In commemoration of the Librarian of the Year Award's 20th anniversary, this article presents brief vignettes on all 19 of the title holders. When "Library Journal" named them Librarians of the Year, these inimitable 19 (for the 20th, Norma Blake, see EJ788676) had singled themselves out as risk takers, visionaries, bulldogs, pragmatists,…

Public libraries were indispensable resources for newcomers during the height of European immigration to the United States. They were havens for the poor and jobless during the Great Depression and bridges between rural and urban communities during times of major demographic change. An increase in the Spanish-speaking population has inspired…

In an August 14, 2008 story, the New York Times reported that ethnic and racial minorities will likely be a majority of the U.S. population by 2042. Many of the blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and others constituting this emerging majority will be immigrants or the children of immigrants; the number of foreigners hitting these shores is projected to…

With the pileup of responsibilities that range from programming to outreach to web management, more and more librarians are finding vendor-based book selection enticing. Most librarians see vendor-based selection as an option to relieve the pressure and still provide good collections to their patrons. However, using vendors to help facilitate…

The intention of this article is to serve as a guide to the literature treating the historical development of the American public library. (A fuller version of this article is ERIC document ED 071 668.) (22 references) (Author/SJ)

This article discusses the events that occurred when Donald J. Olson was arrested for arrested for insider trading and SEC violations. Olson had been arrested for embezzling money from his own company, cooking the books to hide the missing funds, providing insider financial information to friends to boost stock prices, and numerous other offenses.…

Public libraries can no longer be all things to all people," they need to set one or two major goals to serve one or two major sectors and give everything they have to this effort. (7 references) (Author/NH)

Compares the sources of library income and the user characteristics of education, occupation, and income to assess who pays for the library and who uses it. Unequal tax-to-tax ratios throughout the population are discussed. (JVP)

Examines the role of the library in contemporary society and discusses the various options available for their fiscal support in the future. The use of user fees to finance selected services--to expand some and improve others--is advocated only as a supplement to support from general tax revenue. (Author/JVP)

Reviews a study by the RAND Corporation on the changing ethnic nature of California which focused on the impact for public library services of having the majority of the population composed of what once were racial and ethnic minorities. The report is criticized for the narrowness of the questions addressed, softness of data, and simplicity of…

How Do You Manage, is a column in Library Journal where librarians send in stories based upon actual events happening in libraries across the United States. This story recounts a public relations situation where a reporter from a local paper interviews by phone, a librarian in charge of audio and video services in a small town library. The…

The origins of public support for libraries in Massachusetts during the early to mid 1800's is discussed. Records indicate that the origins of the public library movement stem from a public feeling of need rather than elitism, philanthropy, or preservation of the status quo. (JPF)

A county library's support to the local judicial system, by making video equipment and staff available for the recording of depositions has resulted in an increase in good will toward the library in the business community. Cost recovery fees are charged. (JPF)

Notes that draft proposal for voluntary public library accreditation prepared by ad hoc committee is now ready for consideration by professional community. This article defines accreditation and proposes possible goals to provide a framework for discussing the pros and cons of establishing a Commission for the Accreditation of Public Libraries.…

The causes for the failure of the High John project--an attempt by liberal white librarians to make a significant contribution to the redress of American blacks' grievences, and to make the public library a more relevant institution--lie in librarianship itself. (11 references) (Author/SJ)