ERIC ED357759: Libraries: Key to Democracy. The Governor's Conference on the Future of Libraries (Las Vegas, Nevada, May 9-11, 1990).

27 Pages·1991·0.63 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUPIE
ED 357 759
IR 054 567
TITLE
Libraries: Key to Democracy. The Governor's
Conference on the Future of Libraries (Las Vegas,
Nevada, May 9-11, 1990).
INSTITUTION
Nevada State Library and Archives, Carson City.
PUB DATE
91
NOTE
27p.
PUB TYPE
Viewpoints (Opinion/Position Papers, Essays, etc.)
(120) -- Reports - Descriptive (141)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Access to Information; *Conferences; Democracy;
Futures (of Society); *Librarian Attitudes; Library
Automation; *Library Planning; Library Role; Library
Services; Literacy; *Long Range Planning; Policy
Formation; Productivity; *Public Opinion;
Questionnaires; School Libraries; *State Libraries;
State Surveys
IDENTIFIERS
*Nevada; Professional Image
ABSTRACT
This report discusses the recent Governor's
Conference, as well as the activities of Nevada's library community
in addressing the national conference theme of literacy,
productivity, and democracy in library and information services.
Triefly highlighted are the discussion
papers presented at the
conference; the forums that addressed key library issues; and the
results of a questionnaire sent to 21,000 citizens assessing public
attitudes, preferences, opinions, and behavior toward Nevada's
libraries. "Speakouts on Libraries," old-fashioned town meetings
of
Nevada citizens during which participants were urged to
express their
ideas, concerns, and interests about the future of Nevada's
libraries, are also described. Proposed topics for the Governor's
Conference are listed; and strategies for the
year 2000 presented
during the conference in order to help management personnel,
librarians, political leaders, and citizens adapt
to change brought
about by technological innovations and the
economy are summarized.
Finally, the report provides the resolutions adopted
during the
conference on the following topics: library staffing, continuing
education for library staff, interlibrary cooperation,
resource
sharing, technology, information access, library image, the
role of
libraries in building business partnerships, the role
of libraries as
cultural centers, the role of libraries in the educational
process,
services to special populations, literacy, school libraries,
and
funding. (GU)
***********************************************************************
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best *hat
can be made
from the original document.
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CENTER (ERIC)
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0 This aocument has been reproduced as
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Points of view or opinions stated in this docu-
ment do not necessarily represent official
OERI position or policy
ey to ,Democrac
raries:
The Governor's Conference non the Future of Libraries
'
Niay 9-11, 1990
Las Vtgas, Nevada.
..
'
o
.
'
O
DEMOCRACY
rITERACY
.
PRODUCTIVITY
,.
N.)
The White House Conference on Library and information Services
Washington, D.C.
July 9-13, 1991
7
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Allison Cowgill
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
REST COPY AVAILABLE
"'
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
ON LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
July 9
13, 1991
NEVADA DELEGATES
Michael I. Buckley
Vivian L. Freeman
Clark 'Danny" Lee
Marie S. Jordan
455 Blue Spruce Rd.
Assemblywoman
LV-CCLD Trustee
LV-Clark Co. Library
P. 0. Box 18394
1665 Carlin St.
2560 S. Maryland
951 W. Lake Mead
Reno, NV 89511
Reno, NV 89503
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Las Vegas, NV, 89106
GENERAL PUBLIC
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
LIBRARY SUPPORTER
LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL
.
NEVADA ALTERNATES
. y.
:::
:::::::::
v
s.
:::
v.
Sandy Akins
Jeffrey M. Kintop
Diana R. Wilson
Joyce C. Lee
c/o Washoe County
NV State Library
NV State Library
LV-CCLD Trustee
and Archives
and Archives
Library
3717 Rosecrest Cr. S
P. 0. Box 2151
Capitol Complex
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Capitol Complex
Carson City, NV
Reno, NV 89511
Carson City, NV
SUSI
AVAii.ABLE
OVERVIEW FROM THE STATE LIBRARIAN
Resolutions passed by delegates to the
When Congress authorized a White House
Conference on Library and
1990 Governor's Conference on the Future
Information
Services to be held in Washington, D.C. in
of Libraries described many of the needs of
libraries and proposed some
the
Nevada
community
1991,
Nevada's
library
however, only the
responded
enthusiastically
and quickly, solutions.
This
is,
We have
holding the second state conference in the
beginning of process.
the
nation. A year of activities centered around
completed an intense year-long program to
identify our needs. Our libraries must now
the national conference themes of Literacy,
meet the challenge to develop plans and
Productivity and Democracy. Our eagerness
to participate in these activities statewide
implement strategies to meet these needs,
working in cooperation with our citizens,
was partially predicated on the success of
public officials and Delegates to the 1991
our first Governor's Conference held in 1978
in preparation for the 1979 White House
White House Conference on Libraries.
It is
Delegates assembled from
with deep appreciation that I acknowledge
Conference.
of several hundred of
around the state became long-term library
participation
the
Nevada's citizens in this process and our
advocates, and the resolutions they passed
Conference Delegates for their time and
became the basis for planning for the rapid
growth
development
of
dedication.
