Now in our 18th year, the Planning Commissioners Journal provides concise information designed to make planning commissioners more comfortable - and effective - in their role. Available now, the PCJ's current issue, "Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities," explores the value of downtown public libraries, and also covers a wide range of topics giving citizen planners the background and perspective they need on planning issues they face.

Included in the Summer 2009 issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal:

-- Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities. There's been a dramatic change in the mission of a growing number of libraries across the country. No longer just static repositories of books and reference materials, libraries are increasingly at the heart of our communities, providing a broad range of services and activities. They are also becoming important "economic engines" of downtowns and neighborhood districts. NOTE: This article is available as a free downloadable pdf by contacting our office at [email protected].

-- Circle the USA. PCJ Editor Wayne Senville is hitting the road again to report on local planning and land use issues. Three reports from the first leg of his travels:
- how the adaptive reuse of an old factory is key to a Vermont town's future.
- why a city in upstate New York has eliminated parking requirements.
- a look at the connections between college and community in a small western Pennsylvania city. You can follow his travels on: www.CircleTheUSA.com.

Rounding out our issue:
-- Ric Stephens takes us through The Nine Circles of Planning Hell.
-- Elaine Cogan offers some tips to help planning commissioners become more effective speakers.
-- Jim Segedy and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy help us decide "Are We There Yet?"
-- The Editors of Planetizen highlight six books of special interest to citizen planners.

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For details on our Summer issue and subscription information: http://www.plannersweb.com/ Our PlannersWeb site features a wide spectrum of informative -- and sometimes offbeat -- news and notes, as well as an outstanding archive of conversations, projects, and ideas. Take a look a where we've been and where we are going. And check us out at Planning Commissioners Journal on http://www.facebook.com/- we'll be happy to hear from you.

For additional information, please contact
Wayne Senville
Editor, Planning Commissioners Journal
P.O. Box 4295
Burlington, VT 05406
www.plannersweb.com