| Summary: | 碩士 === 淡江大學 === 資訊與圖書館學系 === 92 === In democratic societies, libraries are regarded an imagery for democratic organization. Libraries and democratization are closely interwoven, with diverse aspects involved. Beginning with endeavors of American Library Association (ALA) to bring about democratization, this research aims to understand the relationship between library profession and democratic activities. Librarian education in Taiwan is influenced by USA, and ALA’s arguments are widely accepted in literature. ALA gains recognitions from librarians for boosting society democratization as well. To clarify the role and activities of ALA in American society’s democratization, this research focuses on aspects including “Library and Democracy”, “Development of ALA”, and “ALA’s Endeavors in the Democratization of American Society”, through literature review.
Findings of this research involves four aspects: “Relationship Between Democracy and the Operation of American Libraries”, “ALA’s Development in the Democratic Society”, “ALA’s Influence on the Democratization of American Society”, and “Activities and Role of ALA in the Democratization of American society”. In USA, library is coadjutant with democracy and thus becomes one of the tokens of democratic polity. With its ability to change with contemporary tides and demands, ALA has developed to become a leading organization in the library profession. It takes efforts to make library a democratic organization and strengthens librarians’ beliefs in intellectual freedom, reminding them of their responsibility to assert people’s freedom to access knowledge and information. On one hand, ALA, and its executive directors, infuse concepts about intellectual freedom into the minds of librarians and make them advocates of this belief; on the other, it also supports library profession and provides powerful backings to librarians. ALA’s emphasis on freedom is based on its faith in democracy and this still remains true in the 21st century.
Suggestions for follow-up researches are: (1) Further discussions on the democratic background of American society, as well as its respect for democracy, would help understand the development of American democratic society, reactions of libraries, and the government’s policies. (2) Analyze the intent, reasons, processes, and effects of ALA’s topic activities and events to understand ALA’s execution and results. (3) Collect diverse opinions and outside comments on ALA. (4) Examine and research Taiwan library profession’s cognizance on democracy, including attitudes of librarians and readers, manners and activities of library organizations, and policies of the government, for the reference of improvement.
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