ABSTRACT
Libraries are repositioning themselves within the landscape of early childhood education. While there is a long tradition of libraries having children’s collections and offering children’s activities such as story reading, the focus has shifted to a younger age group. Libraries, unlike schools and preschools, do not have to comply with an early childhood curriculum, and this can produce some interesting initiatives. Deepwater Library was among the first social institutions to service the small rural town. Balancing the costs of services with rates income is a constant challenge for local government serving scattered small communities. With a budget for upgrading, Ashleigh’s priority was to make Deepwater relevant to the lives of residents. Libraries are clearly significant nodes in networks which relay information, resources, and practices through social worlds. The networking activities of libraries, and the individuals who work in and use them, forge connections with the networks of other institutions, collectivities, and individuals.
