Libraries transform communities by providing well-organized information resources and services. Conversely, communities can also transform libraries if librarians appreciate the rich diversity of the communities' information needs, acting as bridges between communities as well as enabling and facilitating community-building. The roles of…

Both a description of the development of the community library in Olney, Texas, and an evaluation of its services are provided in this report on the merger of the town's three school libraries and one public library. The four libraries, which were all small, inadequate, underbudgeted, and understaffed, were run as a single unit from 1974 until…

From 1974 to 1979, the town of Olney, Texas, operated a single library which combined the functions, but not the collections, of their elementary, junior, and senior high schools, and public libraries. In June of 1979, they dedicated a new building which merged the collections of these libraries. Data for this evaluation and assessment of the…

Describes how multicultural library services have contributed to the promotion, support, and preservation of the cultural and linguistic identity of the community being served, using the Public Library of Scarborough in Ontario (Canada) as a case study. Observation reveals the importance of commitment, planning, and methodology. (SLD)