Research
LFF Reports
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.
New!
Published May 5, 2007
worth their weight cover
Worth Their Weight: An Assessment of the Evolving Field of Library Valuation
LFF/ALC’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):
Executive Summary of Worth Their Weight
Fact Sheet: 6 Things Every Library Needs to Know About Economic Valuation
Fact Sheet: Key Findings from the Report
Fact Sheet: Key Recommendations
Library Valuation:
an Effective Advocacy Tool?
On June 25, 2007, a joint ALC/IMLS Panel Discussion was held at the Annual ALA Conference. The panel was moderated by Kendall Wiggin, Connecticut State Librarian. Panelists included:
РJos̩-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.
Public Libraries and Their Contribution
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 ALC 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, ALC draws upon planning studies concerning the future of Louisville and the LFPL, its own knowledge of current library developments, and recent research studies by ALC 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.
kids in green
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
kids in green
Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging
by William Zeisel
Our report from the 2005 Library Leaders Forum, sponsored by ALC 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)
kids in green
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
kids in green
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
