Hard times bring out the ambiguity in politics. Except for fiscal extremists, most politicians in North America want to support their libraries. When "Library Journal" ("LJ") planned to name the heroes and villains in the politics of library funding, they rediscovered that politics just is not that simple, and that it may be a…

The perfect politician, the ideal political ally to a library, is often but not always an elected official. He or she is always an effective champion of "reasonable financial support," i.e., "the amount...which a thoroughly competent librarian can spend wisely." That is what J.T. Wyer, director of the New York State Library, said in his "What the…

The President of ALIA writes about expectations for the Public Libraries Summit, and provides an account of what took place on the day of the meeting, and what has taken place since. In funding terms, the most likely areas of productive engagement with the federal government are considered to be: children, early learning and a literate Australia;…

A brief history of Stoke Newington and South Hornsey (North London), their literary figures, early volunteer libraries, and the evolution of the Stoke Newington Public Library. (LS)

The events of the year are reviewed: financial upheaval, bookbanning, developments within the ALA, and new services and programs.

Public expenditures for libraries in the State of Oregon for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1974 increased 16 percent over the previous year. Circulation throughout the state increased 17 percent over the same period. The Directory contains additional statistical data on the operations of public libraries in the state. Listings of all public,…

The American Library Association's (ALA) Annual Conference, June 24?30, in steamy Orlando, drew 19,575 people, including 5,739 exhibitors, the lowest total since Miami in 1994, not counting the SARS-shadowed conference in Toronto last year (see statistics, p. 15). Although this years conference was filled with exciting events, this abstract is…

The concept of total planning as applied in this presentation refers to planning as a part of library organization. It is felt that greater care should be taken at top-level planning to ensure that some proportion of the income and credit available is allocated to various services to allow departmental planning to be carried out effectively. This…

Reports results of public library survey conducted by a Public Library Association committee that was established to study library investment practices and assess the need for establishing an investment management service. Revenue sources, investment patterns, benefits of pooling, and a proposed management service are highlighted. Six sources are…

The "Victorian Free Library Service Board Act" of 1946 was the culmination of a long campaign to replace the mechanics' institute model of library provision with free libraries funded by state and local government. Given that library reform required legislation by the state government, this paper is mainly concerned with the political…

This publication provides detailed guidelines on how libraries and library associations can begin the process of lobbying in the state capital for funding or legislation. The first of three major sections covers how to use the legislative process, how to develop a government relations program, and how to select public relations tools. The second…

Describes the public lending right (PLR) situation in the United Kingdom, including the origin and evolution of the campaign for author remuneration for library lending, the current status of PLR, and a look to the future. Eighty-five references are provided. (CHC)

This report on the work of the Library Committee of the Capitol Consortium for Continuing Higher Education, one of six regional Consortia in Virginia, focuses on cooperative projects, including a proposal for a Periodicals in Richmond Area Libraries List. The proposed list, which is judged essential for resource sharing and for continuing…

Recent winners of the John Cotton Dana Award were Brooklyn Public Library's "Fair Share for Brooklyn" program to reallocate funding and involve residents in the future of library services and the Indiana Library Federation's "Explore the Possibilities: Support Indiana Libraries" program, a statewide multimedia campaign to…

The 1976 20th annual report for the Council in Library Resources (CLR) reviews the highlights of the past two decades, describes current activities in the context of the past, and relates those activities to the Council's perception of the development of an improved library system in the U.S. and abroad. The Council's board of directors, committee…