The history of the St. Petersburg Public Library is undertaken not only for the benefit of the community it serves, but also as an example of American attitudes towards library service, and as a representative of the Carnegie Libraries. The development of the community itself is also discussed, taking into consideration the major events and activities which affected its growth and created its particular characteristics. The causes and effects of events have influenced the library as well as the city. / Typescript. / "August, 1960." / "Submitted to the Graduate School of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Advisor: Ruth H. Rockwood, Professor Directing Paper.

First, a study was made of various writings in the field of librarianship which have undertaken to define the duties and responsibilities of library boards and of librarians. From these a set of standards has been developed in the broad areas of organization of the board, division of responsibilities between librarian and board, and general policies. Second, board-librarian relationships in Florida were studied, the investigation limited to public libraries which have budgets of $5,000 a year or more and which are governed by library boards. Since no records of present problems in Florida public libraries are available, a questionnaire was devised and sent to public libraries which have annual budgets of $5,000 or more and which have governing boards. The findings have been summarized and tabulated. Comparisons have been made with standard practices and recommendations for improving existing relations listed. / Typescript. / "August, 1958." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts." / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-58).