The goals of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), as administered by the Library of Michigan, are to support statewide access to information, enhance equity of access by providing special assistance to those with difficulty in using a library, support librarians as they develop information skills and foster innovation and technical…

This 1996 PIALA conference explores ways to identify and make available local resources on the Marshall Islands. The traditional Marshallese word, "Alele," which means "the basket which holds the tools, treasures and resources needed for everyday life," is also the name of Majuro's public library, museum and Marshall Islands…

Describes the library of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. Highlights include the library director and personnel, promotion of the library's mission, budget, formats and subjects in the collection, cataloging, access policy, patrons, and future plans. A sidebar discusses "One Survivor Remembers" (the 1995 Oscar-winning…

Five articles describe the involvement of the Government Printing Office (GPO) and four depository libraries in the initial GPO Access Gateway Library Program. Technical issues and innovations are discussed, and the challenges of building such a program are outlined. (AEF)

Discusses the role of the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) in the development of the electronic information industry in Europe. Activities aimed at libraries are described; the IMPACT program for developing the market for information services is explained; and problems of multilingualism are addressed. (LRW)

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)

Describes various infoshops across the United States: these centers offer alternative materials; are collaboratively run and staffed by volunteers; are typically founded/run by young people; and often serve as venues for concerts, screenings, and political discussions. Suggests libraries might take inspiration from infoshops, and serve coffee,…

Discusses the National Science Foundation (NSF)/United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) Research in Digital Libraries Initiative (DLI). Highlights include benefits of digital libraries; the Federal High Performance Computing and Communications Program (HPCC); and program…

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) launched Oklahoma's statewide database program in 1997. For the state's academic libraries, the program extended access to information, increased database use, and fostered positive relationships among ODL, academic libraries, and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), creating a more…

Describes the development of the grant-funded Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS), a project design to provide cost-effective access to online resources in school libraries across the state. Notes that online database provides offer substantial discounts for group acquisition of their products which has prompted the development of…

Three sources indicated the need for designing a usability study of the Western Michigan University Libraries' Web site: the results of the 2004 LibQUAL+ survey; the completion of the library's new strategic planning document; and suggestions by library customers and library staff. LibQUAL+ findings and customer comments suggested customers…

Raising a child with a disability requires an even greater amount of information than that needed to raise a "typical" child. This information is not as easily accessed as information regarding typically developing children. Parents require this information to help promote their child's development, learn information about diagnoses and treatment…

This report describes the impact of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding in California for 1997-2002 on Californians of all ages as served by their libraries of all types. The first section summarizes the results in achieving the following goals and their related objectives: (1) free and convenient access to learning and information…

This report to the President and Congress provides an overview of digital libraries. The following related findings are discussed: the full potential of today's digital libraries to support the national challenge transformations has not yet been realized; the federal government can and should do much more to further the science, technology, and…

Librarians at Indiana University Northwest Library surveyed patrons on how to make the library's collection and services more accessible by improving signage. Examines the effectiveness of signage to instruct users, reduce difficulties and fears, ameliorate negative experiences, and contribute to a user-friendly environment. (AEF)