Scope, Background, and Intellectual Context of the Public Library Inquiry

This background paper briefly describes each of the reports which resulted from the Public Library Inquiry, and discusses how contemporary developments in the social sciences and in communication studies shaped questions that were asked, the methodologies used, and the interpretation of the results. The final publications of the Inquiry consisted of seven major and five supplementary reports which, for the purposes of this discussion, have been grouped according to four major themes: (1) library use and users; (2) mass media and the book industry; (3) library governance and finance; and (4) librarians and library management. Following an overview of these studies and of the general report, the authors examine the design and interpretation of the Inquiry in relationship to contemporary developments in communications research. Finally, contemporary reactions to the recommendations of the Inquiry are also discussed.