Focusing on urban students, this report discusses approaches taken and programs implemented by school libraries in the Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) School Division in response to at-risk students. While the programs span the range of grade levels, several of those highlighted are specifically for at-risk preschoolers, dropouts, and adult learners. Overall strategies for making education more relevant, real, and rewarding are outlined, including continuing professional development for teachers and the use of the whole language approach in the curriculum. All of the programs are: (1) small in size and local in scope; (2) individualized to the needs of the school, the individual, and the particular localized population; (3) characterized by caring and attentive staff members who are highly attuned to the personal needs of students; (4) involve teacher-librarians as an integral part of the whole program; (5) include teachers who have high expectations for the students, and who encourage them to reach these goals; and (6) establish stronger links between the school and the family. Some projects involve liaisons with other education-related agencies, e.g., a children's hospital, public library, and the Canadian Children's Book Centre. (21 references) (SD)