Managing Public Libraries in Palestine during the Change Age as perceived by the Public Libraries’ Directors

This study addresses the issue of managing the public libraries in Palestine in the age of technological development and economic changes at the outset of the 21st century as perceived by the public libraries directors. This descriptive study examines the libraries’ directors’ awareness of their roles during these changes regarding the future of the public libraries, and the potential practical steps to encounter these challenges. In depth interviews with twenty library directors from all over the West-Bank region in Palestine were made. As a result, the study highlighted the responsibilities and roles of the library directors in keeping up with and adapting to those changes. For example, they manage the libraries’ work, budgets, provide proper reading environment, and solve the present problems to adapt to the future challenges. The study also concluded that the public libraries budgets should be separated from the budgets of the municipalities and local councils since they are still included in these councils and municipalities’ budgets. Therefore, it is recommended that the libraries’ budgets should be independent and annually increased to cope with the beneficiaries’ increasing needs, maintenance and operating costs.