ABSTRACT
This chapter aims at disentangling the main aspects of the library sector, which appears multifaceted, including heterogeneous types of libraries that differ in terms of content, institutional features, and related functions. The chapter also investigates how libraries interact with the economy and how the different types of libraries affect society’s wellbeing, providing a rationale for the role of the public sector at the various levels of government. The features of the public decision-making process are also analysed, with a focus on the crucial role of librarians, outlining the different institutional arrangements across countries and the crucial role of valuation to assess the effects of libraries’ activities. Finally, an overview of funding issues is provided, paying attention to both private and public sources and, within the latter, to the choice between direct and indirect expenditure.