Nevada's
and
libraries in the 1980's. We expect no less
from the results of our efforts reported here.
The 90's will be an era of unparalleled
change and growth even more dependent
on information services. Panelists and guest
speakers at the conference have pointed out
services must become more user
that
friendly; special populations, such as the
aging, immigrants, and minorities, must
receive special services; the collections of
public school libraries must be updated.
Libraries will play a key role in
lifelong
learning and workplace training.
Futurist
Paul Shay pointed out that high mobility of
the American population will
necescffate
information and its sources to follow people,
requiring a new information infrastructure.
that
says
become
He
libraries
will
information utilities, facilitating global access
to information via interfaces.
4 .;
Al9
STATE LIBRARIAN JOAN KERSCHNER
DISCUSSION PAPERS
Libraries: Keytow
otDemocracy
tae Goyentor
1:424
Thirty-seven discussion papers on the state
A
of library service in Nevada were authored
The papers
by librarians and scholars.
DISCUSSION PAPERS
covered a broad spectrum of topics and
included useful information, creative ideas
Edited by
and a host of recommendations. They took
Beanie Becidey
a critical look at the delivery of relevant
Nosed* State Library and Archives
library services to a growing, changing
population and illuminated key issues in
Regional Editors
library development. Some of the papers
Carol Madsen
Northeast
Edger Nktot
were informative on types of libraries and
Gretchen DeRleca
Nord...est
others were about issues or problems facing
Chuck Manley
Each contributed to
Symms &wolf
libraries in the future.
511614111
Nancy Muter
the understanding of libraries and library
service. They were offered to Conference
February, 1914
Delegates and to libraries and librarians
throughout Nevada.
"Libraries and schools need to
become cultural centers, theaters,
studies,
laboratories,
forums,
kitchens, recreational facilities, talk
part-time
shows, and
even
ht
indeed, homes
residence halls,
where the disciplines are brought
together to share viewpoints, to
discourse on universal themes, to
speculate on possibilities, to argue
to
commitments,
about
moral
elaborate on value systems, to
demonstrate, to heal, to create, to
to mentor, to
to
tutor,
inspire,
father, to nurture and to celebrate."
Eyda McNulty
"The Humanities and Libraries."
Bonnie Buckley
Discussion Paper Editor
2
REST COPY AVAILABLE
KEY ISSUE FORUMS
Key Issue Forums on significant
library issues were held in Reno,
711 Goviimors Confonnce on
Elko and Las Vegas. The forums
the Futon of Meads* Prosentr
were open to the public and
highlighted
of
concern
issues
within each region.
Hosted by
GROWTH
public, university and community
college libraries, the Key Issue
LOCUM OR BOOM?
Forums presented overviews of the
issues, perspectives from experts,
PANELISTS INCLIJOID,
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF
MoIM Sat.*/
GROWTH FOR THE LAS
audience
and
participation
in
Camet Summed.
Ecormenc l'essocn. -NLV
VEGAS AREA?
developing
recommended
All*BY tial
C;Omwrrnere 1111100110mte .1 Groom
Los voccs C.,:v Mc:now
WHO WILL PAY THE
In Reno, the Washoe
solutions.
Penn 01110,1
COSTS OF GROWTH?
ArtOrrollY cmes Awn= Ct 10w/it/ C.Ns
$(0.1h Monopeften. Cramarcs"
County Library presented Libraries
Pemmo Waal
HOW CAN LIBRARIES
Sanwa Aftrocier
Los vel= .:ate/DM/
and.Growth; Libraries as the Key to
COPE?
Mare Dale Oacon
=loccr. -NLV LIstay
Lifelong Learning and Childcare
Cholas MIA,IMIMIC
Won*soay. January 17
Ora. Las SlocK1.7oN Cis
7pm
and Children's Programming.
_weft Com/
Humanities Building,
.41111 AMWOLst
Room 109.UNLV
4S-PIIISZent.
o. Devamorree. AurNmIld
For Information
Curt Welivich
Call Clark County Library
DOSCTO( ot AMGmmol T=S130r101011
733.3603
CcanCi.
In Las Vegas, the Las Vegas-Clark
County Library District presented
Searching
for
Solutions:
The
Homeless in Libraries. The James
Dickinson
Library
presented
Growth was a topic
of major
Growth: Boom or Doom and the
concern as citizens gathered to
Learning Resources Center at the
Clark County Community College
for
discuss the
need
library
sponsored 'Technology: Tool or
services to accommodate a rapidly
Elko, the Learning
expanding
Tyrant."
population.
The
In
Resources Center at the Northeast
population
Vegas
Las
in
is
increasing at the rate of 1,100
Community College hosted a Key
people per week. A mining boom
Issues Forum which identified and
prioritized such issues of concern
in Elko and surrounding counties
to the people of Elko as growth,
is also producing a demand for
school libraries and technology.
increased library services.
3
ti
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
QUESTIONNAIRE
public
In January, 1990, Nevada libraries conducted a survey of the general
in order to assess public attitudes, preferences, opinions and behavior
distributed
toward Nevada's libraries. A total of 21,000 questionnaires were
and 5,250 people responded.
