Bob Cornett, a former state budget director for Kentucky, describes himself as a "retired bureaucrat." But as a parent, grandparent, and a person who has been involved in education reform for more than 20 years, he's come to understand that, if public education policies are to be corrected, the impetus has to come from the citizenry. In…

Defines "community development" as the creation of an enlightened, involved, learning citizenry. Concludes that its beneficiaries include participants who learn social and political skills; the community which has its problems solved and troubles ameliorated or diverted; and the facilitating institution, which grows through new alliances and…

Trustees from four prototypical community-based institutions in Virginia, Colorado, and Florida discuss how community and junior colleges serve the needs of their communities. Concerns include community access, responsiveness to change, and diverse opportunities. (DMM)

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…

Community colleges should return to the philosophy of localism and team up with community agencies to play an active role in community planning and development. Rural colleges, which are governed by local boards that are more prone to receive immediate community pressure than their urban counterparts, are more suited to the achievement of this…