Discusses the mission of public libraries in light of the decision to purchase Madonna's book "Sex." Three viewpoints are presented: a critic of selection policies that are too broad in the name of intellectual freedom; the director of a small public library with a limited budget; and a library historian. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Discussion of the need for strategic planning in public libraries highlights a case study of a small resort town library, the Crawford Memorial Library, in Monticello, New York. Deciding on specific library roles and planning their implementation are described, and the importance of environment and competition in strategic planning is explained.…

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.…

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…

Presents transcript of interviews with three administrators of small rural libraries. Highlights include state and national encouragement of marketing efforts; funding for in-service education for rural public librarians; changing roles of rural public libraries; library standards; and advice for newly appointed directors. (LRW)

Presents revision of the original "Guidelines for Establishing Information and Referral Service in Public Libraries," adopted by the Public Library Association Board of Directors on January 22, 1980. The revision approved on January 8, 1985, reflects changes in terminology and in the information and referral field during past five years. (EJS)

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 results of Flossmoor Public Library's long-range planning initiatives for youth services, which has resulted in improvements in collection development and programing. Evaluation procedures and techniques were recognized as valuable learning tools to increase the effectiveness of services, enhance communication with the board and…

Describes a project in which 15 public libraries in the Bay Area Library and Information System undertook simultaneous local planning using the Public Library Development Program planning and role setting process. Areas discussed include planning team workshops and meetings, implementation of the planning process, writing the planning document,…

Describes guidelines issued by the Public Library Association which base evaluation of individual public libraries on community standards rather than national; identify eight basic roles of the library within the community; and provide a suggested process for libraries and communities to assess service needs and determine which activities to…

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…

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)

Discusses four competing public images of the public library and its relation to information technology, as identified in recent research: the traditional library, the resisting library, the adapting library, and the co-opted library. Suggests that the public perceives the management of public information as a complex problem requiring a variety…

Twelve community telephone surveys administered to the residents of 34 Connecticut towns measured their knowledge, attitudes, and use related to public library services. Results suggested needed improvements in collection development, the importance of location, and residents' willingness to pay more per year for library services. (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)