One of the most frequently cited requests for improvement was for libraries
to be open for longer hours, especially on weekends. A second request
for additional staff, larger
was for more books, and other requests were
Video libraries,
libraries and on-line catalogs which are easy to use.
computers for public use and quiet reading rooms for study are also
priorities of Nevada's citizens.
1990 LIBRARY SURVEY
ALL LIBRARIES IN NEVADA
Daily
10.3%
Never
2.4%
_,---Once in a while
Monthly
23.6%
14.9%
Frequency of Use
4
SPEAKOUTS
On January 31,
Across the state, the public was
libraries
1990,
throughout
Nevada
held
concerned about the need for
"Speakouts
on
old
Libraries,"
more library materials. People felt
fashioned town meetings where
collections
`hat
should
be
citizens were urged to express
expanded
books
with
and
their ideas, concerns and interests
magazines mentioned
first
and
about the
videos
books-on-tape
of
and
future
Nevada's
libraries.
following a close second.
Twenty-eight
libraries
reported
Next, Nevadans wanted libraries to
resulis including public, university
be open longer, especially school
and school libraries as well as
which
libraries
traditionally
are
open only when schools are in
special
libraries
such
the
as
Nevada Supreme Court Library,
session.
the Talking Book Library in Clark
County and the Washoe County
Programs for special groups were
All the Speakouts
Law Library.
mentioned at many Speakouts.
were moderated by volunteers who
Libraries
should
target
special
recorded a broad spectrum of
groups such as seniors, children
public sentiment.
or teens.
Programs should be
available in rural as well as urban
areas and should be
People
throughout
the
state
to
tied
expressed concern that libraries
lifelong
Literacy was
learning.
ara underfunded and that steps
seen as an appropriate activity for
must be taken to insure adequate
libraries.
Budget problems are
funding.
especially acute in school libraries.
Finally, technology was an area of
major concern.
Patrons want the
Library image concerned other
most technologically advanced,
citizens. Many felt that libraries are
user friendly products available in
doing excellent jobs but that library
as many forms as possible.
An
personnel should promote services
easy-to-use on-line catalog was
and programs to those segments
mentioned frequently as a must for
of the population who are not
libraries throughout the state.
using libraries.
5
REGIONAL MEETINGS
in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko
Regional meetings were held March 3, 1990
for the Governor's Conference.
in order to develop issues and topics
pre-conference activities arid
Participants reviewed data from all the
Conference:
proposed the following topics for the
CITED
ISSUES MOST FREQUENTLY
MIL
7. Offer opportunities for lifelong
1. Expand library hours.
learning, including literacy
training.
2. Increase library materials.
Increase programs and service
8.
3. Provide qualified, trained staff.
to young people,
especially
school
upgraded
through
4. Promote and publicize library
libraries.
services.
special
for
9. Provide services
5. Develop new sources of funding
populations including latchkey
including a statewide bond
immigrants
seniors,
children,
issue.
and the homeless.
6. Tie new library
to
facilities
technology
in
Increase
population growth and secure
10.
Nevada's libraries and distribute
funds to operate them.
it evenly to Nevada's citizens.
6
be contracted out.
Specialties
STRATEGIES 2000
Libraries should target he very old
and the very young.
Governor's
Conference
The
*
shifts
Demographic
to
are
welcomed
Corbin
Carolyn
Nevada on April
resulting in an aging population.
1990.
12-13,
provide
lifelong
will
Libraries
Corbin wrote STRATEGIES 2000, a
learning and recreation for the
bestseller named by
business
richest aging population ever.
Kip linger's Washington Newsletter
as one of the four major business
Business/education
*
books of the year. She taught the
coming.
partnerships
are
seminar, "How to Prosper in the
instructional
be
Information Age," in Las Vegas on
Teachers
will
April 12th and in Reno on April
design specialists. Students need
to learn how to find, use, and
Corbin described the new
13th.
economy as information based
Even the
critique information
...
In the old
basics are changing.
and characterized by widespread
days we taught "what" to think.
In such
technological innovation.
Now we'll teach "how" to think,
an economy, old rules no longer
apply and Corbin described new
directed by a facilitator. The library
strategies to help management
be
recreation
more
will
as
important. Do it with pizzaz!
political
librarians,
personnel,
adapt to
leaders and
citizens
...Cognitive
(knowledge)
*
change.
workers see the opportunities for
seizing change. Be proactive in
Corbin made these observations
on the future of libraries:
change. Identify skill clusters then
kids how to use them.
teach
Proprietors of information will
Anticipate your world.
Learn to
*
is a
be the elite... The Library
do something about it!
resource that connects... all types
of
to
and
services
materials
authored
Corbin
STRATEGIES
specific populations and topics.
2000 in connection with her work
for IBM and it has been used by
*
Librarians of the future will be
major corporations and business
trained in critical skills.
Libraries
schools nationwide.
Her seminar
will be profit centers, servicing
exciting
educational
was
an
entrepreneurial organizations.
opportunity.
7
1 r,