Outreach Services in Academic and Special Libraries

Citation

Hendry, J.D. (2005), "Outreach Services in Academic and Special Libraries", Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 9, pp. 537-538. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530510629597

Since the days of Lyndon Johnston's Great Society in the United States of the 1960s, Outreach Library Services have been the prerogative of the Public Library. And there have been many remarkable community library projects since then. This work describes a series of outreach initiatives by US Academic Libraries. Their vision and strategies are interesting as well as invigorating. Of these 12 case studies I found three of particular interest.

Information needs of Illinois fire‐fighters

70 per cent of firefighters in Illinois are volunteers, over one‐third have a minimum level of education, after high school diploma level. Another third have a college level education. Those with Bachelors or other degrees are in a minority. Local information services are fragmented, unbalanced and lack professional support, they also lack access to information sources. The library of the illinois fire‐service institute is a much used and invaluable resource for a group of public servants who face issues of life and death on a regular basis.

Bilingual Outreach: Resources for Teens

This is a web site developed by Colorado State University libraries. This information is aimed particularly at Spanish speakers at High School, to help prepare them for college level work, and towards a degree. In the United States there are some 17 million young people between the age of 12‐17, who use the internet. 73 per cent of all American youngsters are in that age range. At March 2000, there were 32.8 million Hispanics in the States, with 35.7 per cent below the age of 18. Hispanic was therefore chosen as the second language for the Teens Web Site. Although the facility contains much information about teens, the primary aim is to teach youngsters research and analytical skills. Many of us will await evaluation of their effectiveness with great interest.

Taking library recruitment a step further

In summer 2002 Cornell University Library introduced a Junior Fellows Programme. Aimed at introducing High school students of color to academic librarianship, the programme recognised that an innovative approach was required if such minorities were to be attracted to the academic library profession. This project also aimed to support the more general academic achievements of minority students through involvement in research and technological training. This seems to have been a success. Surveys of students demonstrated a greater understanding of the library in all its aspects, and confidence and skills in information technology increased. A modest project, but one which, if replicated elsewhere, could have a considerable impact on the library profession's ability to attract library professionals from minority groups. The writer of this paper, Isa Revels, and her colleagues state the essence of this process:

“… all libraries must assume responsibility for educating the next generation of library professionals, especially those of color.”

I trust the same attitude is extant in all fields of UK librarianship.

In summary a good informative read which despite (or perhaps because of its American English) style, will travel well not only to Britain but to many parts of the world.