Inside, Outside, and Online

Starred review from April 15, 2010
Seasoned public library managers might be tempted to dismiss this book, thinking that they are already well versed in many of its topics (such as performing a needs assessment, developing a strategic plan, and marketing and evaluating services). That would be a big mistake. For what Hill (director of community services, WebJunction) offers is nothing less than a holistic vision for public libraries in the United States, centered on the library's ability to create community. She adroitly draws on scholarship and research, examples and interviews, to create a plan for libraries that is as sharply focused as it is quietly urgent. By succeeding even more as community builders, libraries, Hill believes, can become sustainablemeaning that the public can't live without them. Public librarians would do well to use this book as a roadmap, at least for the next decade.BK

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2009
In this fluently written how-to manual, author Hill makes a potent case for community building as an essential form of service in public libraries, both for their survival and relevance and also for the needs of those Americans who find themselves bowling alone. She outlines five steps in the process she recommends public libraries follow to build communities: assess, deliver, engage, iterate, and sustain. Explanation of the stages is clear, and examples from librarians in the field serve as dynamic illustrations. Although the book was researched and written before the current economic debacle caused library use to skyrocket, Hills model remains applicableand provides libraries with a method for taking full advantage of increased foot traffic as well as connecting outside and online.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)