Honors Projects

Cade ClemFollow

Abstract

This research paper focuses on how the Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) has adapted to the 21st century, with an emphasis on the impact of digital materials and the Internet. This paper looks at these changes primarily through three lenses: official policies, services and programs, and internal culture. This paper uses quantitative data to determine if TLCPL has maintained overall growth in areas such as number of cardholders, customer counts, circulation, computer usage, and program attendance. These numbers show that, while not always maintaining growth, TLCPL has adapted quite well to the 21st century, bringing in record high numbers across the variables measured. These numbers, along with TLCPL’s position as a community center throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggests that TLCPL has a solid foundation for the future. This paper concludes that, contrary to some beliefs, public libraries like TLCPL will continue to serve the public for decades to come.

Department

Honors Program

Major

Communication

First Advisor

Dr. Raymond I. Schuck

First Advisor Department

Communication

Second Advisor

Dr. Matthew A. Donahue

Second Advisor Department

Popular Culture

Publication Date

Spring 4-14-2023

Download

Share

COinS