Of potential interest to small towns in rural areas, this report describes England's first attempt at applying to a rural area the concept of a multi-agency information and advice center based on a library. The comprehensive review covers all phases of the project: (1) identification of a community's information and advice needs; (2) consultation…

Provides a brief background of the new town development in England during the past 20 years, describes the problems caused by lack of community identity and employment in the new town of Skelmersdale, and discusses the role of the library and its services in the new town setting. (JD)

Describes a succession of government initiatives that challenge many metropolitan district and London borough library authorities to take advantage of increasing urban aid to tackle inner city problems relating to education, employment, and culture. An examination of the Inner Urban Areas Act of 1978 details the implementation of such initiative.…

Describes public library services in England that provide open learning materials, appropriate computer hardware, and trained staff for adult independent education. Topics include mentoring by community librarians, development of a learning environment, support for learners, links with other organizations, and fees. (LRW)

Five of the world's largest libraries have joined Google in a herculean effort to digitize millions of books and make every sentence searchable. The project involves libraries at Harvard and Stanford Universities, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the University of Oxford, in England, as well as the New York Public Library. It could…