Publications

As part of its mission to support public libraries, Americans for Libraries Council sponsors research and cross-disciplinary discussion on a range of issues relevant to libraries and society today. Reports published prior to 2001 were overseen by the Council's predecessor and current program division, Libraries for the Future.

You may see our archived and in-progress reports here.

• Community Health Connections: Emerging Models of Health Information Services in Public Libraries

• Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging

• From Good To Great: A Competitive Library for a Competitive City

• Libraries for the Future: Innovation in Action

• Long Overdue

• The Reading America Toolkit

• Worth Their Weight: An Assessment of the Evolving Field
of Library Valuation

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)

• 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

PDF, 74 pages total

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, 45 pages)

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.”

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)

• 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

PDF, 37 pages total

Long Overdue
A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century

This ALC-sponsored study, conducted by Public Agenda and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that libraries are poised to lead the way to solutions to today’s pressing community problems. These challenges include providing a safe and engaging place for teens, building a strong and literate workforce, and extending access to technology. Taking on such challenges is also the best bet for libraries to strengthen their communities and their own funding futures.

Download the Report (2 MB)

• 2-Page Summary
• 5 Things Civic Leaders Should Know About Libraries
• Libraries & Business
• Libraries & Technology
• Libraries & Teens
• Order Print Copy

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)

• 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

PDF, 74 pages total

Published May 5, 2007
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