Public libraries have embraced the popularity of maker education and makerspaces by integrating maker education in their program offerings, and by developing makerspaces that enable patrons to tinker and create products. But less attention has been paid to supporting librarians and maker educators in assessing the impact of these spaces. To expand…

Public libraries that engage and employ teenagers can realize mutual benefits, including meaningful activities for young people and strengthened ties between libraries and their communities. This report summarizes both the potential benefits and challenges learned from Wallace's Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development initiative. The…

Examines literature on latchkey children and public libraries, and reviews solutions to this issue. Presents four recommendations to help public libraries clarify their role in serving latchkey children: educate personnel regarding appropriate services, develop a written policy, reevaluate programs and services, become involved in a community task…

This report on continuing library education in Idaho is divided into three parts. The first part is an evaluation of the state's first three-year continuing education plan. The evaluation, which showed that librarians found the effort to be an unqualified success, was carried out by interviewing librarians and reviewing plan objectives. The second…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

Current trends in public library reference service include use of online systems; budget constraints in public sector; increased service; use, training, and supervision of paraprofessionals; centralized organization of reference service; participation in management of reference services; and more realistic attempts at measurement and evaluation of…

The California State Library convened the Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population with the goal of creating a vision of public library service in California. Over 100 library leaders and supporters gathered for two days of meetings and work sessions. These proceedings are designed to give a detailed…

Describes the development of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System's live, online chat reference service, a pilot project for public libraries in Suffolk County (New York). Topics include chat software selection; a virtual reference collection; marketing; funding; staffing; evaluation; expanded hours of service; email; and extracting data from…

The ACCESS video tape series was designed as continuing education for librarians working in public libraries in rural areas of the Rocky Mountain and Plains states. Twelve documentary style and four panel shows were produced. A study guide supplemented the video material and included program outlines and further discussion suggestions. All tapes…

Describes the minority internship program at the Bowling Green State University library from the intern's perspective. Highlights include working at various branch libraries as well as a public library; library staff orientation; committee work to promote multiculturalism; and personal assessment of the program. (LRW)

During the last decade, research has become increasingly important to the profession of librarianship. Seven library schools now have doctoral programs, foundation grants have stimulated and supported scores of major projects, and the research method has been recognized as an accepted technique for solving library problems. The increasing volume…