In this policy brief, the authors examine and provide examples of the ways that public libraries have become invaluable partners in supporting family STEM learning. Although emerging research points to the strong influence of families on children's growth and development, a focus on joint parent and child STEM learning is still nascent. This brief…

Passage of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in 2000 established requirements for public libraries and schools to adopt Internet filters on their computers in order to receive federal funding. That has firmly, if unintentionally, established the World Wide Web as a no man's land in public education, where few are allowed to tread…

Jane Maud Campbell's career demonstrated her commitment and passion for library services with immigrants and minorities as one of the first advocates for multiculturalism in librarianship. She began her career working in the Newark Public Library and soon was employed as the librarian of the Passaic Public Library. She was the first woman employed…

Games and other forms of play are used in today's libraries to attract underserved patrons, to introduce patrons to other library resources and services, and to facilitate engagement between library patrons. While many perceive gaming as a new library service, gaming services have been part of librarianship since the nineteenth century through…

Touch-screen technologies, on-demand multimedia, and mobile devices are prompting a rethinking of education. In a world of increasing fiscal constraints, state leaders are under pressure to capitalize on these new technologies to improve productivity and help students excel. The task is daunting across the education spectrum, but for those in…

This study has been undertaken to determine the library needs of Auburn, Massachusetts, and to analyze the existing library services. The community analysis includes use of the 1970 U.S. Census, interviews and other available data and the survey of the library includes samples of the circulation, registration, and shelf list, and analysis of the…

The history of the Boston Public Library collections in the fine arts and music is summarized. Suggestions are given for coordinating the library's research and popular library services. (PF)

The origins of public support for libraries in Massachusetts during the early to mid 1800's is discussed. Records indicate that the origins of the public library movement stem from a public feeling of need rather than elitism, philanthropy, or preservation of the status quo. (JPF)

In Massachusetts municipalities there exists the need to develop at the policy-making, fiscal and administrative levels, an awareness, understanding and knowledge of the functions, objectives and roles of both the public library and the school media program in relation to children and young adults. To this end there should be joint administrative…

Librarians in Stamford, Waterbury, Syracuse, and Southbridge (Massachusetts) are all involved in a program called Literacy Volunteers of America. This private nonprofit agency has one overriding concern, and that is to help adults and teenagers who are inadequate readers, or "functional illiterates." (Author)

A hands-on workshop simulated a library disaster and demonstrated the best strategies for salvaging library materials. Participants learned how to assess the available personnel and materials, the nature and extent of a disaster, and how to decide on a recovery strategy. (EM)

Criteria have been developed to determine the adequacy of public library services and establish priorities for awarding grants to municipalities under the Library Services and Construction Act. Special groups designated for funding consideration under Title I include municipalities in low-income areas, institutional residents, and physically…

As a foundation for the future plans of the Leominster (Massachusetts) Public Library, a study was undertaken to: (1) analyze the physical, economic, and demographic characteristics of the community and their implication for library service; (2) evaluate present library services and identify unfilled needs; and (3) identify goals and objectives to…

This brief article reports on the 12th national Association of College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) conference held April 7-10, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. William Mitchell, head of the media arts and sciences program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an architecture professor provided the conference attendees with the opening…

The Massachusetts Public Library Materials Conservation Project was a year-long program sponsored by the Massachusetts Bureau of Library Extension and conducted by the New England document Conservation Center (NEDCC) under a grant from Title I, Library Services and Construction Act. Its purposes were to provide public library administrators,…