The role of public libraries is changing in response to a multitude of influences and trends. The exponential growth of technology as the primary method of information access, funding challenges, changing demographics, and other mitigating factors have forced public libraries to become more than book repositories. Community library leaders and…

This article highlights a successful collaborative project between the Toledo-Lucas County Library System, a university professor, and a local production company in order to expand the library's African American oral history collection. The project, made possible from a state technology grant, also resulted in the production of 20…

This survey of public library use in Arthur, Illinois, reveals that 14 percent of nearby Amish population have purchased nonresident, family library cards. Comparison with rural populations in downstate Illinois and library use in Ohio Amish settlements suggests changes in Amish culture and role of public libraries near Amish settlements. Includes…

The history of the Coshocton Public Library (Ohio) is traced from 1872 through 1992, highlighting its connection with the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum. In response to a newspaper editorial, citizens of Coshocton formed the Coshocton Library Association in 1872. The library evolved through the years as a free school library, a municipal library, a…

Controversy is the current state of opinion among librarians and others about the future of libraries. The proponents of the electronic library say that now that information is readily available from sources other than the library, the role of the library must be rethought. Some of the advocates of the electronic library see the elimination of the…

This paper examines the choices that Stow Public Library in Stow, Ohio made to respond to the needs of home schoolers. Home schooling is when parents choose to educate their children at home instead of following the traditional method of educating them at public or private schools. The objective of this research is to create a model of potential…

In 1992, the Library Literacy Connection of the Mansfield-Richland County (Ohio) Public Library was established to help promote adult literacy. The library began documenting its impact through a collection of interviews. In this article, adult learners and tutors share their tales of libraries and literacy. (AEF)

This paper reports on a study in which case studies of two adult writing programs in northeastern Ohio were developed to identify and describe elements that make up the programs. Data was gathered through obtrusive observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Both programs had been on going for at least 5 years. The "Geauga Writers…

A study of Ohio institutional library services and cooperation between such institutions and public libraries reports on library services in: institutions for the mentally ill and retarded, prisons, facilities for youthful offenders, and an orphanage. Profiles for 40 institutions include the institution's location, population, and client age…

Cooperation between schools and public libraries is an important element of library service to children and young adults. A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 88 public libraries in Ohio in order to identify the types of cooperative efforts currently taking place. The survey achieved a return rate of 67% (n=59). A model was created to…

This packet of materials was developed by the members of a joint task force of librarians from school, public, and college libraries in Ohio as a means of facilitating closer cooperation in defining library instructional goals and activities. It begins with a discussion of the need for such cooperation and suggested roles for classroom teachers…

Public schools in Ohio are adopting whole language, literature-based curricula. As a result, teachers are using the public library more frequently, borrowing greater quantities of books and materials, and asking librarians to assume non-traditional roles such as that of curriculum planner and teacher. The purpose of this study was to examine how…

This investigative study, through a questionnaire survey, was conducted to determine if public libraries in Ohio saw a need for library programs/outreach to the homeless, and if, indeed, any libraries had a structured program to serve the special needs of the homeless population. One library from each Ohio county was selected through systematic…