Scarecrow Press
Pages: 252
Trim: 6 x 9
978-0-8108-9181-4 • Paperback • May 2013 • $74.00 • (£57.00)
978-0-8108-9182-1 • eBook • May 2013 • $70.00 • (£54.00)
Julie Biando Edwards is the Ethnic Studies Librarian and Multicultural Coordinator at the Mansfield Library at The University of Montana in Missoula. Melissa S. Robinson is the Teen Librarian at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, MA. Kelley Rae Unger is the Adult Services Librarian at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, MA.
Foreword by Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Introduction
Part 1
Chapter 1 - Community-Centered Library Services: Their Importance and Relevance
Chapter 2 - Community-Centered Libraries: The Hearts of Revitalized Communities
Chapter 3 - The Future of Libraries, Now
Part 2
Chapter 4 - Allocate the Resources
Chapter 5 - Think Like a Programmer
Chapter 6 - Networking
Chapter 7 - Collaborations
Chapter 8 - Get Grants
Part 3
Chapter 9 - Libraries as Centers of Civic Action
Chapter 10 - Libraries as Centers for Sustainability
Chapter 11 - Libraries as Cultural Reflections of the Community
Chapter 12 - Libraries as Community Centers for Diverse Populations
Chapter 13 - Libraries as Centers for the Arts
Chapter 14 - Libraries as Universities
Chapter 15 - Libraries as Champions of Youth
Conclusion
Authored by the ethnic studies librarian and multicultural coordinator at the Mansfield Library at the University of Montana in Missoula, the teen librarian at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, Massachusetts, and the adult services librarian at the Peabody Institute Library, this work offers 15 chapters organized into 3 parts: the what and why of community-centered libraries, how to create community-centered libraries, and inspiration for community-centered libraries. Intended for the public librarian, 'this work demonstrates how public libraries can position themselves as active and vibrant centers of community life in the twenty-first century' (p. vii). Drawing on real-life examples, the co-authors demonstrate through case studies how libraries of all sizes, demographics, and budgets in the United States can and do work to become community-centered. Drawing on what has already been done, sharing tips, tricks, inspiration, what to do, and what not to do, this book will encourage and enable any public library to become more community-centered. Librarians in other types of libraries can also benefit from selected chapters, based on the community needs, whether looking to find the importance and relevance of being community-centered; how to allocate the resources, collaborate, and obtain grants; or determining how to focus on civic action, sustainability, the arts, or other purposes. Down-to-earth and practical, yet packed with ideas and inspiration, this work is beneficial to any public library’s professional collection.
— American Reference Books Annual