Preface

In the fall of 1998, staff from the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) met with public library directors to discuss a revision of Minimum Standards for Rhode Island Public Libraries. These standards had been approved and published in 1983 and implemented in 1988. There was general agreement that a revision and updating were overdue, especially in light of the dramatic increase in the role of technology in libraries, the growing importance of communicating to the public the wide range of services offered by public libraries, and the need for library staff at all levels for ongoing training.

The development of revised standards proceeded in three phases. In the first phase, a committee wrote a new philosophical statement based on Libraries, an American Value from the American Library Association. This new statement provides the framework for the role of a public library and for the principles that were developed in the second phase. The principles articulate the expectations that citizens of Rhode Island should have as they physically or virtually enter any public library in this state. Vermont's draft standards were a helpful resource at this stage. In this phase, many decisions were also made about the formatting of the document, most importantly that there would be no guidelines, only standards. All standards would be met by all independent public libraries except those based on city or town population, where it is specifically indicated that the combined libraries in a city or town could together comply with a standard. As in the past, libraries must comply with the standards or receive an approved waiver in order to receive state grant-in-aid.

The third phase of development resulted in the delineation of the specific standards under each principle. The standards do not represent a full description of quality library service. Instead, they are strategic indicators that, at this point in time, provide signposts on the way to making the principles a reality. The standards were selected with the citizen's need for competent and convenient library services in mind. Where specific target levels are provided, they reflect reasonable steps forward. Some libraries will have achieved these levels already and are encouraged to continue to lead the way. Others will take advantage of the three-year time frame from approval and publication until implementation to plan how they will move forward toward compliance by July 1, 2003. These standards reflect minimum requirements; libraries striving for excellence will work to exceed them. As trustees and directors review this document and work toward compliance, they can refer to the OLIS web site for supporting continuing education opportunities, sample policies and related links, and appropriate resources from the OLIS Library.

Through standards, the state assures each citizen access to a minimum level of library service which effectively meets his or her information needs. Trustees, directors, and staff of individual libraries will continue to design facilities and services targeted for their community through a reflective planning process and local advocacy of support for library services. Local public libraries then work together, through a statewide network, to provide a high level of service to all the state's residents.

In the constantly changing world in which libraries operate, any standards can only represent markers on an evolving continuum. It is recommended that a new revision of this document be completed for implementation in 2008. Public library standards function to aid libraries and communities in improving and strengthening library services. In addition, they serve as criteria for state and federal public library funding. This dual purpose necessitates that standards be up-to-date and in accord with current thought, practice, and trends if they are to be meaningful.

Many thanks are due to the committee members who worked so diligently and with such dedication to produce this document. Following feedback sessions and public hearings, this final document was approved by the Library Board of Rhode Island on September 18, 2000.