From Lending to Learning provides a theoretical overview and practical guide to the functional area of delivering learning services within public libraries. It traces the development of public library service delivery and critically appraises the inherent tension between offering an educational-focused or leisure-focused library. The current and future policy directions are explored against the backdrop of the emerging learning society. A general overview of recent developments in learning theory is followed by an insight into the learning landscape. The issues and practicalities of setting up a learning environment within a public library are dealt with in a clear and straightforward fashion. The book concludes with an assessment of the emerging web 2.0 technologies and gives an insight into how the whole area of social networking might shape the future.

Author Biography

Ronan O'Beirne is Assistant Director - Learning Development - at Bradford College in West Yorkshire. In his previous post as Principal Libraries Officer for Information and Learning at City of Bradford Public Libraries he set up a learning zone and, in collaboration with Imperial College London, developed and delivered an innovative e-learning programme. He has pioneered the development of community networking and online learning initiatives and has acted as a consultant to the University for Industry and the European Union.