The sociological analysis of the library is a comparatively unexploited subfield of sociology. Research works pertaining to library organizational study are seldom found in sociology and organization literatures. On the other hand, in the library literature only a handful of studies have approached problems systematically in a sociological perspective. The few studies which consider the library as a unique laboratory in which to deal with strategic sociological problems include: Eerelson's (1949) study, which •- ndertook an analysis of library book uses and users; Marjorie Fiske's (1959) work, which studied book selection and censorship in California libraries; Richard L. Meier's (1963) article, which analyzes the library as a manysided tool for research and higher education; and Dan Lacy's (1967) paper, which emphasizes the effects of social forces, namely, the population pattern and technological development, upon the library. Further research is needed in the fieldi research on library clientele, library service, library administration, the social effects of the library, and the role of the library as a factor in social change. All those deserve systematic study by sociologists of the library. The present study purposes to examine one of the major concepts in the field, organizational goal, in a library setting. Organizations are tools designed to achieve various goals. To understand them fully, one must understand the goals they pursue. Despite complex conceptual and definitional problems in this aroa, the writer feels it is instructive to make the attempt. The American library is changing today at a more rapid rate than at any time in its history. With new fields of study emerging, academic research and study increasingly cross traditional disciplinary lines and are problem oriented. Schools are modifying curricula to permit more individual study. This results in more research and use of the library collections. At the same time, retrenchment and cutback of funding have affected the governing structures, staff patterns, and budgets at many institutions across the country. All these developments will have a great impact on the large research libraries. The goals and the objectives of libraries are being revised in emphasis and approach to relate more closely and directly to the needs of society. Library organization are undergoing rapid and continuing change. Many libraries are redistributing the authorities and responsibilities within the system and seeking ways to increase staff efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, American libraries are confronted with growing financial crisis. Cost of operation and capital development are increasing more rapidly than income from public and private sources. All these changes force the libraries, particularly large research libraries, to re-evaluate their goals and objectives. This, in turn, also results in a review of their services, collections, staffing, budget planning and relationship with other library organizations. Since the importance of examining the library's organizational goals is thus quite obvious, this is a step intended toward fulfillment of this need. It is not, however, a large-scale study of library goal research, but an intensive case study of exploratory character. One large academic library and one large public library have been chosen for a comparative study. The University of Minnesota Library system and the Minneapolis Public Library are both large complex organizations and, consequently, could be expected to sustain a large number of goals. This is particularly true of the American libraries with their close association with pressure from the local community for practical results and from the government for funds. There may be a great many activities which the library is engaged in without thinking of them as goals. This research is interested in finding out how library goals are shaped under historical circumstances, and structural and milieu requirements. In addition, library goals will be identified, and a comparative case analysis of library goals between the University Library and the Minneapolis Public Library will be observed. We will also characterize the similarities and differences of goals between these two library organizations retroactively and place the emphasis on the current development. Finally, a central question here is how librarians from these two different library settings perceive their respective goals. Hopefully, this study will inspire a further research in this field. Minneapolis, Minnesota Henry C. Chang February, 1974
