Finals week activities have become increasingly popular in academic libraries in the last few years, but what is a library to do when it is not allowed to have therapy dogs? This column examines a progression of increasingly popular activities at Michigan State University Libraries. Included is an assessment of what makes them popular, our…

Including 66 focused snapshots of outreach in action, this resource reflects the creative solutions of librarians searching for new and innovative ways to build programs that meet customer needs while expanding the library's scope into the community. This contributed volume includes: (1) A huge array of program options for partnering with other…

Fewer employees, shorter hours, diminished collection budgets, reduced programs and services--all at a time of record library usage. In this book, library expert Carol Smallwood demonstrates that despite the obvious downsides, the necessity of doing business differently can be positive, leading to partnering, sharing, and innovating. This…

The Dallas Public library served as a catalyst and communication link in a cooperative community effort directed toward increased environmental awareness. This packet contains a brief description of the project as well as material developed by the project. Included are a conference program, reading list, government agency directory, list of…

Discusses a Canadian public library's outreach program, whose objective was to connect with those families who were unable to access the library. Highlights include: the value of partnerships; funding and sponsorships; the visiting library for children; recruitment and training of volunteers; gift books for children; story boxes; community book…

Schools, colleges and universities, and local communities now recognize the key role they play to encourage citizen participation and promote civic engagement. New civic engagement initiatives underway offer perfect opportunities for libraries to fulfill their traditional roles of promoting civic literacy and ensuring an informed citizenry. Today,…

Describes a pilot project in which the Alameda County Library system trained volunteers to present book talks at elementary and junior high schools. The objectives, methods, and success of the training program are discussed, and an address for obtaining a manual and training tapes is provided. (CLB)

Describes how family literacy programs help increase adult literacy levels, broaden reading skills for children, and foster good reading habits for all family members. The recipients of Bell Atlantic/American Library Association Family Literacy Project grants are listed, their programs are summarized, and 11 clues that can help determine a…

This overview of telecommunications in Arizona discusses library telecommunications; state library activities; the Arizona State Public Information Network; higher education projects; community outreach; business and economic development; state telecommunications policy; the paradigm shift in the public's use of telecommunications; community…

"Lively Minds," the Travelling Library Learning Program, involves older adults in Nassau, New York in weekly, 1-hour continuing education programs which use library services and materials for mental stimulation, enjoyment, and empowerment. The overall purpose is to give seniors personal intellectual experiences of the power and resourcefulness of…

This theme issue discusses the special information needs of older adults and library services designed to meet these needs, especially focusing on the problems of mobility, visual, and hearing impairments. Several contracted projects in Illinois, developed to assess and meet the needs of older adults, are also described and evaluated. (CLB)