Examines certification and licensing of librarians in the United States and Canada from the perspective of differences between the two concepts and through historical analysis of applications of each. A contextual framework for studying applications of these concepts to other professions is provided. (nine references) (MES)

In-depth interviews with nine individuals identified by a survey of American Library Association members as leaders in the public library field indicated that six traits are important in making a library leader: vision; a commitment to public libraries; courage and risk taking; openness to others; political savvy; and professional involvement.…

Special features include articles about the small public library: (1) the Public Library Association's Small and Medium-Sized Libraries Section; (2) a photo album of small public libraries in Mississippi; (3) small public libraries and public library standards; (4) the role of nonprofessionals; (5) training the nondegreed library worker; and (6)…

Discusses whether the American Library Association (ALA) should adopt a set of core values for the profession, and if so, what these core values would be. Includes background, charge, and membership; process, content, format, and explication; the draft statement; dissemination/response to input; and objections to the draft core values statement.…

Discusses the value of statistics in public library administration and recent efforts by the federal government and the Public Library Association (PLA) to gather public library statistics. PLA's Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report '88 and planned online availability are described. An inset shows data on salaries for beginning…

Describes how the Indiana library community defeated a "Speaker's bill" in the Indiana House of Representatives that threatened public library interests. Topics addressed include the introduction of the bill, lobbying, and arguments against the bill. (SLW)

Provides an overview of issues relating to library services to linguistic, ethnic, and cultural minorities. Following a clarification of the terminology used, the process of immigration is addressed. The role of public libraries in this area and implications for professional associations are then discussed. Twenty-one references are listed. (MES)

Describes a field study of four public libraries that examined the extent to which differences in local implementation of the Public Library Association's long-range planning process produced differences in planning outcomes. Reasons for deciding to plan, participant evaluation of the process, and specific outcomes are highlighted. (LRW)

Presents viewpoints of four library professionals on the role of American libraries in the development of third world libraries. Topics discussed include the role of libraries in democracies; financial and human resource needs; the role of library associations; and staff exchange programs, including the American Library Association's Library…

A library school dean, a public library director, and a recent graduate working as a public librarian give their reactions to a set of competencies recently developed by the Public Library Association's Education for Public Librarians Committee. Background and future plans for the document are also explained. (SLW)

Discusses methods of evaluation that can be used to measure public library effectiveness, based on a conference sponsored by the Council on Library Resources. Topics discussed include the Public Library Effectiveness Study (PLES), quantitative and qualitative evaluation, using evaluative information for resource acquisition and resource…

Reports on the Public Library Association's data collection project for 1987-91. Statistics show most libraries are progressing in terms of financial support and use, although not dramatically. Data on the role selection process and output measures are included. (Contains seven references.) (EAM)

Provides an overview of the North American Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery Project that was initiated by the Association of Research Libraries to facilitate the delivery of materials to users at manageable costs. Highlights include vendors; management and financial software; standards; library policies; organizational and service…