From Librarian of Congress, James Billington, to founding director of the Center for the Book, John Cole, the leading-edge information specialists of the day share their insights on the role libraries play in advancing democracy.

This book traces the trajectory of the community archives movement, expanding the definition of community archives to include sites such as historical societies, social movement organisations and community centres. It also explores new definitions of what community archives might encompass, particularly in relation to disciplines outside the archives. Over ten years have passed since the first volume of Community Archives, and inspired by continued research as well as by the formal recognition of community archives in the UK, the community archives movement has become an important area of research, recognition and appreciation by archivists, archival scholars and others worldwide. Increasingly the subject of papers and conferences, community archives are now seen as being in the vanguard of social concerns, markers of community-based activism, a participatory approach exemplifying the on-going evolution of ‘professional’ archival (and heritage) practice and integral to the ability of people to articulate and assert their identity. Community Archives, Community Spaces reflects the latest research and includes practical case studies on the challenges of building and sustaining community archives. This new book will appeal to practitioners, researchers, and academics in the archives and records community as well as to historians and other scholars concerned with community building and social issues.

Tap into the tools, techniques, and resources necessary for enhancing the freshman library experience by utilizing this how-to guide that applies an innovative approach to literacy and library instruction for college freshmen. In recent years, educators have begun to realize the importance of learner-centered programs as pivotal in the academic success of students transitioning from high school to college. This practical guide provides you with detailed plans for designing user-centered literacy and library instruction in your higher education institution—regardless of size. The handbook covers a vast range of learning situations, technologies, and assessment strategies to suit most any environment. Written by seasoned information literacy and instruction librarians, this book addresses the challenges frequently encountered in library-based programs, including staffing deficits, faculty support, effective advocacy of program to campus constituents, and professional burn-out. Real-life examples from a variety of institutions illustrate successful methods for handling spacing, programming, curriculum design, outreach, training, and assessment, among other areas. Included worksheets, handouts, and further readings give you everything you need to create, grow, and sustain a user-based library instruction program.

This blueprint provides a new framework within which to attempt to understand and to plan library services in the future.