Discusses difficulties parents encounter when they play with their disabled child and the inappropriateness of some commercial toys for disabled children. Also describes the development of adapted toys and of toy lending libraries for young disabled children. (BB)

Considers the role of the consultant in the areas of library collection development and weeding, and offers suggestions on determining the need for a consultant, obtaining one, and what to do when the consultant arrives. (FM)

This column assesses the state of library and information studies (LIS) research. Researchers and practitioners in various LIS fields address questions related to the research front and agenda for collection development; what the field needs to advance further; whether it needs a more sophisticated conceptual or theoretical framework; operational…

Describes activities developed by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and the Illinois State Library to prepare librarians for a new role in local economic development. Discusses results of a survey on library support for community development in terms of services and business materials collections. (AEF)

Digitization benefits the users of special collections through increase in traditional use of materials, development of new avenues of research, and the appearance of new types of research using rare books and manuscripts. It challenges the relative value given to paper originals of rare materials as digital holdings increase. Special collections…

This theme issue includes eight articles that discuss the information age, the impact of information technology, and the role of libraries. Highlights include libraries in Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria; the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) program; community literacy; database development in Malawi; and the Regional Energy Resources…

In the basement of the Waupaca Area Public Library, the Best Cellar is a separate room for young adults that allows teens the freedom to laugh, talk, snack, and listen to music without disturbing others. The furniture, collection, young adult population and community, hours of operation, staffing, planning, youth participation, and librarian and…

Presents a model for collection development in small academic libraries based on experiences at Dickinson College (Pennsylvania). A faculty summer study group is described that was charged with enhancing the library's holdings in the area of Black or African American Studies, considering their curriculum plans. (Contains six references.) (LRW)

Examines current manifestations of museum-library partnerships in light of the post-object roles assumed independently by these institutions. Suggests that libraries assume a role traditionally associated with museums by incorporating objects into their collections. Two historical precedents and two models are presented. (Contains 65 references.)…

Examines the development of women's studies programs and women's studies collections in light of their potential impact on information literacy education. Topics discussed include the role librarians play in the institutionalization of knowledge; enhanced access to diverse perspectives; curriculum transformation; and ways of learning. (21…

Discusses the Library of Congress's American Memory Historical Collections, primary sources, available at http://memory.loc.gov. Describes the American Memory Fellowship Program, a year-long professional development opportunity with two purposes: to have teachers, librarians and others create original teaching materials that draw upon American…

Describes the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), whose member universities share book collections, an online library system containing multiple electronic resources including a union catalog, an offsite book storage facility, and a separately staffed service organization. WRLC's organizational development, structure, governance,…

Summarizes some of the highlights and points out certain special features that characterize the collection development of East Asian-language materials in North American libraries at different stages from 1869-1975. (Author)

Presents the Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections that was developed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services with other organizations to guide museums and libraries in digitization collection practices. Highlights digital collections, digital objects, and metadata, and discusses reusability, persistence,…

Describes the development of a multimedia library collection at Concorde Career Institute (Missouri) that specializes in allied health technical career training. Highlights include determining student needs, barriers to student and faculty use, instruction in library use, and working with instructors. (LRW)