CONCLUSIONS
The history of public library service in America is rich and varied. Historically the public library has been expected to be
all things to all people. Its educational function may have
been, at first, fundamental and paramount, but education is only
part of the public library mission, Cultural, social, and
recreational needs of patrons cannot be ignored nor can outreach programs be abandoned. How to strike a balance among the
competing demands of multiple constituencies remains difficult.
Middletown Thrall Library, like many other public libraries, has
had to strike this balance within the constraints of tight
budgets, 11mited space, and small staff. It is 11ttle wonder
then that the past records of this institution have been
neglected and kept haphazardly.
Librarians have a responsibility to preserve their institution's recorded history and document events as they occur.
One of the ways this might be done in the future would be to tape
oral interviews with some of the men and women who administer the
library's services and shape its policies.
These thoughts and observations are not truly
recommendations because Kevin Gallagher, has a keen appreciation