As the mission statements of libraries across the nation change to reflect the realities of America and its emphasis on economics, librarians have had to move their long-standing paradigm from knowledge steward to information broker to entertainment director. Many library boards have made it clear that the public library -- especially in smaller communities -- can earn its keep only by becoming the center of educational, informational, and entertainment possibilities for taxpayers. This has necessitated a ten-year learning curve, unprecedented in professional life. Few librarians, even those receiving graduate-school diplomas, are prepared to shift into high gear when it comes to conceptualizing, planning, paying for, and evaluating public programs for their patrons.
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