Discusses the historic and contemporary involvement of public libraries in community education, with emphasis on the need for cooperation among libraries of all types and other community agencies to ensure quality programs. (Author/CMV)

Examines the role that the public library plays as a center for community activities, as a civic building, and as a representative of government. Examples of these roles in California communities are given, and sources of income and funding problems are addressed. (Contains 10 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the concept of the learning organization contained in Peter Senge's text, "The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization," and how it applies to schools. The school library information professional's potential role as a practitioner of systems thinking, which Senge defines as the fifth discipline, is…

Describes a process undertaken by small, rural libraries in Massachusetts in which trustees, librarians, and community leaders identified the possible roles of libraries and prioritized needs for individual communities. The results include an emphasis on community standards rather than national, and a list of three basic roles of all libraries.…

In order to assess community information needs and determine how the Burlington Public Library could plan to meet these needs, a community analysis project was undertaken. Specific objectives of the study were to: (1) prepare a descriptive statistical profile of the community; (2) describe the community environment, lifestyle, and information…

Assesses the scope of the nation's illiteracy problem. Describes a study of community college libraries' involvement in literacy education. Relates 31 library directors' survey responses regarding illiteracy as a community problem; the nature of college- and community-based literacy programs; and the relationship of libraries to these programs.…

The development and current status of Friends of the Library groups in Canada and the United States are discussed. Suggestions for forming a group and fostering cooperation between the Friends and the library are offered. The resulting benefits to the library and the community are explored. (25 references) (CLB)

The theme meeting on new communication and information technologies and their application to public and citizen uses and needs, which was coordinated by the National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting (NCCB), was designed as an educational experience and a working session. The 25 participants representing government, private industry, university,…

Discusses the role of rural public libraries in the information age. Characteristics of rural communities that library planners should consider are conservatism, the lack of professionally trained librarians, library trustee involvement, the need for marketing, and gender balance. Suggestions for recreating rural libraries and providing…

Reports the results of a survey that examined the role of small university libraries in Canadian communities. The discussion covers services currently available to communities, areas in which services could be improved or extended, and the benefits to be gained by both the library and the community. (19 references) (Author/CLB)

Librarians tend to view themselves as agents, advocates, or promoters of educational and cultural processes, and these functions are important; but rural librarians can and should play a broader role in the community, including a role in community development activities. As information specialists, librarians have access to critical resources for…

This description of a program in which public libraries serve as sites for mediation sessions discusses the advantages of mediation over judicial proceedings in resolving disputes in the neighborhood and workplace, the role of the library in this program, and the effects on the library's relationship with the community. (CLB)

Reviews the evolution of library community service patterns in reference and adult services, recognizes the fluidity of community information needs in terms of library response, research, and technology, and discusses questions pertaining to service innovations. References are included. (FM)

Designed to help librarians and trustees make informed planning decisions concerning the development or improvement of library literacy services, this manual discusses the following topics: (1) the problem of illiteracy; (2) identifying adult new learners; (3) providers of literacy services; (4) the library's role in literacy activities; (5)…

Presents the perspectives of a high school librarian and a high school English teacher on the issue of censorship in their schools. (MM)