Discusses philosophy and economics of charging users for library services. Free services are advocated for reasons of equal access and intellectual freedom, and alternatives to charging are suggested, citing Seattle Public Library as an example. Opinions and statistics on library fees excerpted from the current literature are included. (CDD)

Describes the oldest and largest combined school-public library system in the United States. According to school principals and librarians who function within it day to day, the system is working, although it has limitations. (LLS)

Discussion of library outreach programs to senior citizens highlights the experiences of Driftwood Library (Lincoln City, Oregon) in using multimedia kits by Bi-Folkal that were designed for use in nursing homes, senior care centers, and retirement homes. Library staffing, funding, and planning needs are addressed. (LRW)

The annual city expenditure for public libraries is compared to annual expenditures for selected other services, from 1950 through 1968-69. (Author/MM)

An historical profile of the New York Public Library helps explain its budgeting problems. Extensive fund raising in 1972 enabled the five research libraries to remain open to the public, but sustained federal funding will soon be necessary. (DH)

Recounts the history of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) and Stanford University's involvement in it, with an account of the problems that developed with the system, particularly several computer failures which almost spelled the end of the network. The comments of key figures in the RLG story are included. (JL)

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.…

Discussion of videocassettes in our culture and the function of video collections in libraries focuses on the creation and demise of a unit sponsored by the American Library Association, the ALA Video and Special Projects. The unit's role is discussed and funding decisions that led to its demise are explained. (LRW)

Describes how a historic church building in New Woodstock, New York was converted into a full-service modern library. Discusses community support and patron involvement in the project, the design plan which retained the historical integrity and satisfied modern requirements, funding from local contributions, spatial arrangements, and provisions…

Used selectively and imaginatively, corporate sponsorship can be a powerful tool to help libraries achieve their mission of getting more children reading and visiting the library. Focuses on development of the summer reading program by the Oregon Library Association. Discusses planning and fundraising; publicity; distributing funds; obstacles; and…

Public library services are threatened by a national mood of economic conservatism. Librarians should actively combat the threat by defending services, making collective decisions, resisting inflation, seeking federal support, responding to charges from politicians, and increasing efficiency. (FM)

Describes the Ohio State University Libraries' Gateway to Information project, which was developed to help users find, evaluate, and select materials in any format; access online catalogs and CD-ROM databases; and apply information seeking and critical thinking skills independently. Funding support is discussed and Gateway's impact on the future…

Portrays a public library's struggle for survival in the face of serious financial cutbacks. Strengths of this successful campaign for a serial levy are discussed and offered as models for other administrators who are encountering less spectacular success in preserving their public library systems. (JPF)

Sources of endowment assistance are listed for libraries seeking federal funds. (AB)

Description of the effects of the revolution, U.S. government policy, and natural disasters on the economic climate in Nicaragua focuses on problems faced by the country's libraries and library school. Support and funding provided to Nicaraguan libraries by American library groups are reviewed, and attitudes of Nicaraguan librarians toward the…