This manual is designed to give public library trustees basic information on the structure of library service in Michigan, with emphasis on the trustees' major areas of responsibility, in order to help trustees understand and fulfill their obligations. In particular, the "Action Checklist" at the end of each chapter is designed to assist…

In January 1980, a Task Force on Interlibrary Loan was appointed to work with Michigan State Library Services (SLS) staff to formulate a series of recommendations for an interim interlibrary loan structure which could evolve out of the existing system. What has evolved is a multi-type regional concept involving public, school, academic, and…

Oakland University's Kresge Library first launched its Web site in 1996. The initial design and subsequent contributions were originally managed by a single Webmaster. In 2002, the library restructured its Web content creation and management to a distributed, collaborative method with the goal of increasing the amount, accuracy, and timeliness of…

In November 1991, the State Librarian (Michigan) established a committee to review and revise the standards of service for the blind and physically handicapped. These revised standards define the general responsibilities of Michigan subregional libraries to their regional libraries and their borrowers. Responsibilities cover basic services such as…

As librarians confront the Information Age, it is imperative that they remain aware of the issues that affect the profession. Traditional library skills are no longer adequate for maintaining a competitive edge in the field. Post-graduate education in digital libraries offers information professionals an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of…

Describes the formation of an automated School and Public Information Network (SPIN) in Grosse Pointe (Michigan) among the public libraries and public school libraries for the purpose of resource sharing. Topics discussed include management issues, organizational perspectives, management by committee, the importance of cooperation and…

Chapter I is a descriptive statement of the current financial status and operations of Michigan libraries with an analysis of the implications various modes of financing have on levels and types of services. Chapter II summarizes findings from both the survey conducted by personal interviews with 45 of Michigan's public librarians, randomly…

Describes a renovation project in the children's section of the Kalamazoo Public Library that utilized the same space but made it more visually appealing through the use of art. Grants and other funding sources are described that helped provide for the creation of murals, soft sculpture, and stained glass windows. (LRW)

Reviews the efforts of Michigan public libraries to create local and statewide electronic information services. Highlights include Internet access; libraries' roles in the community; networking climate; three local and regional projects; and statewide initiatives, including those of the state library. (LRW)

Improving library technologies allow patrons greater autonomy. One such technology, self-checkout kiosks, puts patrons in virtual control over their circulation experience. Whereas previously patrons had to approach circulation staff to check out, now this can be done privately. The impact self-checkout has on the circulation of potentially…

In the fall of 1996, Congress passed the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill. The bill challenges librarians to become more collaborative, encourages resource sharing and cooperation among all types of libraries, and shifts the focus of federal funding to technology. This report describes…

The results of a survey of the history of library uses of television from its earliest beginnings through the present expansion are presented in tabular and narrative form. The Detroit, Michigan, and Mobile, Alabama, public libraries are used to exemplify the contrast between early television usage in the 50's and 60's and the usage of Cable TV…

This handbook offers guidance to library personnel in planning and evaluating Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant programs. It was developed for use in the intermediate stages of identifying uses for real or potential funds, rather than as a tool for preliminary needs assessment or for preparing an LSCA grant application. The steps…

Summarizes activities of state organizations and associations responsible for school library media programs from Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Connecticut, Kansas, Rhode Island, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Michigan, and New Jersey. (LRW)

In order to get the most from LibQUAL+[TM] qualitative data, libraries must organize and classify the comments of their patrons. The challenge is to do this effectively and efficiently. This article illustrates how researchers at Western Michigan University Libraries utilized ATLAS.ti 5.0 to organize, classify, and consolidate the LibQUAL+[TM]…