Contracting out of a public library service: business to be, or not to be?

Evaluates a proposal by Invercargill City Council to contract out the Invercargill City Libraries to, initially, the present library manager. The reasoning of a move from the traditional form of public library governance is discussed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of a library service being provided by a private company. The purpose of the paper is not to advocate contracting out but provides information to stimulate debate and add to the limited published research that exists in New Zealand and overseas.