Public relations in public libraries : as practised by the National Library and National Library Board of Singapore

Abstract

Public relations has been identified in Library 2000 as one of the skills and knowledge that New Age librarians should possess. As such this dissertation examines the role of public relations in the public libraries of Singapore: the National Library and National Library Board. The National Library Board was established on September 1, 1995. A great amount of literature on public relations exists and a number of public relations concepts are discussed. These include the range of definitions, public relations' relationship with marketing, advertising, promotion and publicity, and some models of public relations. The study then reviews the application of public relations in the public libraries since 1992, and describes the understanding and attitudes towards public relations held by senior management of the National Library Board. The findings are supported by personal interviews with the Chief Executive and Director of Public Library Services, analysis of newspaper articles and annual reports produced by the National Library and National Library Board.