Each year, "Library Journal" recognizes 50 or so emerging leaders in the profession as Movers & Shakers. These library professionals are passionate about the work they do and are moving the profession forward, often in creative and innovative ways. Some of these individuals enjoyed and were encouraged by amazing institutional support and…

This article features the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) in Tacoma, where new services are changing the way customers experience the library. PCLS is comprised of 17 branches, two bookmobiles, one Explorer Kid's bookmobile, serves 509,000 people, and has 234,000 cardholders. The evolution of customer expectations and needs motivated the…

Describes the work of people, both librarians and non-librarians, who are change agents in shaping the future of libraries in the areas of community builders; visionaries; mentors; activists; innovators; collection developers; scholars; industry notables; team players; and service providers. (LRW)

Argues that bookstores are not superior and do not pose a threat to libraries. Discusses what libraries can learn from bookstores; where bookstores fall short; low wages of bookstore clerks; misshelving problems in bookstores due to the classification system; how the library classification system can be improved; and libraries' strengths. (AEF)

Reviews the mandate and mission of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) and describes its successful initiatives supporting library issues and community library programs. Excerpts from a letter written by Marilyn L. Miller, president of the American Library Association, in support of NCLIS are included. (EA)

Provides guidelines for ordering the best computer books, geared to the library's size. Covers series, articles, subjects, and publishers most useful to a broad audience, as well as the best places to seek information on new titles and where to find reviews. Offers time savers for upgrading a computer book collection and discusses weeding…

Discusses 10 misconceptions that publishers have about libraries. Issues include library book budgets; purchasing paperbacks, multiple copies, best sellers versus reference books, and books as opposed to software/hardware; sources of information on new publications; promotional events; and different functions of libraries and bookstores. (JKP)

Describes the creation of a consumer health library; types of health information and health information consumers; reasons consumers seek health information; collection development and maintenance; and the Internet. Lists 13 best Web sites for traditional and alternative health, children's health, disease control and prevention, and travelers'…

Discusses steps taken by the Idaho Library Association to defeat an antigay ballot initiative by means of a coordinated, statewide public relations campaign. The ballot, known as Proposition One, would have violated First Amendment rights and caused library materials to be censored to determine whether they addressed homosexuality. (Author/JKP)

Defines multicultural groups, discusses the evolution of multiculturalism, analyzes the "one-third myth," which says that America will be one-third minority by the year 2000, discusses statistical multicultural theories, and reviews laws and regulations that provide equality in jobs and education. Also examines multicultural trends in…