on many things. They are public opinion, elected officials, library directors and staff involvement in the community, tax revenue, population, and the library’s ability to adjust to the growing needs of its patrons. Those persons interviewed strongly suggested that library employees be involved in community activities, social and civic clubs and keep abreast of local politics.

Planning process

In my Public Library Administration class at UA we were divided into two groups and given a particular county and library system in Kentucky in which we were to gather the data necessary to begin mapping out a five year plan. Because it was just an exercise and the libraries were unaware of the assignment we could not contact them. We could only use census and county data and the library’s own website for our information. The exercise was fun but also frustrating because it is difficult if not impossible to do a S.W.O.T. analysis without input and feedback. What the exercise taught me is how important all those S.W.O.T. analysis meetings we did at GPLS as well as the team meetings. They are a vital part of the planning process. I am really enjoying this process.

Leslie