Reports results of materials availability surveys conducted in public library systems and discusses implications of the findings for validity, reliability, and usefulness of fill rates as measures of library performance. A second paper presents another view in defense of fill rates, and responses by both authors are also included. (MES)

Discusses the expanding role of public libraries in providing videos to the community and describes existing reference, selection, and current awareness tools to aid in video selection. Materials described include books, mass media magazines, professional journals, videos, review indexes, and directories. (CLB)

Describes the organization and coordination of a public library's move from an old Carnegie building to a new facility. The planning process, publicity and communication, team concept, color-coding scheme, and use of software and volunteer help are covered. (EM)

Reports results of a survey of library patrons which investigated: (1) reasons patrons choose the public library for popular nonprint materials; (2) whether patrons using the library for nonprint materials tend to use print materials during their visits; and (3) how use of nonprint materials affects patrons' perceptions of their libraries. (MES)

A hands-on workshop simulated a library disaster and demonstrated the best strategies for salvaging library materials. Participants learned how to assess the available personnel and materials, the nature and extent of a disaster, and how to decide on a recovery strategy. (EM)

Provides an approach to dealing with donations and special collections for public libraries serving all sizes of communities with varying levels of funding. Highlights include guidelines for when to accept special collections, how to identify areas of need in the library's collection, and a special collection proposal form. (EM)

Provides an overview of issues relating to library services to linguistic, ethnic, and cultural minorities. Following a clarification of the terminology used, the process of immigration is addressed. The role of public libraries in this area and implications for professional associations are then discussed. Twenty-one references are listed. (MES)

Three currently available technologies--telefacsimile, gateway software, and CD-ROM--are defined, and factors to be considered in selecting these technologies for use in public libraries are listed. Seven references are included. (MES)

Presents an overview of the National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored Let's Talk about It Program. The intended audience is examined, the role of the scholar analyzed, and the special responsibilities of the discussion leader delineated. Results of the program are evaluated and suggestions for planning a program are offered. (six references)…

Presents and discusses a check list of recommended competencies developed by the Association for Library Services to Children for librarians serving children in public libraries. Suggestions are provided for the use of the check list by library educators, public library administrators, state and regional agencies, librarians, library school…

Traces the evolution of the Queens Borough Public Library's New Americans Project and describes its multifaceted approach in assisting immigrants to adjust to their new environment, including: (1) foreign-language collections; (2) English as a second language courses; (3) coping skills training; and (4) cultural programing. Seventeen references…

Describes a process undertaken by small, rural libraries in Massachusetts in which trustees, librarians, and community leaders identified the possible roles of libraries and prioritized needs for individual communities. The results include an emphasis on community standards rather than national, and a list of three basic roles of all libraries.…

Explores the issue of intellectual freedom and the role of the library in the community, and the extent to which community attitudes and values should influence library policy. A specific incident involving a public library exhibit of materials on gay rights in Durham, North Carolina, is described. (CLB)

Discusses areas needing revision in the manual "Output Measures for Public Libraries," i.e., measurement objectives, research skills of output measures users, management versus research contexts, relating inputs to outputs, problems in data collection, user versus library performance, sample sizes, interpretation of output measure…

Discusses library circulation figures as a reflection of the success of library services and describes merchandising techniques that have produced a 137 percent circulation increase at Queens Borough Public Library over the past seven years. Merchandising techniques such as minibranches, displays, signage, dumps, and modified shelving are…