Porter Memorial Branch Library Awarded LEED Gold certification [Newton County, GA}

“In many ways, Porter Memorial represents the past, present and future for Newton County,” said Library Director Lace Keaton. “One of the county’s goals for the Porter branch was to set an example for the environmentally conscious design of future buildings throughout the state. In addition to offering state-of-the-art library services, the building itself can actually be used as a teaching tool for sustainable design, renewability and the role architecture can play in preserving our environment.”

 

The Porter Memorial Branch Library was officially awarded LEED Gold certification Wednesday, becoming the second library in Georgia to receive that level of environmental honor.

Vernon Area Public Library (IL) is 2011 “Not-for-Profit Business of the Year”

The Greater Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce (GLCC) has named the Vernon Area Public Library as their 2011 “Not-for-Profit Business of the Year” in honor of the library’s exemplary business practices, community involvement, customer service, and innovation.

“We are pleased to be recognized for our connections with the community,” said Library Director Cynthia Fuerst. “Our staff and Library Board of Trustees work hard to provide excellent resources and customer service to our individual and business patrons.”

Sno-Isle Libraries (WA): “Issues That Matter”

A screening and discussion of a new PBS documentary, “Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness,” is planned for the Langley Library.
The screening is part of Sno-Isle Libraries’ “Issues That Matter” series of programs to encourage community dialogue.
“Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness” tells the story of residents of a Long Island village taking action after an immigrant is killed in a hate crime attack by seven teenagers. The film offers a blueprint for people who want to do something before intolerance turns to violence.
The hour-long documentary, narrated by Alfre Woodard, will be followed by a discussion about what folks can do to stop hate in their community. Communities across the country use the film to initiate dialogue about intolerance and anti-immigrant violence.

Museums and Community Engagement

Museums & Community Resolution

The American Association of Museums urges all museums to embrace their responsibility to be active and collaborative civic institutions and to respond to the aspirations and needs of citizens in their communities.

Librarians as Change Agents “Community Development as a Mode of Community Analysis”-Margaret E. Monroe, 1976.

Classic work for community building. Public librarians discussed as change agents.

“Community Development as a Mode of Community Analysis”-Margaret E. Monroe.

Library Trends  (January, 1976): pp. 497-514.

The Change Agent: Librarians, Libraries and Learners

The Change Agent is a biannual newspaper for adult educators and learners published since 1994 by the New England Literacy Resource Center atWorld Education.

Strategies That Public Libraries Use to Build Communities

Strategies That Public Libraries Use to Build Communities

Rachel Scott
Public Library Quarterly 
Vol. 30, Iss. 4, 2011

Abstract

This article is a companion to “The Role of Public Libraries in Community Building,” which appeared in Public Library Quarterly 30, no. 3. That article explored five facets of public libraries as agencies of community building: (1) how libraries serve as a conduit to access information and to learn, (2) how libraries encourage social inclusion and equity, (3) how libraries foster civic engagement, (4) how libraries create a bridge to resources and community involvement, and (5) how libraries promote economic vitality within the community. The goal of this article is to provide concrete examples of library community building. The focus here, therefore, is on the specific strategies that libraries employed to create and operate library programs that effectively built a library community.

IMLS Releases New Five Year Strategic Plan

Creating a Nation of Learners

Washington, DC—December 2, 2011.  IMLS Director Susan Hildreth released the agency’s new strategic plan for FY 2012 – FY 2016. The plan envisions a democratic society where communities and individuals thrive with broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage and lifelong learning. The new plan identifies the mission of IMLS to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, learning, and cultural and civic engagement by providing leadership through research, policy development and grant-making.

The planning process, launched in June 2011, with the National Museum and Library Services Board, engaged a wide range of stakeholders including more than 1,400 participants in an online forum. It provides a roadmap to implement the Museum and Library Services Act which recognizes that U.S. libraries and museums are powerful national assets with capacity that must be developed and fully used to enhance economic development and lifelong learning.

“Rapidly changing economic, demographic and technological conditions are creating demand for new library and museum services, noted Ms. Hildreth. ” This plan will help IMLS carry out its important federal mandate to help America create 21^st century institutions that provide the essential educational and cultural opportunities we need for a competitive future.”

The strategic plan establishes a clear framework for performance improvement that emphasizes evidence-based program development and evaluation and includes identifying and sharing best practices; aligning grant-making to best practices and research results; networking to build capacity; and assessing progress.

Five strategic goals will drive IMLS activities and investments:

Strategic Goal 1: IMLS places the learner at the center and supports engaging experiences in libraries and museums that prepare people to be full participants in their local communities and our global society.

Strategic Goal 2: IMLS promotes museums and libraries as strong community anchors that enhance civic engagement, cultural opportunities, and economic vitality.

Strategic Goal 3: IMLS supports exemplary stewardship of museum and library collections and promotes the use of technology to facilitate discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage.

Strategic Goal 4: IMLS advises the President and Congress on plans, policies, and activities that sustain and increase public access to information and ideas.

Strategic Goal 5: IMLS achieves excellence in public management and performs as a model organization through strategic alignment of IMLS resources and prioritization of programmatic activities, maximizing value for the American public.

To read more about the IMLS Strategic Plan see www.imls.gov/plan.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services  The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visitwww.imls.gov.