Midterm: CARI model

What is the 'CARI model'?

According to Community analysis: Research that matters to a north-central Denver community, the article by Sarling, J.H., & Van Tassel, D.S. (1999):

"The Community Analysis Research Institute (CARI) model begins with a focus on the community from four perspectives--individuals, groups, agencies and lifestyles--and incorporates both quantitative and qualitative research methods to collect a variety of data including demographic characteristics, history of the community, topographical features, transportation routes and traffic patterns, commercial activities, communication patterns, housing, education, cultural activities, health facilities, employment, recreation, entertainment, and the characteristic lifestyles of the community and its sub-cultures" (pg 8-9).

Basically, the method emphasizes the need for the library to understand what the community needs. The library should be molded to fit the community around it. For example, in the library that this study covered they recommended areas for children to study since they might not have the space at home. They also recommended a large video selection, since there was no nearby video rental store. And because the surrounding community was diverse, they knew that the library needed to be very bilingual. The researchers found this all out by using various methods--such as conducting interviews, driving around, and consulting Census data--and seeing what the community had and what it needed.