The Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury, Connecticut received a state grant in 1976 to provide increased accessibility to their services through a books-by-mail program. In 1975, 9,750 catalogs listing the books-by-mail collection were mailed to local households. Newspaper publicity requested that households that received the catalogs share them…

Reports the application of a microcomputer for automating the circulation system of a small public library in Oregon. (RAA)

Describes the development of the San Jose Public Library's newly operational SCICON circulation control system, one of the largest and fastest online systems in America. (RAA)

Discusses the on-line book circulation system at the Sunderland Central Library, in terms of benefits, operation, and problems. (JVP)

Carefully orchestrated public relations and publicity campaign at Free Library of Philadelphia motivated an estimated 35,000 patrons to return almost 160,000 overdues during "no fines" week. Coverage by radio stations, newspapers, and television aided recovery of materials including rare 1910 score of a Rachmaninoff symphony which was 31…

Discusses policy, law, and administrative issues that must be resolved by a national commission to study public lending right, which was proposed in a 1985 bill. Examples from the United Kingdom and other countries are used. (EM)

Outlines circulation procedures for video games at four public libraries--Arlington Heights Public Library, Illinois; East Brunswick Public Library, New Jersey; South River Public Library, New Jersey; and Cloquet Public Library, Minnesota. Acquisition of materials, insurance fees, loan periods, and use of reserves are noted. (EJS)

In 1974, the Ontario Educational Communications Authority (OECA) undertook a study to measure the feasibility of loaning video tape recording equipment and video tapes to home users. A pilot program in one branch library found that, with the assistance of a video instruction package and an instructional booklet, users quickly mastered the…

Explains the concept of Public Lending Right (PLR), which provides for payments to authors based on the circulation of their books by public libraries, and describes the British experience with PLR since 1979. Issues involved in PLR and the possibility of its adoption in the United States are also discussed. (MES)

Describes preparations involved in writing the 115-page "Request for Proposal for the Acquisition, Installation, and Maintenance of an On-Line Integrated Library System for the Genesee District Library" (Flint, Michigan). Preliminary investigations, American Library Association annual conference input, the Automation Task Force,…

Describes the policies and procedures developed at the Vineland Public Library (New Jersey) for a program to lend laptop computers. Discusses laptops for in-library use and for home use; obstacles, including staffing ramifications and maintenance demands; checking for inappropriate Web sites left on the hard drive; and benefits for the users. (LRW)

Provides a history of Raleigh's public library for African Americans and its founder, Mollie Huston Lee. Highlights include African Americans in North Carolina, public library service for Blacks, library collections, circulation, branches and bookmobiles, and creation of a county-wide library system. (LRW)

Discusses the effectiveness of nonbook activities as a public service or in support for other services in the public library, and describes the programing activities of the Logan Square branch of the Chicago Public Library. Ten references are listed. (CHC)

Discusses cooperation between public libraries and schools and describes programs developed by the Chandler (AZ) Public Library Youth Services department for teachers, including longer check-out periods for library materials and a telephone service to hold materials for pick-up. (LRW)

The newly-constructed Julia Ideson building, central library public service programs, branch and extension services, support services, and the Houston public library board are described in this review of the Houston public library's activities in 1979. The report also includes statistical comparisons of the number of borrowers, materials…