During my 45 years as an academic, I have followed the admonition sometimes attributed to the legendary Jedi warrior Obi-Wan Kenobe that political scientists should "use [their] power for good and not for evil." In this spirit, I have devoted substantial portions of my career to public service by providing strategic advice and campaign management…

This will be my first time authoring this column, and I'm delighted to have the opportunity it presents to explore the intersection of library technology and public services. As the recent title of the 2008 Internet Librarian conference indicates, "Beyond Library 2.0: User-Focused Tools and Technologies," the tide of what for several years has…

The Director of Institutional Research and Systems Planning at Broward Community College (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) describes examples of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) projects. Also noted are some negative aspects of the CETA process (e.g., reporting requirements, hiring elegibility regulations, etc.) and tips on seeking…

The University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government, one of the nation's oldest and largest university-based public-service organizations, provides a case study of the problems and challenges for these organizations, one of which is to mix and match institutional and personal objectives and capabilities to optimize the contributions of…

College alumni associations are using a variety of approaches to improve alumni participation. Surveying alumni for needs and preferences can be fruitful. Program ideas include career planning, parent programs, community service, student relations activities, and high school recruitment. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation is crucial to…

Ways in which colleges can involve their students in voluntary community service programs are outlined, and development of campus service programs is discussed. The program at East Tennessee State University is offered as illustration. A list of community service resource organizations, with addresses, is included. (MSE)

This paper argues that the current interest in service learning provides universities with a unique opportunity to engage their students in community service, expand their educational agenda, and build reciprocal partnerships with the community. Specific activities for implementation of such a program are delineated for the four constituencies of…

Defines community service, which involves unpaid work to improve the community, and service learning, which blends academic study and community service. Offers a rationale for service learning at community colleges. Explains how to start a service learning program, document students' community involvement, and obtain funding. Discusses…