Narrative text and 6 tables provide information about a survey of 105 libraries on materials spending: number of questionnaires sent and returned; number and percentage of libraries with a materials spending policy; how percentages were determined; average (mean) percentage spent for materials; change in percent spent for materials in recent…

Describes a survey of public libraries that addressed the presence of latchkey children in libraries, library policies regarding this population, and services that are or should be offered. In-depth interviews with 10 librarians explored ideal responses to latchkey children, advice on library services, and community services for children. (14…

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)

Describes the Eastside Cybrary Connection, part of the Riverside (California) Public Library, developed for young people ages 10 and up in a low-income, minority neighborhood. Highlights include electronic technology and print; collaboration between the public library, academic institutions, and community-based organizations; fund raising; and the…

This preliminary study suggests that the same level of timeliness and accuracy can be obtained for answers to reference questions using resources in freely available World Wide Web sites as with traditional print-based resources. Discusses implications for library collection development, new models of consortia, training needs, and costing and…

This article is designed to help public libraries provide support for people with mental retardation through the implementation of "Guidelines for Library Services for People with Mental Retardation", developed by the American Library Association. Topics include needs assessment; staff training; adaptive technology; resource formats,…

Discusses AACR2 rule changes that have the greatest impact on public service librarians. Topics discussed include sound recordings; computer files; materials for the visually handicapped; and access issues relating to pseudonyms, geographic names in the British Isles, and serial title changes. (three references) (LRW)

Investigates how the needs of adult new readers are being met in five North Texas public library systems using the PLA's (Public Library Association) list of recommended titles for "Adult New Readers" for 1993-97 as the comparative sample. All the libraries had titles from the sample, though there was considerable variance. Only one…

Examines the catalogs of 19 urban public library systems, 10 American and nine Canadian, to determine the extent of their holdings of 99 gay-related fiction titles in English for young adults. Data are tabulated by title, and a list of the titles surveyed is appended. (Author/LRW)

Discusses electronic text collections, bookstores on the Web, reader advisories, cyber book reviews, and resources for librarians explaining how to locate online reading materials. Suggests that librarians can exploit online book resources to complement current collection-development strategies or use them as virtual reader's advisories. Cites 17…

Circulation of individual titles held by Wellington Public Library (New Zealand) were compared before and after television dramatizations of the works had been aired; the objective was to establish whether readers' choice of title was influenced by television. Results showed no statistically significant increase, indicating that television…

This followup to a 1989 study of current sources for bibliographic information on videos examines three main sources: (1) OCLC; (2) Bowker's Complete Video Directory; and (3) Video Source Book. Coverage is compared for new titles as well as for titles from the previous study, and differences between the three sources are described. (LRW)