When Oliver began work as a school librarian she felt qualified for the job. What she learned was that librarians are expected to serve as mediators and mental-health-crisis support professionals, customer service reps and administrators of overdose treatment, fierce loyalists to institutionalized mythology and enforced silence, and arms of state surveillance. Here she highlights the national problems that have existed in libraries since they were...

"Sandra Nelson, senior editor of the Results series, focuses on the essential steps for drafting a results-driven, strategic planning process that libraries can complete over the course of four months, regardless of regardless of organizational structure or size. Reflecting on the current planning enviorment for public libraries, Nelson makes the case for strategic rather than long-term planning and includes a wealth of information about understanding...

Starting at a new library as director can be daunting-- and there are things you need to know that will make success easier to achieve. Hall and Parker have compiled a basic toolkit to being the director of a public library, no matter what size. They provide suggestions to help you build your own toolkit, and include sample documents and forms that you can use immediately.--

"Despite dire predictions in the late twentieth century that public libraries would not survive the turn of the millennium, their numbers have only increased. Two of three Americans frequent a public library at least once a year, and nearly that many are registered borrowers. Although library authorities have argued that the public library functions primarily as a civic institution necessary for maintaining democracy, generations of library patrons...

"Presents the highlights of a 1998-2000 IMLS National Leadership Grant, 'Help-seeking in an electronic world: the role of the public library in helping citizens obtain community information over the Internet'" -- p. ii.

These days, many libraries are serving more patrons through their websites than they are through the doors of their physical buildings. Lear shows how to get patrons engaged with the programming that we can offer; the importance of attracting niche audiences; and how to use the technology necessary to plan, promote, produce, and evaluate your programs.

"Digitizing your collection is not only a great way to increase access to your materials, it also engages patrons on a whole new level and helps communicate your library's value. But with staff time and resources already spread thin, it can be a challenge to plan and undertake a digitization initiative. The good news is that public libraries across the country have done just that. Here, the authors share lessons and tips for success, showing the way...