Written for the librarian looking for inspiration on how to provide outreach and programming ideas for the growing number of grandparents raising their grandchildren, Serving Grandfamilies in Libraries: A Handbook and Programming Guide truly presents the reader with a comprehensive overview of how to develop an outreach program to this special population. This book provides insider advice from other libraries ... Read morethat have implemented these types of programs into their libraries, highlighting both the successes and the failures they experienced. Beginning chapters provide an overview of this demographic and their needs, the benefits to having a grandfamily resource center in your library, the challenges in developing a program for this population, and a sample of model programs. Appendixes include a bibliography of resources for more information on the subject, planning and curriculum resources, online resources, and promotion and publicity resources. Special topics covered include some information on grants and funding opportunities and ideas for potential community partnerships. This text could easily be used by the new librarian put in charge of heading or creating a program for this population as well as the seasoned professional who is new to this role. The work is a great review as well as introduction to the life of a librarian, illustrating both the positive and the challenging situations.
American Reference Books Annual
Our library has used the resources and programs described in Serving Grandfamilies in Libraries: A Handbook and Programming Guide and these have been greatly appreciated in our community! Now, more than ever, it seems that grandparents are often playing one type of parent role or another to their grandchildren. At our library we were able to offer support and guidance for grandparents helping their grandchildren with any number of issues including homework, peer relationships, and the relationship between the child and their parent. Every library should make an effort to offer some level of inter-generational resources and programming for their community. Serving Grandfamilies in Libraries is a wonderful source for programming and ideas to make this happen!
Charlotte M. Johnston, Director of Harvin Clarendon County Library, South Carolina Grandparents are playing an increasingly significant role in raising grandchildren, from being the primary caregivers to providing daily child care. Public libraries developing services that support this contemporary family structure will find ideas for developing quality programs, recommendations to maximize resources, and tips for re-purposing the collection for grandfamily use. Much of the material in Serving Grandfamilies in Libraries is based on first-hand experience and case studies, enhancing the practicality and replicability of the information.
Jeanette Larson, Adjunct Faculty, Texas Woman's University Our Grandfamily Resource Center is one of the most valuable areas of our children’s library.  We recommend that all libraries use the ideas in Serving Grandfamilies in Libraries to provide this type of resource center for their community.
Paula F. Childers, Children’s Services Manager, Florence County Library System, South Carolina Show Less