While all other states have moved to closer integration of state and public libraries, South Australia is moving the other way--an error which will have to be rectified. (Author)

Review of state of public library practice in Nigeria from historical times to present highlights social impact; profile of public and state libraries; resources available; effects of library legislation; problems (high illiteracy rate, lack of adequate funding, personnel, inadequate educational planning, communication); and prospects for future.…

Contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year 1997. Data were collected through the State Library Agencies Survey, which provides policymakers, researchers, and other interested users with descriptive information about state library agencies. (SLD)

Reports results of a survey of state library agencies' research on public library operations and services. The appendix provides information on the contact person, the title of the study, and availability of materials for the 29 agencies responding to the survey. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (13 references) (MES)

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)

Union catalogs have yet to reach their full potential on the national level or in California. The National Union Catalog and the Union List of Serials in the Libraries of the United States and Canada, although monumental efforts, are far from comprehensive. A survey found that California exhibits most of the problems involved in union catalog…

Considers role of states as middlemen between federal government and local public libraries in administration of Library Services and Construction Act funds. An audit of Illinois state library agencies, 1970 federal mandates, state control of federal funds, and state library agencies' use of funds are discussed. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Presents a model for the development of statewide levels of adequacy for public libraries. Recent developments affecting the profession's thinking about standards are reviewed, various dimensions of the concept of standards are discussed, and issues that remain to be resolved are identified. (Author/JD)

Addresses the problem of crime committed in a library by its employees. Provides examples of crimes in state and public libraries. Discusses embezzlement in a state library, theft of library funds, falsification of records and violation of library loan policies, and reasons for crimes. Notes that such crimes can be safeguarded against by enforcing…

Examines the responses from the state libraries to literacy issues studied in 1985 in two surveys--one of state initiatives compiled as background for the Second National Conference on Urban Literacy, and a survey of the chief officers of state library agencies. The California Literacy Campaign is described in detail. (EM)

Examines the activities of major library institutions in China including the Society of Chinese Libraries, the National Library, provincial and public libraries, and university libraries. (LLS)

Describes a three-phase national study examining the concepts of cooperative library ventures and combined libraries to determine which institutional structure had the most potential for improving school and public library services in the state. (CMV)

Examines the value of the Public Library Association Planning Process and Output Measures. It is concluded that the planning process is wasteful, in that it ignores existing literature and addresses conditions that libraries cannot change. It is also argued that adoption of the output measures would be dangerous, as it involves serious egalitarian…

Describes California's Adult Microcomputer Literacy Training Project, which provides training for public library staff in the development and presentation of microcomputer literacy training sessions for adult users. The project's objectives and philosophy, responsibilities of participating libraries and resource centers, and role of People's…

Describes the procedures followed by Louisiana public libraries in establishing and operating that state's award winning summer reading program. The cooperative efforts of the state library, state library association, and committees of public librarians are discussed, as is the incorporation of performing artists funded by grants from the state's…