As part of its mission to support public libraries, Libraries for the Future—known until recently as Americans for Libraries Council—sponsors research and cross-disciplinary discussion on a range of issues relevant to libraries and society today. All reports are available for free download below. Topics covered include:
• Economic Valuation
• Health Information Services in Public Libraries
• Libraries and Productive Aging
• Innovation and Change in American Libraries
• Intergenerational and Intercultural Reading/Discussion Programs in Libraries.
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Published May 5, 2007 |
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Worth Their Weight: An Assessment of the Evolving Field of Library Valuation
LFF's newest report offers researchers and advocates an overview of the cutting-edge field of library valuation, or models for expressing a library's multiple contributions to its community in dollars and cents.
Download the Report (PDF, 5 MB, 104 pages) updated May 21, 2007
Resources to accompany the report (PDF):
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Library Valuation:
an Effective Advocacy Tool?
On June 25, 2007, a joint LFF/IMLS Panel Discussion was held at the Annual ALA Conference.
The panel was moderated by Kendall Wiggin, Connecticut State Librarian. Panelists included:
- José-Marie Griffiths of University of North Carolina;
- Jennifer Arns of University of South Carolina (and co-author of Worth Their Weight);
- Barbara Cole, Pennsylvania State Library;
- Amy Johnson, Florida State Library;
- Kevin Verbesey, Suffolk Cooperative Library System of New York
Representatives reported on
the studies’ impact and explored new opportunities for dialogue between library
researchers, library leaders, and
library advocates on the subject
of economic valuation.
Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation and notes from the session.
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From Good To Great: A Competitive Library for a Competitive City
An Assessment of Louisville Free Public Library
by Americans for Libraries Council
The Louisville Free Public Library commissioned this study from Americans for Libraries Council--now known as Libraries for the Future (LFF)--to answer two key questions: (1) Can the LFPL move from good to great and (2) if so, what will it take? To answer these questions, LFF draws upon planning studies concerning the future of Louisville and the LFPL, its own knowledge of current library developments, and recent research studies by LFF and other national organizations. The resulting report evaluates the library’s capacity to grow from many perspectives and concludes with “the possibility for LFPL not only to be a top-tier library but also to be a global leader… with new public investment commensurate with the city’s needs and vision.”
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Community Health Connections: Emerging Models of Health Information Services in Public Libraries
Based on the Langeloth Forum on Libraries and Health Information
by William Zeisel
Download the Report (PDF, 2.6 MB, 74 pages)
Sections (PDF):
• Cover and Back Page
• Introductions
• Outreach to the Underserved
• Bridging the Academic- Community Gap
• Consumer Health Information Centers
• Electronic Information Centers
• Partnerships and Coalitions
• Youth-Oriented Programs
• State Library Initiatives
• Training Programs
• Special Presentations
• Forum Agenda and Participants
Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging
by William Zeisel
Our report from the 2005 Library Leaders Forum, sponsored by ALC--now known as LFF (Libraries for the Future)--and IMLS, calls for libraries to meet the "aging opportunity" with dynamic programs for baby boomers and other active adults re-imagining aging and creative retirement.
Download the Report (PDF, 1.8 MB, 44 pages)
Libraries for the Future: Innovation in Action
by Nina Sonenberg
Our history of 13 years of library innovation captures the public library's growing roles in emergent literacy, health, lifelong learning, technology, and other 21st century concerns, with specific information on EqualAccess, Family Place, Lifelong Access, Reading America, and other signature programs of Libraries for the Future.
Download the Report (PDF, 3.9 MB, 37 pages)
Sections (PDF):
• Cover and Intro
• Family Place Libraries
• Expanding Outreach
• Community Access
• The Guiding Principles of EqualAccess Libraries
• Arizona and Lifelong Access Libraries
• Health Access
• Reading America
• Strengthening Advocacy
• The Civic Library
• Partners
• Publications
• Funders
The Reading America Toolkit: How to Plan and Implement an Intergenerational and Intercultural Reading and Discussion
Program at Your Library
by William Zeisel and Elissa Young
A step-by-step guide to creating powerful programs around book and film discussions, with site profiles and tips from dozens of successful programs.
Download the Report (PDF, 3.2 MB, 74 pages)
Sections (PDF):
• Cover
• About Reading America
• Getting Started
• Creating the Programming
• Doing Outreach
• Raising Public Awareness
• Putting on the Event
• Documenting and Evaluating the Program
• Supporting Materials
• Resources and References
• Program Descriptions
• About LFF |
