The social transcript : uncovering library philosophy

Many glimpses into what might be called library philosophy are scattered throughout the literatures of library history and library and information science, but none has coalesced as yet. Conversely, theories relative to the operation of libraries, rather than relative to why its operations are necessary in the first place, are exceedingly abundant. Not surprisingly, fundamental misunderstandings are shared among public, scholar, and librarian about what the library is and why it exists. Adapting the work of Kenneth Boulding, Osburn presents a cogent, well substantiated explanation of why the library refuses to cede its position as a cultural icon; and how it not only continues but flourishes throughout the trials and errors of civilization.

The written record of the human race, as we find it in the great libraries, is a precious heritage of communication and profoundly affects the content of what we have to communicate about. Indeed, we stand on the shoulders of the past through its records. --Kenneth Boulding.

On the one hand, the concept of a library reflects a rational social process, its genesis and survival the result of each succeeding generation embracing the same core values as the one before. At the same time, practice in the library is bounded by both the experiences and expectations of the public, and our choice and treatment of topic in our scholarly and professional literature. Not surprisingly, fundamental misunderstandings are shared among public, scholar, and librarian about what the library is and why it exists.

Adapting the work of Kenneth Boulding, Charles Osburn presents a cogent, well substantiated explanation of why the library refuses to cede its position as a cultural icon; and how it not only continues but flourishes throughout the trials and errors of civilization.

• Prologue p. xi
• Part I Siting the Philosophy
• Chapter 1 Echoes of a Philosophy p. 3
• Introduction p. 3
• Stages of Philosophy Development p. 8
• Ranganathan p. 10
• Butler p. 12
• Shera p. 13
• Broadfield p. 14
• Wright p. 15
• Budd p. 17
• Other Leaders p. 18
• Why the Need for a Philosophy Remains p. 18
• Neglect & Ambivalence p. 18
• A Belief System p. 20
• Practicalities p. 22
• Technology as an End p. 24
• The Science Model p. 25
• The Cognition Model p. 27
• Summary p. 31
• Chapter 2 Strategic Considerations p. 35
• Introduction p. 35
• Philosophy p. 37
• Social Sciences p. 38
• Evolution & History p. 39
• History & Philosophy p. 43
• Librarianship the Wrong Focus p. 44
• Library the Focus p. 47
• Function of the Library p. 50
• Summary & Prospectus p. 53
• Part II A Creation of Culture for Mind
• Chapter 3 Cultural Evolution p. 59
• Introduction p. 59
• Society p. 59
• Culture p. 61
• Functions p. 66
• Processes p. 68
• Selection & Adaptation p. 71
• Progress p. 76
• Purpose p. 81
• Complexity p. 82
• Mind p. 84
• Truth p. 87
• Dialectic & Decision Making p. 89
• Imagination & Creativity p. 91
• Summary p. 95
• Chapter 4 Communication p. 99
• Introduction p. 99
• Memory p. 100
• Language p. 104
• Knowledge & Learning p. 110
• Writing p. 118
• Printing p. 119
• Reading p. 121
• Literacy p. 123
• Entertainment p. 125
• Summary p. 126
• Chapter 5 A Cultural Technology p. 131
• Introduction p. 131
• The Social Transcript p. 133
• Cooperation & Social Institutions p. 137
• Library in Concept p. 145
• Summary p. 157
• Part III Convergence of Mind, Society, and Evolution in Library Philosophy
• Chapter 6 The Unique Function of the Library p. 165
• Introduction p. 165
• Theory p. 167
• Mind at the Center p. 171
• Intellectual Freedom p. 173
• Sense of Place p. 179
• Ideas p. 181
• Memory p. 182
• Values p. 183
• Imagination & Creativity p. 185
• Intellectual Comfort p. 187
• Summary p. 194
• Chapter 7 Stewardship of the Social Transcript p. 203
• Introduction p. 203
• Library as Communication p. 204
• Problems of Philosophy p. 206
• Theory, Mind, & Society p. 211
• Understanding p. 221
• Problem Solving & Creativity p. 224
• Summary p. 226
• Chapter 8 Sounding for the Embedded Philosophy p. 231
• Introduction p. 231
• Appearance of Dual Function p. 234
• Process p. 235
• Integration p. 238
• Essentials of an Appropriate Philosophy p. 241
• Theory in Its Place p. 242
• Practice in Its Place p. 245
• Unity of the Profession p. 247
• Nature of the Profession p. 248
• Library as Concept p. 250
• Summary p. 257
• Epilogue: Library Philosophy Uncovered p. 263
• Notes p. 267
• References p. 303
• Index p. 325