Herbert Putnam was Librarian of the Boston Public Library between February 1895 and April 1899, the first experienced librarian to hold that post since Charles Coffin Jewett (1855-68). This paper reviews the circumstances surrounding his appointment and discusses his accomplishments, including expansion of the library system, services for…

Presents data on 1989 salaries of public library directors in cities for 10 population groups (from those serving populations of over 1,000,000 to under 2,500). Taken from the "Municipal Year Book 1990," the data are classified by geographic region, city type, and form of government. (MES)

Discusses the role of library trustees or board members in public library administrative decisions, examines managerial styles among public library directors, and describes situations that invite the board to micromanage. Sidebar "Success in 10 Steps" suggests ten steps to maintain a balance of power between staff and trustees. (LRW)

Describes how salary data are collected for "The Municipal Year Book," and presents 10 tables compiled from the 1988 yearbook which provide salary data on library directors in cities of various size populations (from more than 1,000,000 to less than 2,500). Data are broken down by geographic region, city type, and form of government. (MES)

Directors of Alabama's 180 public libraries and 21 library systems were surveyed to determine their use and opinions of the "1988 Standards for Public Library Service in Alabama." Replies included feedback on standards directors considered most or least helpful and suggestions for additional standards. Analysis of the responses is…

Discusses the role of the public library trustees and considers characteristics that are important for successful library boards, including diversity, active participation, knowledge of laws that authorize creation of public libraries and describe the terms and duties of board members, selection and support of a good library director, and…

Describes a study that examined the effects of life satisfaction and job satisfaction on reference librarians in public libraries. Results showed a moderate positive relationship between life satisfaction and job satisfaction, and practical implications for library directors, educators in the field of library and information science, and…

Notes that library support kept pace with inflation during 1980 and indicates a continuing sex bias with respect to women library directors. Women are neither proportionately represented nor paid as well as their male counterparts and their libraries suffer from lower per capita financial support. Data and references are provided. (RAA)

Only 1 in 20 library directors serving communities of fewer than 2,500 people have an Master of Library Science degree or equivalent. This article examines problems facing small and rural public libraries and the necessity for a new form of librarianship brought about by the Internet. Proposes a professional action plan for library staff…

Profiles Dorothy M. Schirtzinger, library director at the Lee County Library System (LCLS) in Fort Myers, Florida. Discusses her education and early jobs; mentors; the educational mission of the library; increases and developments in staff, branches, budget, and in-library and outreach programs; automation; federal funding; and future plans. (AEF)

Discusses the mission of public libraries in light of the decision to purchase Madonna's book "Sex." Three viewpoints are presented: a critic of selection policies that are too broad in the name of intellectual freedom; the director of a small public library with a limited budget; and a library historian. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Describes recent changes in the District of Columbia Public Library. Highlights include the search and appointment of a new director; financial problems; past managerial problems; needed technology updates; the impact of municipal government problems; and a sidebar with a biography of the new director, Molly Raphael. (LRW)

Describes strategies library director Dan Wilson used to keep the New Orleans Public Library ahead of budget shortfalls. Successful lobbying efforts to get a tax levy; growth in the library budget, technology, and services; changes in the service population; and Wilson's role as a facilitator are covered. (KRN)

Presents views of eight library jobs considered to be among the most desirable based on an informal poll of over 50 librarians. Directors of public libraries, the Librarian of Congress, state librarians, special librarians, and reference librarians are profiled, and a list of 22 additional desirable jobs is included. (LRW)

Examines the impact of Hurricane Andrew on the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS). Topics discussed include the community's response to the sudden lack of library services; the use of library branches as emergency relief centers and communications centers; library disaster policies; and visions for MDPLS under a new director. (LRW)