ABSTRACT

This study examines public municipal libraries and public library districts at the local government level in the U.S. and specifically Illinois, the state with the most units of local government and public library districts in the country. This study contributes to the study of public libraries by providing a comparison between district and municipal libraries. Based on a national survey of public libraries and interviews with public library staff, we found that, on average, special district libraries received more financial input, provided more programs and services, and generated higher service output than their municipal counterparts. However, the differences between these two types of libraries may vary by states. Using Illinois as an example, district libraries may receive less revenue than municipal libraries. District libraries in Illinois also provided fewer services and programs and generated less service output than municipal libraries.

摘要

本研究调查了美国地方政府层面的公共市图书馆和公共图书馆区，特别是伊利诺伊州，该州拥有全国最多的地方政府和公共图书馆区单位。本研究通过比较地区图书馆和市图书馆，为公共图书馆的研究做出了贡献。根据对全国公共图书馆的调查和对公共图书馆工作人员的采访，我们发现，平均而言，特区图书馆比市级图书馆获得更多的财政投入、提供更多的项目和服务、产生更高的服务产出。但是，这两类图书馆之间的差异可能因州而异。以伊利诺伊州为例，地区图书馆获得的收入可能比市图书馆少。