If the youth services department is to receive its fair share of staff, equipment, respect, and funding, the youth services librarian must learn to express needs to the library director in terms of statistics, goals and objectives, and budget. (MES)

The Michigan Library Trustees Manual covers the following topics: (1) characteristics of a good public library, (2) characteristics of good library trustees and boards, (3) responsibilities and duties of trustees in relation to those of the library, (4) planning and policymaking, (5) board meetings, (6) sample by-laws, (7) budget and finance, (8)…

This digest explores the life cycle of public libraries, presenting a "life stages" model and highlighting characteristics of each stage. It provides specific advice on what can be done in each stage to energize the library with "stage-appropriate" action. The characteristics that mark the Birth/Infant stage include: driving…

Explains the history of the staffing pressures felt by the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City, and describes steps taken to reallocate personnel, the method of data-gathering and analysis, and the effects of the changes on the system. (JVP)

This essay aimed at large and medium-sized public libraries discusses library administration as a low-level function meant to support, rather than rule, the nonadministrative staff; management and administration as separate functions; the delegation of responsibility; and tasks of the administrator. (EJS)

This handbook is designed to be used as a quick reference and to provide Nevada public library trustees with basic information for helping Nevada public libraries increase their services to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the people of Nevada. The handbook consists of the following chapters: Take Time to Learn the…

Reviews the recent American Library Association publication, "Planning and Role Setting for Public Libraries: A Manual of Options and Procedures," noting omissions in its approach. Several reasons for including the larger library community in the planning process are discussed. (MES)

Reports on a study conducted in the fall of 1974 to survey goal and objective setting efforts as a management activity in selected large public libraries. (Author/PF)

Most countries have school legislation, and many have library legislation; however, in very few is school library legislation found. It is noteworthy that school libraries are the weakest in many library systems. There is a strong case to be made for a legal requirement that library services be established in all recognized schools and vocational…

This manual was developed to formalize Inglewood Public Library's existing policies and programs regarding library services to the Spanish speaking, and to define future program goals. The introduction discusses why such services have been initiated, why the manual was developed, and the potential benefits the manual has for library…

Three articles address the relationship between a library and the vendor of its automated system from several points of view: library-initiated vendor abandonment, vendor-initiated abandonment, nonperforming vendor and nonfunctioning system, and changing systems. Acceptance testing and financial, personnel, and legal aspects of vendor abandonment…

This revised edition reflects the changes that have taken place in the commonwealth's community of public libraries since the "Handbook" was published in 1991. This handbook is designed to give boards of trustees' basic information on the structure of library service in Virginia, with emphasis on their major areas of responsibility.…

This handbook for Trustees of the Wisconsin Public Library describes in detail the tasks involved in being a library trustee. The handbook comprises a number of "Trustee Essentials" that cover the basic essential information needed by Trustees, as well as sources of additional information. Contents include: The Trustee Job Description;…

A first-time project manager on a $4 million library addition and renovation project by the Homewood (Alabama) Public Library shares her experiences. Sidebars provide tips for new library project managers; description of construction administration documents; effective phrases to use with the contractor; and the top 10 lies told to a library…

This annual report highlights services to the blind and physically handicapped, progress in library automation and interlibrary cooperation, administration of state aid and funding from the Library Services and Construction Act, library development-planning and research, public library income, public information, continuing education, and other…