THE LOCAL UNION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIANS

This study examines the unionization of librarians at the level of a present-day social phenomenon the white collar - professional local union. The public library local union has not been investigated at all up to now, and the white collar - professional local union has seen relatively little investigation.;By understanding the functions and structures of the local union, one is examining the base of the American labor movement, and through this examination, it is possible to have a better understanding of the complex institution which is the American labor movement.;This study investigated the local union of public librarians. It held a microscope to the day-to-day functions of the local union. It examined the internal relationships among the leaders and the members. It investigated the external relationships with management.;As a result of this investigation, we will have a deeper understanding of the social phenomenon of unionization of librarians and also a knowledge of the current trend of the American labor movement.;In order to understand any social phenomenon such as unionization of public librarians, it is necessary to examine the smallest and most basic unit of the phenomenon, which is the members and leaders of the local union.;The broad scope of this investigation necessitated that the study be divided into three main sections. The first deals with the external relations with management; the second examines the internal interaction among the members of the local; the third scrutinized the results of the first two relationships studied and analyzes the written data using content analysis methodology.;Among the major findings of this study are: (1) In the external interaction with management area, the relationship was found to be a dynamic one, and at its core, it is an adversary relationship. (2) In the internal interaction areas of this study, the levels of participation were identified and examined. The areas and specific causes of internal union conflict were also identified and examined. (3) The content analysis of the labor agreements showed little in the way of findings and few of the agreements included professional goals.