Introduction: This paper investigates participatory practices in library activities for young children and their care-givers in a specific cultural context. Method: Using an ethnographic approach data were collected through participant observations of songtimes for babies and toddlers, and interviews and group interviews with staff and…

Stories contain the wisdom of the world, teaching cultural values. Story builds community, celebrates cultural diversity, and preserves cultural identity. Where truth has been suppressed, story is an instrument of epiphany. Storytelling builds literacy skills, and develops metaphorical understanding. A storytelling center in Canada had been a…

Museums play an important role in the transmission of culture and traditions and provide a collective memory of a community. A number of museum related institutions, known as the Science Centra, have arisen to offer self-directed learning activities in problem solving and understanding the processes related to everyday life. In a modern society,…

The incoherences and the ambiguities of Africa's educational system in which, especially at its higher level, a real African life does not exist result from institutions aimed more at transplanting a European pattern (or an American pattern) rather than implanting the university in the life of African countries and adjusting to African needs. The…

In the first of two speeches presented here, Genevieve M. Casey examines alternate futures for the public library, on the assumption that, if it is to remain viable, the public library must move forward in not one, but several directions, or futures. Of the many possibilities, Ms. Casey selects four already-functioning concepts as the most clearly…

This paper describes the collaborative work between an art historian/curator and a visual artist exploring the often trouble relationship between artists and curators. The common idea emerging from both perspectives was that of the museum, both as an image and an institution. The paper examines the history of the museum as an institution and how…

This paper proposes that a general framework of moral education, namely Thomas Green's "voices of conscience" can provide a starting point for exploring the role of moral education in museums. The first part of the paper summarizes Green's framework and discusses how that framework can be applied to education in museums. The second part…

Many educators look upon schools as the exclusive site at which meaningful learning can take place. Those educators would benefit from seeing the possibilities offered by non-school environments. This paper argues that the museum is a full-fledged educational institution, and focuses on how the museum may be seen as a site for the inquiries of…

The six papers in this collection were presented at three sections of the Division of Regional Activities: (1) "A la recherche d'Approches adaptees aux Besoins en Documentation des Africains (In Search of an Approach Adapted to the Information Needs of Africans)" (Touria Temsamani Haji, Morocco); (2) "People's Libraries: An African…

Despite an upsurge of public interest in the arts, cultural organizations in the United States are experiencing a grave financial crisis. This paper cites facts and figures that indicate traditional funding sources are inadequate to withstand the pressures of spiraling costs and dwindling resources, state arts appropriations are discouragingly…

The Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, North Carolina) uses public history to educate people about southern Appalachian history and culture. The Mountain Heritage Center is a museum and research center established to collect, interpret, and disseminate knowledge about the southern Appalachian region. The Center…

A number of community resources available for utilization by the foreign language teacher in the Denver area are listed here, and specific suggestions are made for teachers interested in exploring the resources of their own communities. It is recommended that schools and universities, bilingual-bicultural programs and/or agencies, and cultural…

Presents three conference papers from the Association of Library and Information Science Education 1990 Annual Conference that deal with the role of qualitative research in information settings. Highlights include qualitative methodology in cultural institutions; emphasizing the user; and two studies on information management, one using…

This paper asserts that interactive exhibits are more than just hands-on activities but utilize a range of techniques. The variety of techniques is explained with examples of various types of exhibits to involve the visitor in learning more about the exhibit. The paper presents several examples that strike a balance between educating in history…

This paper discusses the role of black cultural centers on university campuses, focusing on whether black cultural centers or multicultural centers best meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body and society. It examines the historical role of black cultural centers as vehicles to promote educational opportunity, student retention, and…