Children and youth learn in countless ways, anywhere, anytime. And one of the most powerful levers of children's learning--from the early childhood years through adolescence--is families. For families, libraries provide the books, media, and activities that help them open doors for children's literacy and lifelong learning. Libraries are poised to…

Public libraries are heavily affected by political and policy-making processes that shape the funding, activities, and roles of libraries in society, with the explosion of information policy decisions in the past two decades significantly increasing the responsibilities of libraries while also increasing limitations on their activities. Research…

Inspired by a new generation of librarians and children, Walter reconsiders the legacy passed on by the matriarchs of children's services and examines more recent trends and challenges growing out of changes in educational philosophy and information technology. This thoroughly researched book includes the current issues and trends of: (1)…

Three articles present responses to Summers' predictions of fundamental changes in libraries caused by the use of technology. The discussions cover the role of children's librarians in shaping future users and perceptions of libraries, the positive effects of technology on services to children and young adults, and the need to base library…

Sixteen leaders in the field of youth librarianship share their perspectives on the last 40 years and predictions for the future. Topics include major issues, changes in public and school library services, censorship, changes in users and the impact on library service, changes in children's books, and the future role of libraries and librarians.…

This publication explains, through examples of current library programs around the United States, how libraries affect the education of children, and offers an impetus for others to embrace the challenge of providing quality library programming for children. Through these programs, libraries work toward achieving national educational goals, and…

Examines the impact of Libraries Online!, a Microsoft grant to provide technology to low-income populations, at High Point Library (Seattle, Washington). Discusses race relations among users, children helping children, computer lab programs for children, developing an Internet Use Policy, homework and reference services, and staff training and…

This paper discusses information gateways and equal access to information. Highlights include: the development of the physical infrastructure of libraries; globalization as it relates to the use of software; Internet controls such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act; the psycho-social component of libraries; computer literacy and…

Discusses recent books and articles on the minimalist model of education, children as users of information systems, the new information superhighway in relation to schools, the future of reading and computers, and children's use of online information resources. (EAM)

Although many studies devoted to the information behaviour of young people have drawn attention to youngsters' tendency to rely heavily on information sources within the home on account of their ready accessibility, work addressing in detail the exploitation of non-fiction books in these domestic settings is rare. This article draws on the…

Examines studies relating to two aspects of children's use of electronic information media: (1) access to print information through online (or card) catalogs and databases; and (2) direct access to information in electronic format. Gender differences are discussed, and implications of the studies for software development and equality of computer…