NCW Libraries

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

"A brilliantly inventive new novel about loss, growing up, and our relationship with things, by the Booker Prize-finalist author of A Tale for the Time Being After the tragic death his beloved musician father, fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear voices. The voices belong to the things in his house-a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce. Although Benny doesn't understand what these things are saying, he can sense their...

As the mission statements of libraries across the nation change to reflect the realities of America and its emphasis on economics, librarians have had to move their long-standing paradigm from knowledge steward to information broker to entertainment director. Many library boards have made it clear that the public library -- especially in smaller communities -- can earn its keep only by becoming the center of educational, informational, and entertainment...

The author reopens the unsolved mystery of the most catastrophic library fire in American history. This book chronicles the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) fire, and its aftermath, to showcase the crucial role that libraries play in our lives. The author delves into the evolution of libraries around the world, from their humble beginnings to their status as a cornerstone of the community; brings the departments of the library to life through on-the-ground...

Portals to all the knowledge in the world, libraries are also created universes of multitude of imaginations. Librarians guide us to enlightenment as well as serving as the captains, mages, and gatekeepers who open the doors to delight, speculation, wonder, and terror. This captivating compilation of science fiction and fantasy short fiction showcases stories of librarians -- mysterious curators, heroic bibliognosts, arcane archivists, catalogers...

Adults over the age of 50 constitute some of the most engaged and frequent users of public libraries. They may also be the most misunderstood, since the behavior, interests, and information needs of older adults have changed dramatically with the addition of the Baby Boomers. This book offers advice on how to reshape library services for this new generation of active older adults.

"Many of us have vivid recollections of childhood visits to the public library: the unmistakable, slightly musty scent, the excitement of checking out a stack of newly-discovered books. Today's libraries also function as de facto community centers, and offer free access to the Internet, job-hunting assistance, or a warm place to take shelter along with the endless possibilities that spark your imagination the moment you open the cover of a book. There...