Public Libraries : The Power Of A Public Library

Evaluation of the Public Library Summer Reading Program: Books and Beyond...Take Me To Your Reader!

The author starts off with a rhetorical question: “What kind of problem is a library?” urging the readers to think about this question as they continue to read the article. The question grabs the readers’ attention, and intrigues them to read on to find and answer. She further utilizes this technique of rhetorical questions throughout the article for the same purpose of emphasis on the vitality of the role of public libraries. Moreover, Smith extensively employs the use of metaphors and personification. For example, she describes the internet as libraries’ “universal death knell”, which portrays the internet’s negative impact on the development of

Those who are unlikely to use e-books are hispanic people without high school diploma, the unemployed, rural Americans, and people who have an income lower than $3,000 and that without libraries the division on who reads e-books and those who don't would be greater(source C). Because of this libraries must work to meet the needs of the middle to low class with physical copies books and the higher middle class and upper class with e-books. This means a lot of money would have to go into updating and keeping accurate books and e-books which would be double the effort than what was needed previously when there were only physical copies of books. Libraries are in a tough spot a to meet these demands since there has no been many budget cuts(source F). If funding is being cut and made smaller than it's going to get harder as years past to keep things up to date in both versions. Libraries need to push to get better funding, create programs that fund themselves, updating to modern ways of reading, and keep traditional reading to keep their important role in society that is meant to advocate

On October 28th, 2015, Lone Star College of Kingwood hosted an event called the human library. It was held on campus for students who were interested to participate. The human library was created for students to gain knowledge of obstacles individuals experienced in life, such as living in the south as a black woman in the 1950’s, being homeless, and being a religion that is frowned upon in society. The purpose of the event is to teach students about other cultures, social classes, and hardship. The speakers inform our generation their own personal experience rather than information in a text book.

As public libraries struggle to remain relevant in today’s society and respond to the changing needs of older adult patrons it is important to become more

The author of this article Mrs. Denise Davis is the director of the Office for Research and Statistics of the American Library Association. This means that Mrs. Davis is able to access and is responsible for the reports mandatory for each library across America to turn in each fiscal year, these reports are used to determine what changes the libraries need to make to better serve the public. Given her credibility to write on such topics she then chooses a topic each year to write on to prepare libraries and librarians across the country for the upcoming years. In 2010 Mrs. Davis choose to write on eBooks and their increasing popularity throughout the American population as well as the difficulties libraries have encountered in the past fiscal year to compete with eBooks. Because this article is written in 2010 it shows just how long libraries have struggled with the topic of eBooks and can demonstrate the new policies that have been used by the libraries throughout the past four years. This information can help my research in showing how eBooks have affected the library's behavior, and consequently give me the statistics needed to show the effects of eBooks on the libraries throughout the recent years. Understanding this source is outdated other sources will also likely be used in my final project from the American Library Association websites of statistics of more recent years.

Furthermore, school library media centers provide students from poverty with access to print and digital information. As a school library media specialist, I will use my expertise in children’s literature and information literacy to lessen the educational gap between high-income and low-income students through providing equitable access to information for all students. Moreover, by pursuing a career as a school library media specialist at the elementary level, I will be able to help early childhood students from diverse backgrounds develop literacy skills. I am seeking a career as a library media specialist to use my expertise as a information professional and the resources of library media centers to empower students through instilling their love of reading and increasing their information literacy to foster educated and empowered school

As new technologies are rapidly introduced, people are able to find any information with the access of internet. This leads to people questioning the relevance of libraries and its true purpose. Public libraries cultivate the value of increased education and a social unity to advancing as a society.

The Long Branch Free Public Library was established 100 years ago with a mission to enrich the lives of Long Branch residents by providing resources and opportunities for life-long learning (Long Branch Free Public Library, n.d.). Currently, the library provides a wide range of services such as a computer lab, employment center, after school youth programs, notary services, faxing, and much more. These features make this library more than just a place to get a book, and the library has been nationally recognized for its innovative services, marking a shift in the idea of what a library can be (Kelly, 2014).

Handout included in curriculum package, Suggested Activities for Libraries and School Library Media Centers, prepared by the National Library Involvement Committee, Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission. (Washington D.C.: Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission),

Chula Vista became the third site in the San Diego County Library system to have an automated “Library To Go” book machine. The “Library To Go” book machine will hold up to 348 items, and the majority of the “Library To Go” book machine’s emphasis is on the newest and most highly demanded titles. The device is stock with books on parenting, healthy lifestyles, and early childhood development as well as youth and teen books. The machine is equipped to allow users to return books, download electronic material, reserve books, and pay fines. Users need only a San Diego County Library card, and the machine is free to use. Due to the demographics of the area, the device will offer a significant number of Spanish-language materials. The kiosk will be touchscreen and simple enough for kids to use. This kiosk extends the library system’s mission to inform, educate, and entertain. Patrons with busy schedules that do not regularly permit library visits will be able to visit the kiosk any time. Chula Vista kiosk is an investment in library services and an effort to remove barriers to information and knowledge.

The mission of the Los Angeles Public Libraries is to provide free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities. Although some may conclude that libraries have transformed into nothing more than civic centers, it is the LAPL’s mission to ensure that the community can attain access to free information and resources needed to sustain and improve the quality of life. It is through LAPLs commitment that the libraries have become a staple in Los Angeles by maintaining collections, acquiring new pieces, staying abreast of current information, within a changing world so that they can provide programs, and services that meet community demands.

Central Idea (Need): The worth of public libraries in America extends far beyond the books they offer; libraries also provide access to computers and internet connections, meeting places for community activities and groups, guidance services for patrons, tutoring programs, and advocacy for child literacy programs. Despite the value of these resources to struggling communities, libraries have seen a decline in both public usage and federal funding in recent years.

Being a librarian and one who has always “had a fascination with gadgets” (Hanson, 2011), and a passion for both information and technology, Hanson states he has been working for five years to find a better way to join technology and information. He notes “libraries and librarians have perceived themselves as subject to near-constant technological upheaval and information revolution, largely due to the rise of microcomputing, desktop computing and Internet connectivity.” (Hanson, 2011) He believes libraries are situated in a place to encourage libraries to provide mobile library services. With nearly all Americans owning cell phones, accessing the internet via their cell phones and tablets and major service providers focusing on mobile applications instead of applications for the PC, Hanson suggests it is time for libraries to also focus their efforts on providing mobile services.

Digital users who are in contact with the libraries services only via "cyberspace" (Gruca, 2010, para. 2) and users who require face-to-face services