Anyone at the helm of a small public library knows that every little detail counts. But juggling the responsibilities that are part and parcel of the job is far from easy. Finally, here's a handbook that includes everything administrators need to keep a handle on library operations, freeing them up to streamline and improve how the organization…

According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, it is estimated that 93 million adults in the United States have basic or below basic literacy skills. Those individuals found most lacking in literacy skills were adults living in poverty, adults lacking a high school diploma, seniors and the elderly aged 65 and older, the more than one…

Illiteracy is a huge problem, socially, economically and educationally. This study of the history and current practices of American public libraries examines their role in supporting the development of human literate abilities and in helping all Americans to be critically literate in order to participate fully and successfully in our society. This…

The health literacy movement has been socially constructed over time. Unlike the consumer health information movement, which developed with broad public support, the health literacy movement has been fashioned primarily from the top down, initiated by policy makers and imposed on targeted populations. Interest in the health literacy movement has…

Project Read at the San Mateo Public Library is one of 106 library programs in California helping adults improve their reading, writing, and communication skills. Like many adult literacy programs, Project Read trains and matches volunteer tutors with students. About 30% of the Project Read students are men in Project 90 (P-90), a residential drug…

The 12th biennial report of the Vermont State Library, statistics of local libraries, and a directory of libraries in Vermont are presented. In the 1990-92 biennium, library services in Vermont were redefined by budget constraints and by changes in information, formats, and society. The Vermont Automated Libraries System (VALS), clearer public…

The population of state and federal prisons quadrupled between 1971 and 1991, increasing demand for library resources. Outlines the history of prison libraries (1700s-1990s); discusses prison libraries and librarians, law collections, reference services, literacy programs, and funding; and provides a bibliography of prison librarianship covering…

Paradoxically, for reasons both philosophical and practical, public libraries are uniquely positioned to assist the 72 million Americans who, by virtue of being illiterate or marginally literate, are not ordinarily library users. A formal link between libraries and literacy can be traced back to the 1920s when the American Library Association…

The purpose of this report is to present a public forum expressing the views of the people of New York and their thoughts on the role and needs of New York's Libraries. Exhibit One provides a brief overview of New York's libraries and the New York State Archives, and the roles which these systems play as part of the state's library systems.…

Argues that combining public and school libraries may overcome the scarcity that slows library development in third world countries. The relationship between libraries and development, factors contributing to successful combined libraries, and the ability of libraries to support literacy efforts are discussed. (Contains 29 references.) (KRN)

A project established a lending library of literacy materials for Tri-County Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC) students who attended classes at over 20 satellite locations in Dauphin and Perry Counties, Pennsylvania. A student survey determined the types of materials of most interest. Results were compiled into categories such as:…

The Houston Community College (HCC) 2010-2011 Fact Book provides statistical information about the college district. It is important for the reader to be aware that data presented in this publication may differ slightly from statistics found in other district reports. Such variances may result from differences methodology including the source of…

This paper describes the programs to be undertaken in the State of California for fiscal years 1988-1992, pursuant to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Introductory materials review the LSCA, the State Advisory Council on Libraries, the state's growth and development, a Legislative Statement of Intent, and the State Library's…

This paper describes the programs to be undertaken in the State of California for fiscal years 1989-1993 pursuant to the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Introductory materials review the LSCA, the State Advisory Council on Libraries, the state's growth and development, a Legislative Statement of Intent, and the State Library's…

This publication is intended to assist Wisconsin's public libraries and public library systems in providing service to adults with special needs (ASN). Twelve chapters cover the following topics: (1) planning for success, including planning services and measuring progress; (2) a Wisconsin vision for the future, including creating the vision and…