Reports the application of a microcomputer for automating the circulation system of a small public library in Oregon. (RAA)

Describes the development of the San Jose Public Library's newly operational SCICON circulation control system, one of the largest and fastest online systems in America. (RAA)

Carefully orchestrated public relations and publicity campaign at Free Library of Philadelphia motivated an estimated 35,000 patrons to return almost 160,000 overdues during "no fines" week. Coverage by radio stations, newspapers, and television aided recovery of materials including rare 1910 score of a Rachmaninoff symphony which was 31…

Describes the local, in-house designed, automated, on-line circulation system which has been in operation at the public library in Farmers Branch, Texas, since October 1, 1975. The relatively inexpensive system is linked to the IBM System 3 Model 10 in the city data processing department. (JVP)

Indiana's Michigan City Public Library was the first in the nation to serve all regardless of residence and the first to establish a branch library in a large, enclosed, heated shopping mall. The results of these new services are discussed. (Author/NH)

The current position of the American Library Association (ALA) on intellectual freedom was not a development and refinement of its earlier positions, but a reversal of an older posture. (Author)

Reports on third annual mini-survey on religious books in 30 public libraries across nation covering seven areas: regularity of purchase of religious materials; percentage of book budget used; percentage of circulation; collection policies; gifts; patron demand; attempt to "balance" book collection on certain issues; pressure from…

This essay relates the economic cycle, unemployment, and inflation to reading habits and public library circulation. Highlights include recent English sociological study and its implications for current increases in public library use, future library use, effect of the economy on kind of public library use, and reasons why people read. (EJS)

Presents results of survey of 52 public libraries designed to determine which circulation and overdues activities affected overdue rate. Tables summarize findings on mean overdues rate, and effects of charging fines, restricting borrowing privileges, loan period, renewing books, notices sent, telephoning, court cases, population serviced, and…

A library is not a theoretical thing: it is part of the total social fabric. To ignore public opinion is to invite the kind of retaliation that would severely cripple the library's ability to operate. (Author)

A library should be a place where a person is free to turn on sexually as well as intellectually." (Author)

Discusses the increase in circulation over the past seven years at the Queens Borough Public Library. Improvements in collections, promotion, and services responsible for this increase are examined, and circulation data are presented in graphs. (MES)

Discusses the use of the "Output Measures for Public Libraries" measurement method to compare public library performance based on a variety of statistics involving circulation, staffing, and library services. The need to consider the value that library services add to the community rather than relying on statistics alone is stressed.…

Statistics on book budgets, population served, and collection size of individual public libraries in New York State were correlated with their circulation data to examine efficiency of scale for mid-size libraries. Findings show that circulation increases erratically with increased book budgets and size of population, but consistently with…

The most surprising response from the "Library Journal" 2002 survey of 150 public libraries is that circulation is up after declines for the past couple of years. Budgets are holding their own, with a slight increase overall of 3%. Aggressive merchandising, promotion, and better circulation systems point to success. (AEF)