Authored by the ethnic studies librarian and multicultural coordinator at the Mansfield Library at the University of Montana in Missoula, the teen librarian at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, Massachusetts, and the adult services librarian at the Peabody Institute Library, this work offers 15 chapters organized into 3 parts: the what and why of community-centered libraries, how to create community-centered libraries, and inspiration for community-centered libraries. Intended for the public librarian, 'this work demonstrates how public libraries can position themselves as active and vibrant centers of community life in the twenty-first century' (p. vii). Drawing on real-life examples, the co-authors demonstrate through case studies how libraries of all sizes, demographics, and budgets in the United States can and do work to become community-centered. Drawing on what has already been done, sharing tips, tricks, inspiration, what to do, and what not to do, this book will encourage and enable any public library to become more community-centered. Librarians in other types of libraries can also benefit from selected chapters, based on the community needs, whether looking to find the importance and relevance of being community-centered; how to allocate the resources, collaborate, and obtain grants; or determining how to focus on civic action, sustainability, the arts, or other purposes. Down-to-earth and practical, yet packed with ideas and inspiration, this work is beneficial to any public librarys professional collection. * American Reference Books Annual *
