Dual Use Libraries: Guidelines for Success

Combined school and public libraries have been studied extensively for more than thirty years. Common advantages and disadvantages, together with typical problems, have been identifi ed. From the work of researchers in three countries, predictors of success can be articulated: the population served is less than 10,000; a formal planning process involving the stakeholders was undertaken; a written legal agreement for governance, administration, fi nances, and operations includes guidelines for evaluation and dissolution; a decision-making board or management committee develops policies and procedures and engages and evaluates the director; an integrated facility is conveniently and visibly located, accommodating a variety of groups and resources with a separate area for adults and designated parking; the library is connected with a larger network, regional system, or consortium; the principal has a strong desire for success and teachers support the concept; one highly motivated professional librarian is in charge; there is regular communication and planned cooperation between public library and school staffs; and there are no restrictions on access to resources or on the circulation of materials. Introduction Dual use libraries (note: dual not duel!) are not new. The language changes over time but the essential elements remain the same. Whether discussing dual use libraries, the school-housed public library, the joint-use, combined, or community library, or co-located libraries, the basic principle is consistent: a common physical facility from which library services are provided to two ostensibly different communities of users. Dual Use Libraries: Guidelines for Success