Counseling and Information Needs of Adult Learners

LIBRARIANSAND OTHER LIBRARY staff members have long been interested in helping adults learn. They have done so by assisting with self-directed learning projects, by conducting book-based discussion groups, and by cosponsoring courses and workshops for adults. Librar-ies have also cooperated with other providers of adult and continuing education to increase the accessibility and relevance of educational opportunities. This article explores ways in which library personnel can combine an understanding of adults as learners with a commitment to reaching underserved adults, and thus effectively meet some of the counseling and information needs of adult learners in ways that broaden the range of service. The essence of this proposed approach is the librarian’s use of his or her understanding of the influences on adult participation in educative activity as a basis for developing learner-oriented counseling and information services that help libraries (and other continuing education providers) in their recognition of and response to the educa-tional needs of adults. This community leadership on behalf of adult learners occurs when a librarian assembIes information about continuing education opportunities in the community and then uses i t to assist adults select-ing appropriate learning activities. Such leadership is further strength-ened when the librarian identifies unmet educational needs of these adults and uses this information, in summary form, to encourage the library and other providers to respond. The activities are the rudiment