Public Libraries and Marxism

<p><em>Public Libraries and Marxism</em> provides a Marxist analytical framework for understanding public libraries and presents a set of proposals for transforming the capitalist libraries of today. </p><p>Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of this Marxist framework the authors also provide a critical examination of the history theory and practice of libraries in the Soviet Union and North Korea. Considering what a Marxist library service would look like in the Western capitalist countries of today Pateman and Pateman synthesise the insights provided throughout the book into a set of Marxist proposals designed to promote the transformation of contemporary Western public librarianship. These proposals suggest how Western public libraries can change their organisation and practices – their strategies structures systems and culture – in order to best serve those with the most needs particularly as society evolves in response to new challenges.</p><p>Public Libraries and Marxism will be relevant for scholars and students of library and information science history politics and sociology. Outlining the rudiments of a Marxist library service that should be applicable around the world the book will also appeal to library practitioners who want to develop libraries in a community-led and needs-based direction. </p>