Discusses the potential for linking large metropolitan public libraries to international interlibrary loan networks. Issues involved in international networking, including funding, standards, network connectivity, and protectionism, are discussed. Examples of libraries capable of participating and brief descriptions of their collections are given.…

Discusses corporate sponsorships as a new source of library funding. Highlights include maintaining the library mission, visible endorsement of organizations, use of written guidelines and contracts, and the traditional library role as a "bankable strength." A sidebar describes the Fund for America's Libraries, a source of information on…

Presents a transcript of a conference call between Bart Kane (Hawaii State Librarian and advocate of the Hawaii/Baker & Taylor outsourcing plan) and Patricia Wallace (chair of the American Library Association's Hawaii Working Group formed to examine details of the plan) who debate the merits of Hawaii's model of outsourcing collection…

Discusses the inadequacy of laws protecting the privacy of library patrons and the necessity of improving confidentiality statutes. Addresses the form the statute should take, what should be covered, libraries the statute should apply to, when exceptions are justified, and how the statute should be enforced. (AEF)

Addresses information versus library science and examines what the dispute over graduate education means for librarianship. Describes three arguments for maintaining a balance between library science and information science and the land-grant university ethic. A sidebar contains an interview with Ken Haycock focusing on what to expect from the…

Discusses the role of the librarian in child abuse prevention, including the identification of high risk situations, provision of appropriate literature and support group information, and acting as a role model. An annotated bibliography of books for children and young adults in families at risk is provided. (8 references) (CLB)

Summarizes the suggestions made by bilingual professionals in an intercultural workshop aimed at teaching public librarians in Chicago how to meet the needs of immigrant populations. The discussion covers the unique cultural backgrounds of Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Polish populations, and the implications for effective library services.…

Presents an essay on organizational transformation and the way successful marketing transformations redeem a sense of value. Focuses on challenges faced by not-for-profit institutions, current changes in the library profession, and implications of the American Library Association's Goal 2000. A sidebar summarizes an interview with the director of…

The Communications Director of the American Library Association (ALA) offers five reasons librarians should claim literacy as their top professional mission: the "America Reads Challenge" to ensure that all 8-year-olds can read by the year 2000; the ALA's experience in literacy programs; the issue's universality; the success of past…

Describes Vannevar Bush's vision of memex, a mechanized private file and library, and suggests that the ability of users to download library online catalogs and manage the information on personal computers will realize Bush's vision. Current software packages are described, and the possible implications for libraries are explored. (CLB)

A "public" member of the American Library Association's Committee on Accreditation examines trends in library education across the country, and what this means for library and information science in the future. Discusses observations and issues in terms of mission, goals, and objectives; curriculum; faculty; students; administration and financial…

Illustrates a case of a student art exhibit in the Winthrop University, South Carolina Library, where freedom of expression interfered with employee rights in the workplace. The Dean of Libraries stated that the library could not act as a censor, and that they were obligated to defend the First Amendment; the controversial statue remained, but…

Comparison of the use in libraries of open systems--a configuration of software and hardware components from separate vendors linked by interfaces--and integrated systems considers selection of services; reliability; relationships with vendors; time needed to implement systems; and overall effectiveness of both approaches. (CLB)

A series of articles reviews current trends in library furniture, including designs to accommodate computer equipment and workstations, children's furniture, shelving, and display aids. Design requirements and evaluation criteria are discussed, and a directory of furniture suppliers is provided. (CLB)