Winter-Spring 2002

People in the field of national and community service often need a place to turn for information ranging from the mundane – what should an AmeriCorps member’s timesheet look like? – to the philosophical – how can you create stronger partnerships within a community? The National Service Resource Center was created by the Corporation for National and Community Service to be the first and best place for people to turn to find answers to questions about:

• How to run service programs more effectively.
• What books, journals, videos, or CD-ROMs have been published that would be useful.
• How these materials can be obtained at low or no cost.
• What other people in national and community service are doing that is innovative or effective.
• What forms or handbooks have been created by peers that have been useful in operating their programs.
• How peers exchange information, ask questions, or discuss issues with one another.

The Resource Center, a project of ETR Associates, is a repository of information and resources. It also offers technical assistance to national service programs.

The Resource Center houses an actual library on-site in Scotts Valley, California, but most people who make use of the Center gain access through the website where people can:

Peruse the downloadable library of online documents (in PDF, or Adobe Acrobat format), such as sample forms submitted by program and project directors, and publications funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Browse the online catalog of more than 2,000 library holdings.
• Learn about training and technical assistance events on the Master Training Calendar.
• Read or download current and archived copies of The Resource Connection, a periodic newsletter featuring timely information for improving programs and serving communities.
• Find other training and technical assistance providers whose services are available to grantees of the Corporation.
• Discover effective and promising practices using EpiCenter, the online database of effective practices in national and community service programs. Finding something that may work for your program can be as simple as typing a keyword.
• Gain access to the technology assistance available through the Senior Corps Technology Center.

Finally, the National Service Resource Center manages more than 20 listservs for the Corporation for National and Community Service, including the popular ACList (geared toward AmeriCorps programs, state commissions, TA providers, Corporation staff, and anyone interested in AmeriCorps) and NSSCTalk (intended for participants in National Senior Service Corps projects). Users can join these lists by visiting the listserv information page.

Carlos Pedraza is the National Service Resource Center’s Director, Clearinghouse Services and Forest Monsen is NSRC’s Information Specialist.