Describes the present status of some of the 2,509 libraries funded by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie near the turn of the century. Many Carnegie libraries are still in operation; some have been expanded or renovated. Others have been replaced by new libraries or have been demolished or converted for nonlibrary use. (LLS)

Provides ideas to help libraries build a successful volunteer program in light of changing lifestyles. Suggestions include recruiting from new and diverse sources such as seniors, people doing community service, minorities, and persons with disabilities and using formal employer groups. The importance of flexibility and professionalism in managing…

Describes a 2-day meeting, sponsored by the Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County (Ohio) and OCLC, Inc., to discuss the establishment of a new American Library Association membership initiative group which would focus on remote electronic access to, and delivery of, information. (LLS)

Public library services are threatened by a national mood of economic conservatism. Librarians should actively combat the threat by defending services, making collective decisions, resisting inflation, seeking federal support, responding to charges from politicians, and increasing efficiency. (FM)

Discusses the value of public libraries and what it means to be valuable. Topics include shrinking library budgets; why there is public money for libraries; how to tell whether a service, product, or institution creates public value; political and legal support; administrative and operational feasibility; and enhancing public value. (LRW)

This description of a program in which public libraries serve as sites for mediation sessions discusses the advantages of mediation over judicial proceedings in resolving disputes in the neighborhood and workplace, the role of the library in this program, and the effects on the library's relationship with the community. (CLB)

This overview of public library unionism in the United States notes viewpoints expressed in the literature citing public-employee dilemmas, negotiation restrictions, and union effects on bureaucracies. Seventeen references are listed. (EJS)

In ComputerTown, USA!, a corner of the children's section at the Menlo Park Public Library, children and adults are trained to use microcomputers. This is one of the top five winners in American Libraries' competition to identify innovative library programs. (LLS)

Argues that public libraries should abandon their outreach programs which seek to attract nonusers to the library, and instead concentrate their resources on that 10 percent of the population who do use the library. (LLS)

The Evanston (Illinois) Public Library has become the nation's first library to provide a touch-sensitive, online alternative to the card catalog. Library patrons have quickly embraced the Public Access Catalog (PAC) which was introduced on October 6, 1980. (LLS)

Discusses the New York Public Library's experience with the Kurzweil Reading Machine (KRM) which transforms printed words into speech for visually handicapped people. The introduction of this new technology has created a need for new library services which are unique and demanding. (LLS)

Provides an overview of current newspaper indexing methods, including discussion of those indexes produced by commercial firms, public libraries, newspapers themselves, and news data banks. (FM)

Describes the evolution and program of Philadelphia's Lifelong Learning Center, which stresses helping individuals to overcome problems of unemployment due to job obsolescence, mid-life career change, women returning to the job market, and career education and planning. Both workshops and individual interviews are used in working with clients.…

Explains the need to establish a national system of standards for public libraries. Discusses local standards, state standards, and international standards, and suggests adopting a tiered approach including three levels: minimum standards; target standards; and benchmarking standards, as found in total quality management. (LRW)

This essay aimed at large and medium-sized public libraries discusses library administration as a low-level function meant to support, rather than rule, the nonadministrative staff; management and administration as separate functions; the delegation of responsibility; and tasks of the administrator. (EJS)