Many librarians work in public libraries to make a difference for children, families, and communities and identify family and community engagement as a cornerstone of their responsibilities. For librarians to be successful they must be afforded strong foundations in family and community engagement that begin early in their preparation. Yet little…

In the past decade, economic development experts have moved away from traditional approaches to economic development that have relied upon recruiting or attracting large businesses with offers of tax breaks, financial incentives, and other subsidies. Increasingly, communities are focusing their economic development resources on supporting the…

Reviews the efforts of Michigan public libraries to create local and statewide electronic information services. Highlights include Internet access; libraries' roles in the community; networking climate; three local and regional projects; and statewide initiatives, including those of the state library. (LRW)

The results of a survey of the history of library uses of television from its earliest beginnings through the present expansion are presented in tabular and narrative form. The Detroit, Michigan, and Mobile, Alabama, public libraries are used to exemplify the contrast between early television usage in the 50's and 60's and the usage of Cable TV…

This report presents the methodology and results of a patron use and satisfaction survey conducted during four one-week periods in 1997-98 at the Ferndale Public Library (Michigan). Survey questions focused on patron self-description, library use, and resource evaluation. In all, 1,424 surveys were distributed and 1,222 returned for a response…

In June 1987 the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees appointed a special task force on library interdependency and funding whose charge was to formulate recommendations and methods for achieving adequate services by and funding for Michigan libraries. The first three sections of the report provide a brief introduction and statement of the…