Public Libraries
Public libraries occupy a unique position in society. With over 17,000 across the U.S. and 350,000 around the world, public libraries are the foundation of the world’s social infrastructure–spaces and services that welcome all members of society, foster personal exploration and growth, and uplift communities. To reach their full potential they must continuously adapt to a changing social, economic, and political landscape brought about by such forces as technological innovation, new channels for learning, and the changing nature of work. This research aims to generate new insights and approaches for strengthening the public library’s position as an essential actor in building informed societies and driving community development.
Projects
- All
- Refugee Women And Technology Education in Seattle
- STEM Education for Gender Data Equity in Costa Rica
- Advancing Library Visibility in Africa
- Measures that Matter
- Digital Skills for Digital Librarians Evaluation
- Development & Access to Information
- Mobile Information Literacy
- Research Roadmap for Strengthening the Library Field
- Information Strategies for Societies in Transition
- Regional Study & Resource Center Evaluation
- Public Internet Access & Use in Vietnam
- Innovation Spaces
- Measuring perceptions of the benefits of ICT in public libraries in the EU
- Perceptions of Libraries as Development Partners
- Digital Inclusion Framework
- Public Access Landscape Study
- Global Impact Study
- Libraries, Telecenters, and the 2010 Chile Earthquake
Featured Outputs
- Publications
People & Organizations
- Research Team
- Chris Coward, Principal Research Scientist & TASCHA Director, Information School
- Rebecca Sears, TASCHA Assistant Director, Information School
- Maria Garrido, Principal Research Scientist, Information School
- Chris Rothschild, Senior Research Scientist, Information School
- Michelle Fellows, Research Analyst, Information School
Updates
- Developing digital skills for digital librarians
- Session at ALA: Ensuring the Future of Libraries: Connecting the Academy and the Profession
- TASCHA & IFLA report explores how access to information contributes to development
- Mind the (information) gap: Making the case for action by governments
- Making development smart & inclusive: Launch of the Development and Access to Information (DA2I) report coming soon
- Partnership design and the Global Libraries legacy initiative
- The role of public libraries in the Brave New World of Truth