explains the work by the Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators Birth to Five Task Force that has helped public libraries get involved in community programs for preschoolers. Topics include national resources and initiatives; brain research; reading research; Early Childhood Longitudinal Study; systems reform for solving community…

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.…

Service-learning pedagogies are used in K-12 and higher education to provide students with experiential learning opportunities and foster connections between students, their communities, and the world. Presents comments from librarians across the United States on their experiences with service-learning programs. Suggests strategies for libraries…

Describes guidelines issued by the Public Library Association which base evaluation of individual public libraries on community standards rather than national; identify eight basic roles of the library within the community; and provide a suggested process for libraries and communities to assess service needs and determine which activities to…

Described a project that moved a retired Carnegie library four blocks and back into service as an annex to the Mexico-Audrain Library System (Missouri). Insights are provided into the practicality of recycling buildings as public library facilities and the effects that such efforts can have on community pride and involvement. (SLW)

Provides an approach to dealing with donations and special collections for public libraries serving all sizes of communities with varying levels of funding. Highlights include guidelines for when to accept special collections, how to identify areas of need in the library's collection, and a special collection proposal form. (EM)

Public libraries should be the place people go to seek community information, but inconsistent format and quality of delivery has created a void other providers of online information are filling. Examines online community information and discusses the results of an informal survey of 103 public libraries and their community information resources.…

Discusses "The New Planning for Results" manual published by the American Library Association that helps create local standards of public library service, and provides implementation examples based on experiences in Vermont. Highlights include evaluating community needs; service responses to those needs; developing library objectives;…

Suggests four methods for implementing a successful library planning process, based on experiences at the Anaheim (California) Public Library. Highlights include maximizing the level of public input; engaging staff at all levels in all stages of the process; assessing all input critically; and proper use in decision making. (Author/LRW)

Explores the issue of intellectual freedom and the role of the library in the community, and the extent to which community attitudes and values should influence library policy. A specific incident involving a public library exhibit of materials on gay rights in Durham, North Carolina, is described. (CLB)

Argues that obstacles exist in the Public Library Association (PLA) planning process that can be resolved by developing relationships between materials in the collection and PLA roles. Proposes changes to help reduce conflict in the PLA planning process and discusses process obstacles, relationships as the key providing better service, and…

In 1998, the Houston Public Library launched a new library card campaign. Through extensive outreach, community partnerships, and the support of a major corporation, the program nearly doubled the number of children with cards in one fiscal year and increased juvenile circulation by more than 20%. The program led to an increase in library funding,…

Describes a teen volunteer program sponsored by the Clearwater Public Library System. The discussion covers promotional activities, job responsibilities and training, program evaluation, staffing, and funding. The volunteer application and guidelines are appended. A sidebar reports the results of a national survey of the public library resources…

Describes how public libraries can plan, fund, and implement scholar-led, library-based, humanities book discussion programs using the example of the Southern Connecticut Library Council. Key steps in planning, funding, targeting the audience, selecting topics and books, obtaining community support, recruiting scholars, marketing, administration,…

Discusses psychographics, lifestyle characteristics, and the cluster system of targeted market analysis and their potential use by public libraries for correlating lifestyles in local communities and collection development. Preliminary studies are reviewed, data verification is discussed, future research is suggested, and six lifestyle tables are…