A recent "New York Times" article heralded a film documentary whose subject was a competition in which the entrants vied for the title of "one of the best craftsmen of France." The film spotlights the competition between pastry chefs--French pastry chefs--who come from all over France to compete. It's a microcosm of larger…

2010 marks the fifth year the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) has selected an honor list of international books. Once again, titles on the list crisscross the globe. They have been published in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This…

Discusses the current level of library development and librarianship in francophone West Africa, taking Senegal as a case in point. The topics addressed include the impact of colonialism on library development, the structure of library services, the role of UNESCO seminars in library development, and the education of library personnel. (JL)

Seven of these ten papers are concerned with library research in specific countries; the remaining three deal with library planning and ethics in research. Titles are "The Library as a Cultural Institution," by Jadwiga Kolodziejska, Poland; "The International Seminar 'Book and Library in Society' of the Polish Book and Readers…

Describes the new facilities at the New York Public Library, the British Library, and the National Library of France, including reference service, delivery time for books, and general ambience. Also reports on a conference that addressed issues related to scholarly communication and digital technology in the academic community. (LRW)

Shows how l'Heure Joyeuse, a children's library started in Paris in 1923 as a gift from U.S. philanthropists, became a model of open-access, user-oriented public libraries. L'Heure Joyeuse's unique role in the development of public libraries in France from before 1900 to the present is described. (41 references) (EAM)

Papers on school and children's libraries which were presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Learning to Learn in the Street," a description by B. Lang (France) of "street libraries" and other institutions designed to introduce economically disadvantaged children to…

Papers on hospital and health libraries and library services to the blind and deaf which were presented at the 1982 International Federation of Library Associations conference include: (1) "Leisure Pursuits of the Blind" by Antun Lastric (Yugoslavia); (2) "Library Services for the Handicapped in Canada: An Overview" by…

Papers on scientific/technical information and libraries, which were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, include: (1) "Patents as Information--An Unused Resource" by Richard D. Walker (United States); (2) "Survey of the Information Services of the Library of the German Patent…

The eight papers presented in this collection are (1) "Bibliographic Instruction: The Librarian's Responsibility," in which Carol A. Singer discusses the place of librarians versus teaching faculty in library instruction; (2) "Bibliographic Instruction for Undergraduate Students: Development of a One Credit Course" (at Kearney…

This paper examines the place of oral heritage in France. The first section provides an overview of oral collections in France from the early 1900s to the present. The study of oral materials is then discussed in the second section, including: research centers within universities or high schools; activities of the Ministry of Culture; development…

Discusses political and cultural battles over the role of a national library in France and the future direction and function of libraries in general. Uses accounts from the press to trace changes in the project as well as ways in which it influenced French librarianship. Contains 34 references. (Author/LRW)

This paper discusses cooperation between hospital and public libraries in France. The first section provides an overview of hospital libraries, including historical and regulatory background, as well as the current situation. The second section considers the network of public libraries, including increasing awareness of the duty to provide all…

Briefly describes a pilot project connecting some 150 schools and libraries around Lyon, France. The nature of the French educational system is outlined and the impact of the structure of that system on the organization of cooperative educational information services is reviewed. (JL)

Describes the French government's plan for a new national library which would be a state-of-the-art showcase and the nation's largest postwar cultural project. The discussion covers plans for the proposed building, the nature of the new library, and the renovation and future role of the existing national library. (CLB)