Describes a communications, materials booking, and interloan system in a Canadian public library system which allows equal participation of all sizes of libraries. The system has reduced the percentage of requests not found, improved turnaround time, is more cost effective, and has generated a higher respect for resource sharing. (EM)

Reviews public library services in the People's Republic of China since 1949. Describes the Shanghai Library, the second largest library in China; the Shanghai system's three level network (municipal, district or county, and street or town) of public libraries which provides for resource sharing, librarian training, professional activities, and…

Details the design, financial support, organizational structure, and evolution of a program to facilitate the automation of small public libraries in Massachusetts and to promote resource sharing among those libraries. A sidebar by Governor Dukakis expresses his views on the role and importance of libraries. (MES)

Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Texas State Library's 1996 to 1999 long range plan for library development provides for the establishment and expansion of programs needed to carry out the objectives of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) and the Library Systems Act (LSA). The first three chapters give an overview of the Statewide Library Development Program of the…

This report addresses the status of library development in Wisconsin, the needs and problems of libraries, and possible ways of meeting these needs over the next 5 years. These long-range plans developed by the staff of the Division for Library Services (DLS) reflect reports submitted to DLS, surveys, consultations with librarians and trustees,…

Five articles present an overview of trends and issues affecting rural libraries. The areas discussed include the status of rural library services; outreach programs; the role of library cooperation in the support of rural library service; the development of rural information centers; and political marketing of the rural library. (CLB)

Describes Infocus, a membership-based service of the State Library of New South Wales (NSW) that provides students with information for their study of the NSW Higher School Certificate curriculum. Developed in collaboration with school and public libraries, Infocus provides reproductions of resources held by the State Library of NSW. (LRW)

Examines public library and school library cooperation based on a history of public libraries. Highlights include the development of school libraries and standards; cooperation versus combination; shared library collections; relationships with college libraries; funding; and shared resources at the state level. (LRW)

This review of the current status of combined school-public (community) libraries in Vermont acknowledges that, while on the surface the concept appears to be just the answer for many communities with limited funds and other resources, it also raises many questions about the nature of library service to a community. The paper provides: (1) a brief…

Various partnerships between public and school libraries in the Northwest are described, from summer reading programs to continuous collaboration. School librarians appreciate the support available from public libraries, which becomes more important as school budgets tighten and services in schools become vulnerable. But the presence of a…

This theme issue includes 13 articles that discuss rural library concerns in Illinois. Topics addressed include strengthening library services; rural trends and their impact on libraries; partnerships; Cooperative Extension Service revitalization; financing; economic development; resource sharing in school libraries; and public libraries and user…

Technological advancement in academic library resources sharing, networking, and information transfer have developed dramatically in the past decade, with institutions (including nonacademic libraries) finding themselves hard pressed to acquire the resources necessary to institute or otherwise improve their networking capabilities. Further, these…

The first of the two reports presented here begins by listing the members and alternate members of the Michigan State Legislature; members of the Library of Michigan Board of Trustees; and Library of Michigan officials. A directory of the state's 16 public library cooperatives is also provided, together with maps showing their geographic…

Describes a cooperative effort between public and school libraries which jointly sponsored such activities as library instruction and awareness programs, story telling and reading aloud sessions, and workshops for teachers, librarians, and media specialists. Contacts for additional information are provided. (CLB)