Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is an incurable neurological disease with an unknown cause. Since AD is not only social and health challenge but also an economic and fiscal burden and its prevalence is expected to grow exponentially as world population gets older, in 2012 the World Health Organization (WHO) and…

Although the quality, performance and future of public library services in the UK is a matter of debate, there is little doubt that in recent years, despite claims relating to the emergence of a cyber-society, interest in library buildings and the library as "place" has been intense, almost matching that seen during the Carnegie era of…

The article describes the conception and the doubts surrounding this new library, and reports upon the achievements of the first year after it opened in February 1977. The users, facilities, and services are discussed briefly. (Author/JAB)

The libraries visited by the author while doing research for A History of French Foreign Policy, 1774-1939," his latest book, are described. (NH)

The architectural designs of 13 of Canada's 124 Carnegie libraries are briefly described with 17 photographs showing features of the buildings. (CHC)

As a result of damage from the Mexico City earthquake of September 1985, some of the busiest public and special libraries had to be closed. A National Committee for the Reconstruction of Libraries was established, and international support was received through the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and other…

Describes facilities, collections, and services of the Greater Cairo Library, Mubarak Public Library, Heliopolis Public Library, and El Mustaqbal Library and Egyptian efforts to promote literacy and reading. (PEN)

Explains the revamping of library services in London's East End that will begin with the library buildings being sold and replaced with Idea Stores, positioned in high-density shopping areas. Discusses combining traditional library services with adult education, performance space, daycare, and retail style. (LRW)

Based mainly on the experiences of seven Dutch public libraries during a 5-year study, this report discusses issues related to the integration of audiovisual materials and equipment into existing library collections. Following a brief introduction, its contents are divided into chapters: (1) Collection Building; (2) Processing; (3) Cataloguing;…

This fact book, compiled to fill the need of practicing librarians and researchers for recent data on public libraries, contains statistics concerning or relevant to the U.S. public library system. Data on all aspects of American public libraries are summarized from such sources as annual reports, journal articles, surveys, books, doctoral theses,…

Includes eight articles that address issues related to library design and function in Australia. Highlights include renovations and redevelopments; public libraries' expansions for changing needs, including a youthspace; a joint-use university and public library; the new Australian War Memorial research center; and a new university library. (LRW)

Discusses the adaptation of existing buildings for public libraries in Kenya by the Kenya National Library Service. Topics include the role of the community; determining the suitability of adapted buildings from a library management perspective; and recommendations, including updating standards, increasing the number of professional librarians,…

Drawing on recent experience and observation in New South Wales, this paper describes issues facing authorities, planners and librarians who are working on public library building projects. The author emphasises the need for all involved to focus not just on traditional good design principles, but also on user needs, consulting the community,…

This paper discusses the design of flexible and intelligent library buildings. The first section addresses how flexibility, as one of the requirements of a library building, that has high priority in the planning process. Intelligent libraries are considered in the second section, and functionality is stressed. The third section examines…

This paper describes the foreign and home literature collection on scientific research, natural sciences and technology, conference papers, and professional monographs; reference aids and catalogs; library reading facilities; and national and international library services of the National Public Library for Sciences and Technology (NPLST) in the…