Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 19, 1997
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434, 800-307-2665
Library Commission Plans Statewide Public Forums in April
Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner invites all Nebraskans to attend April
Public Forums in libraries across Nebraska to gather public input on library and information
needs. "We are dedicated to identifying Nebraskans' information needs and helping Nebraska
libraries to meet those needs, opening up the world of information for citizens of all ages,"
Wagner said. "The Library Commission continues to work in partnership with Nebraska libraries
toward a strong vision for the future: "Affordable, reliable, progressive, and equitable library
service for all Nebraskans regardless of their economic status and geographic location.' "
The Nebraska Library Commission is seeking broad discussion of library and information
needs and priorities between librarians, library boards, library supporters and the general
public in this series of statewide public forums. In preparation for the Public Forums, the
following issues and questions are offered for consideration:
What are the services that librarians and libraries should be providing Nebraskans in the
21st Century?
How do those services relate to the goals and purposes of federal and state funded
programs for libraries?
What are the most pressing or priority needs?
How should we choose among worthy and conflicting needs and priorities?
Public Forum Schedule:
April 14, 6:30-8:30 pm, Scottsbluff, Scottsbluff Public Library, 1809 3rd Street
April 15, 6:30-8:30 pm, North Platte, North Platte Public Library, 120 W 4th Street
April 16, 6:30-8:30 pm, Kearney, Kearney Public Library, 2020 First Avenue
April 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, Columbus, Columbus Public Library, 2504 14th Street
April 28, 6:30-8:30 pm, Papillion, Sump Memorial Library, 222 N Jefferson
April 29, 6:30-8:30 pm, Lincoln, Lincoln City Libraries, Gere Branch Library
2400 South 56th Street
For those unable to attend a public forum, letters and e-mail addressing the issues and
questions above are welcome. Comment cards at Nebraska libraries are another way librarians
are gathering input from library customers. Send letters to Nancy Busch, Nebraska Library
Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N St., Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023, e-mail: Mary Jo Ryan.
The Nebraska Library Commission will use the ideas and recommendations from the Public
Forums (and other information gathering efforts) to revise the Long Range Plan for Library
and Information Services 1997-2001 and to establish guidelines and criteria for awarding
state and federal funding to Nebraska libraries.
A report outlining the Nebraska Library Commission's Plan for Gathering Broad Public Input
on the Library and Information Needs of Nebraskans for the 21st Century has been placed on
the NE Library Commission Home Page Announcements Section, /news/content/235.html.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. "Bringing together people and information," the mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development and coordination of library and information services.
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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Home Page. Point your World Wide Web browser to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/.
Nebraska Library Commission
The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508-2023