Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Sense of community -- Many dimensions of community -- Diverse communities: Challenge to community building -- Visions of community: Toward comprehensiveness and a library presence -- Factors for successful community building: How the work of librarians fits -- Librarians who build community: Voices from the front lines -- Cybercommunity building and librarians -- Closing the circle: Connecting the public library transformation process to community building -- New models of work: Librarian at every table -- Power dies the moment action ceases -- Index.
Summary:
While libraries deliver a vital public service within diverse communities, they are often invisible in the community development process initiated by civic planners, activists, and local government officials. Award-winning librarian, educator, author, and activist, Kathleen de la Pena McCook challenges librarians everywhere to get involved early by demanding a place at the community planning and development table. Describing the experiences and insights of librarians who have blazed trails of community involvement and development around the country, McCook outlines practical ways to: Become involved in policy making early and build a grassroots campaign; Connect with powerful partners in the community visioning process; Promote the tangible strengths and assets of the library.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.