Commissioned by the Coalition for Networked Information, this report examines the role of research universities in addressing complex societal challenges. It focuses on climate change, which is best characterized as a "wicked" problem. Such problems are difficult to define and lack clear solutions in part because they involve multiple…

The terms Diversifying, Decentring and Decolonising characterise the ways that academic libraries are engaging with social justice issues, through multiple theoretical perspectives epitomised by the rejection of libraries as neutral spaces. The review covers numerous case studies of critically informed action, or praxis across a variety of…

Service-learning, a growing pedagogy in higher education, provides opportunities for students to contribute to communities and to reflect upon experiences ranging from direct service to advocacy. Librarians have an important but underutilized role in supporting service-learning as they contribute to institutional missions and the public purposes…

This paper takes a theoretical and practical approach in defining the "problem" of homelessness in libraries. The author examines three fundamental problems on homelessness. The three fundamental questions are: (a) Who are the homeless? (b) Why are they homeless? (c) What are their information needs in libraries? These questions are important in…

In a time when information self-service and enhanced competition have sent libraries of all types into an oftentimes desperate search for a renewed sense of purpose, a fundamentally important question takes center stage: How can libraries connect with the deepest aspirations of their service communities? This article describes a new library…

Discussion of the homeless in American public libraries focuses on harmless individuals who may be considered nuisance by library staff/patrons. Highlights include literature about problem library patrons, national problem, social issues, major themes (offense to others and library staff, balancing rights, and elitism), and implications for…

Provides excerpts from David Berninghausens's "Social Responsibility vs. the Library Bill of Rights" and responses that appeared in "Library Journal" in 1972 and 1973 because of the continuing debate over the role of the American Library Association (ALA) Social Responsibilities Round Table and whether or not ALA should take…

Recently, an article, "Is Publishing Going to the Dogs?" (Silvey 2004, 36), focused on the children's book publishing industry and the inevitable conflicts among social issues, art forms, and the world of commerce. That title, featuring an illustrated dog drooling over the book in its teeth, echoes the concerns and fears expressed in the…

Discusses the role of academic libraries and librarians and suggests they should become more involved in social and political issues such as AIDS education. The use of a mass media campaign as a model for library activities is explained, and problems surrounding AIDS education in libraries are addressed. (20 references) (LRW)

Summarizes four presentations from the 1992 Catholic Library Association's convention: "Native American Stories: An Oral Tradition in Today's Education" (Jim "Two Crows" Wallen); "Christians and a New Friendship with the Earth" (Jane Blewitt); "Earth Energy, Human Energy: Information Power" (Barbara…

A group of students in the course dealt with the fundamental question of the public library's role in satisfying societal needs. Each of the students set out to explore the family, social, occupational and political world of an important social group. Members of two of the groups - the urban Negro and the blue collar worker - appeared to be either…

Public interest in domestic violence waxes and wanes with the headlines. This article describes how libraries can play an important--and even lifesaving--role in empowering abused women, providing useful resources for shelters and other agencies, and enlightening students and the general public about domestic violence.

Reviews the social responsibilities traditionally recognized as directly related to librarianship and explores the question of whether librarians should take positions on broader social issues. Arguments on both sides are presented and some of the philosophical and professional concerns that should be addressed are discussed. (20 references) (CLB)

This report on one of the activities of the Maine State Library Literacy Project, which was funded in 1986 through the Library Literacy Program, Title VI of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), presents discussions of literacy, adult new readers, literacy programs in libraries, serving adult new readers, selecting materials, and how…

This paper is a call for academic and public libraries to contemplate their role in meeting the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) information needs of their patrons. Librarians are urged to consider the potential negative consequences of neglecting to provide up-to-date and representative collections of AIDS materials. It is suggested…