Although entire issues are available in PDF, I could find no cover images online.
Public Libraries is the magazine you get when you belong to the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. As you might gather, this division is for public librarians.
Like American Libraries, this magazine starts with a letter from the President of PLA. But it’s the Tales from the Front section that I look at first. This section discusses interesting events at public libraries around the country (Libraries using solar panels or digital bookmobiles, or even successful programs that other may wish to emulate).
Next comes Perspectives which showcases different viewpoints about library concerns. This issue concerns The Big Read, sponsored by the NEA. Next is Internet Spotlight. This issue’s “An Internet Holiday” irritated me immensely because it was written for people who don’t like the internet (which is fine), but insisted that “This Internet Spotlight Column is for everyone” about half a dozen times. By the fourth paragraph, when they repeated, “So if you have ever felt [frustrated by computers], please read on” I nearly threw the mag across the room. So, note to writers: don’t patronize your audience.
The rest of the magazine deals with topics essential to libraries: fundraising, young adult issues and advocacy for a better library.
The Feature articles are all long pieces. And the thing that always strikes me about them is that they have References and Endnotes. These are serious articles backed up by scholarship. It’s very interesting to see. Although, i admit I don’t often read them.
The final sections of the magazine review books and new products for libraries.
Most of the divisions of ALA have their own magazine. And the formats are largely the same. So, whatever your specialty is, there’s a journal for you. (And there’s some (very minimal) insight into the world of librarians).
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