Touch-screen technologies, on-demand multimedia, and mobile devices are prompting a rethinking of education. In a world of increasing fiscal constraints, state leaders are under pressure to capitalize on these new technologies to improve productivity and help students excel. The task is daunting across the education spectrum, but for those in…

In this article, the author describes the Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA), a program designed and implemented in Texas to encourage children to read more, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favorite books (www.txla.org/groups/tba/about.html). TBA began in 1979 through the effort of Dr. Janelle…

This report describes the 1990 Pennsylvania Governor's Conference on Library and Information Services, which was held in September 1990 prior to the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services. The report includes brief descriptions of the planning process, the governor's regional forums, the selection of delegates, and various…

This article explains how the Maryland public library community used data from a citizen poll to support increases in government funding. With a major grant from the Division of Library Development Services (the official name for the Maryland state library), the public library community hired a nationally known pollster, Potomac, Inc., to conduct…

Considers the need for family literacy programs and library involvement in such programs. National organizations and local library programs devoted to family literacy are described, and the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program, which provides funding for local library family literacy programs, is discussed. (MES)

Reviews the efforts of Michigan public libraries to create local and statewide electronic information services. Highlights include Internet access; libraries' roles in the community; networking climate; three local and regional projects; and statewide initiatives, including those of the state library. (LRW)

This paper reviews and summarizes the procedures used by the Library Research Center (LRC) of the University of Illinois to process data from Illinois public library annual reports filed with the Illinois State Library (ISL). The complete processing cycle is described, including: (1) preparation and revision of reporting forms; (2) their…

Presented in a new format which makes possible statistical analysis and comparison, this annual report includes summaries of special services, as well as statistical reports and studies on public and regional libraries, and two library directories. Special services include long range programs, state aid, the Library Services and Construction Act,…

This report on Alabama public and regional libraries and their services includes brief discussions of the year's state and federal aid, public library development, interlibrary cooperation, library automation, summer reading programs, services for the blind and physically handicapped, planning and research, library services to institutions,…

Provides a historical view of the spread of public libraries in North Carolina. Highlights include subscription libraries; tax-supported libraries; the role of women's groups; state assistance; library services to African Americans; bookmobiles; and a series of maps that show the incidents of public libraries in various years. (Contains 52…

Describes the development of the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) for Public Library Data, a system that combines the annual collection of data from public libraries by state agencies with the reporting of national public library statistics by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Future plans are also discussed. (six…

Produced by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Division for Library Services (DLS) for use by applicants for Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grants, this guide describes the funding categories and priorities, requirements and criteria by which grants are rated, and the grant review and award process. Recommendations of…

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is charged with improving library services throughout the state to ensure that all citizens have access to quality library and information services. Part of this charge includes the responsibility for receiving and administering federal funds to the more than 200 public libraries in Alabama. Federal…

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is charged with improving library services throughout the state to ensure that all citizens have access to quality library and information services. Part of this charge includes the responsibility for receiving and administering federal funds to the more than 200 public libraries in Alabama. Federal…

This document provides the 5-year (1996-2000) library plan for public libraries in Louisiana. It identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities, and personnel. It identifies the people who are to be served, and reveals the geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of…