Describes the development of children's services at the Champaign Public Library. Highlights include the first physically separate space for children; collaboration with students from the University of Illinois library school; and growth in the collection and in programs. (LRW)

At the first Transborder Library Forum in 1991, 132 librarians from the United States and Mexico gathered to get to know one another, discuss issues of common interest, and begin to build an international network. Conference materials are provided in both English and Spanish. Keynote addresses were delivered by Alberto Alvaro Rios and Jesus Lau.…

Reviews public library services in the People's Republic of China since 1949. Describes the Shanghai Library, the second largest library in China; the Shanghai system's three level network (municipal, district or county, and street or town) of public libraries which provides for resource sharing, librarian training, professional activities, and…

Notes that while youth services programs seem to be diminishing in importance in library schools across the country, the need for them is increasing. Discusses why youth services is an essential core service in public libraries. Illustrates the professional value of youth services skills. Examines reasons why Library/Information Science schools…

This handbook is an expanded version of an original guide written as a basis for orientation and training of new children's librarians and allied personnel. It puts into one place the basics of library service to children, with an emphasis on the practical rather than the theoretical. Among topics covered are: (1) roles and responsibilities of…

Summarizes nine papers commissioned by the Department of Education for "Rethinking the Library in the 1990s." Common themes include user education, technological and social change, public policies, and changing roles for librarians. It is argued that these papers, which address adult services, need to be critiqued in terms of library…

Eight position statements from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), published from 1990 to 1993, are presented. "Position Statement on the Value of Library Media Programs in Education" (March 1993) affirms the importance of school library media specialists as part of the total educational team. "Sample Statement on…

Special section on libraries in New Zealand addresses the implications of the two cultures (i.e., Maori and British), public library service, innovation in teaching library and information studies, library services for Maori people, library services to schools, services to children, and key strategic issues facing the library and information…

This report is the result of a task force's examination of factors that promote or discourage access to public libraries, i.e., economic, educational, social, attitudinal, physical, and geographical factors. It begins by identifying the seven issues that the study focused on: (1) what makes a person feel welcome and comfortable in a public…

Examines the shortage of children's librarians based on a survey of professionals regarding training, recruitment, retention, and importance of children's librarians. Highlights include library school training and pertinent course offerings; career ladders for children's librarians; and staff recruitment as a reflection of the community,…

Discussion of oral narrative tradition and storytelling focuses on the role of librarian-storytellers. A story of children's librarians and their storytelling experiences at the Los Angeles Public Library is described, the process of acquiring and developing storytelling skills and roles is examined, and implications for administrators and…

Presents guidelines to help children's librarians develop libraries that will meet the future needs of children. Highlights include developing leaders; winning allies; improving public relations efforts; policy formation; organizational change; changing library education; doing research; and the need for evaluation. (LRW)

Discusses the art of storytelling for librarians, focusing on programing trends, stage fright, and selecting stories. Several books and videotapes providing storytelling instruction or suggested stories are described. An annotated bibliography of eight items is included. (MES)

Describes the qualities of a good children's reference librarian and discusses training that involves both on cognitive and affective training methods. Evaluation to measure the effectiveness of the trainee is discussed, and a model training workshop is presented that includes a sample assignment as well as basic reference sources for children's…