Public libraries are heavily affected by political and policy-making processes that shape the funding, activities, and roles of libraries in society, with the explosion of information policy decisions in the past two decades significantly increasing the responsibilities of libraries while also increasing limitations on their activities. Research…

Winter 2007 marked an episode of high anxiety in the library science profession, when the latest Newbery winner, "The Higher Power of Lucky," triggered discussion about words and their suitability for young readers. It seems that the entire world now knows that the word "scrotum" appears on the first page of the book. School…

These two reports discuss federal legislation and regulations that affect libraries and the publishing industry. Topics include funding for federal library and related programs; ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) reauthorization; E-rate; the USA Patriot Act and other actions after the September terrorist attacks; intellectual property;…

Existing and potential federal funding programs for libraries are discussed in this special conference theme summary. The relation of library funding to the total intergovernmental grant system is explained, and eight existing federal programs are outlined that support (1) public library services, (2) interlibrary cooperation, (3) school libraries…

Provides an overview of information sources concerning the development of library and information science, and the movement toward nationwide library cooperation and resource sharing in Yugoslavia. A brief listing of booklets published in English by Yugoslavian publishers is included. (CLB)

Discusses developments in depository librarianship and refers to changes in library education at Rosary College (Illinois). Highlights include bibliographic system problems, adoption of standardized cataloging methods (MARC format), improvement in document accessibility, costs, the National Technical Information Service, changes in document…

Describes activities of the 1991 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. Topics discussed include federal legislation; Israeli censorship and Palestinian library closings in the occupied territories; intellectual freedom; library services to an aging population; cultural diversity; children's rights; video copyright; access services;…

These five reports discuss electronic books; the Internet speed and digital reference; Internet publishing from the perspectives of libraries, publishers, authors, and scholars; a cross-cultural comparison of intellectual freedom in the United States and Canada; dissemination of government information; and the implications of technology for…