As more and more New Yorkers turn to digital books, Wikipedia and other online tools for information and entertainment, there is a growing sense that the age of the public library is over. But, in reality, New York City's public libraries are more essential than ever. Far from becoming obsolete, the city's three public library systems--Brooklyn,…

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…

The informatics moment is the moment when a person seeks help in using some digital technology that is new to him or her. This article examines the informatics moment in people's everyday lives as they sought help at a branch public library. Four types of literacy were involved: basic literacy (reading and writing), computer literacy (use of a…

This study reports the results of a needs analysis of literacy programs for a library system serving three rural and suburban counties. It examines the computing skills and needs of literacy tutors as well as native-speaking and English language learner (ELL) literacy tutees enrolled in the programs. Paper surveys were mailed to tutors, who were…

This article presents the results of a study into the provision of Internet training for adult public library clients. The study, which was completed in 2008, forms part of a larger investigation into the characteristics, preferences and needs of adult public library clients in New South Wales. The aim of this section of the investigation is to…

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…

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…

This document records testimony given in the state of Montana before three members of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education on the reauthorization of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). (The first and still the largest federal program of assistance specifically for public libraries, LSCA is…

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…

Examines the public library's role in adult literacy education in Australia in the past decade. Identifies areas of library services and staff training that need to change in response to the need of literacy programs. (SK)

Prison librarians usually work in isolation from other librarians, so getting information and advice about their jobs can be difficult. This book offers a guide to prison librarians, presents new ideas, and raises compelling issues about this field of librarianship. Ten current or former prison librarians cover all aspects of prison libraries and…

This proceedings from the 1991 Iowa Governor's Pre-White House Conference on Library and Information Services contains a conference overview; a list of conference delegates; the conference program; national, state, and local recommendations made at the conference; and the keynote address by Nicky Stanke. The following issues were addressed in the…

Report on the role of public library services in adult literacy education highlights the nature of service clientele, literacy program development in the United States and Australia, literacy research projects, patterns of service, library collection development, and librarian training. Footnotes are given. (EJS)

The provision of reading materials through a simple rural library service in Rhodesia was considered to be useful in helping to create a literate environment. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a rural library did, in fact, accomplish this end. The secondary purpose was to determine the profile characteristics of…

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…