How do afterschool programs view their local public libraries? Are they working with them, and in what ways? These are the questions that the Afterschool Alliance, along with its partners at the Space Science Institute's National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) and the American Library Association, wanted to answer. Overall, the goal is to…

This paper examines the idea, commonly expressed in the Library and Information Services (LIS) literature, that public libraries have a growing role as developers of social capital, and brings to bear some of the growing body of research into public libraries and social capital. It reviews definitions of social capital by writers outside the LIS…

On 1 January 2012, early-childhood and out-of-school-hours care services were mandated to begin working under a new framework, designed to deliver greater consistency in service provision across the sector. With the aim of raising quality and driving continuous improvement through consistency among services and service ratings, the National…

This article assesses developments in public library provision for Black and minority ethnic [BME] communities in the UK since the publication in 1969 of the results of research into the needs of "Indian and Pakistani communities". It includes a brief discussion of some major societal issues, and then sets public library services in this…

The American Library Association encourages public libraries to extend their services to people in jails and detention centers, but there is little research that shows exactly how many libraries do so. Research shows that 54% of juveniles arrested are not sent to residential facilities but instead receive court ordered probation into an Intensive…

Under the auspices of the International Reading Association, an evaluation was conducted of Rural Education and Development (READ) program of creating community libraries in Nepal. READ set out to address the high rates of illiteracy and poverty in Nepal through the development of these libraries. To examine READ's approach, a team of…

This article discusses the current status of teens in society. The article reports that half of all teens have been affected by the divorce of their parents; one in five lives in poverty; and approximately one in six suffers from depression. Thirty-five percent of teenage girls get pregnant at least once before age 20. This article discusses ways…

Vision impairment affects approximately 17% of Americans age 45 and older. Yet, 94% of adults with self-reported vision loss did not receive any type of vision rehabilitation services to help them retain independence. These findings underscore the need for promoting awareness about what can be done when vision fails. A national dissemination…

This compilation of primarily narrative reports from 24 federal projects funded by the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) and administered by the California State Library covers the period 1985-1987, with further reports to be published approximately every other year. Each report--excerpted from a standardized summary report form--is…

This report provides information on consumer health pilot projects completed in 1983 by two New York state public library systems, the Nioga Library System and the Onondaga County Public Library. Serving as a "how-to" guide, the report explores the rise of the public's interest in consumer health issues. Both projects explain how they established…

Summarizes reasons for evaluating library literacy programs and the role of evaluation in the planning process. What to measure is discussed, and sample measures for library collections, support services, and direct instruction are listed. Issues to be considered in developing program objectives and evaluation strategies are also addressed. (10…

As the community's richest information and learning resource center, the public library is an essential partner of parents and schools in achieving the national education goals. The public library could help reinforce teaching and assist parents in preparing young children for school. Adequate funding is necessary for public libraries' continued…

Discusses a bill introduced in the January 1999 session of the Connecticut General Assembly that involves collaboration among community agencies to create additional after-school programs for children and improve upon existing ones. Presents details of one Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) member's testimony and her account of…

This report includes national and state summary data on public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with an introduction, selected findings, and tables. The report is based on data from the Public Libraries Survey for fiscal year 2005, and includes information on service measures such as number of users of electronic resources,…

Examines how the libraries of Dade, Broward, and Collier counties have responded with user-centered services to meet the diverse needs of South Florida's Hispanic population. The services are tailored to each system's population, provide services integral to ongoing operations, establish outreach efforts, and bring library services to the people.…