Information Literacy Programs for Adults in Public Libraries in the United States

Public libraries are hubs for information and related literacy programs, and a venue for adult education. But this essential role can be strained by rising community expectations, persistent budget constraints, and LIS programs that leave librarians pedagogically underprepared. Through a nationally distributed survey, this study explores the extent to which public libraries in the United States offer information literacy-related programs for adults, the topics they cover, and the conditions that enable or hinder such programs. Results show that public libraries are engaged in a wide range of educational programs but also face various challenges that limit their scope and reach.