Describes sources of information at the New York State Library that pertain to hearing impairment. Topics addressed include New York State's role in the development of deaf education; background on the state library; and library services aimed at special populations. A selected bibliography of 45 relevant items in the library collection is…

These two articles examine library activities in Ethiopia. One describes the information and documentation services of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies Library, including its publications, conferences, seminars, and suggestions for improvements; the second article describes Ethiopian libraries prior to 1900, which were primarily church and…

This paper describes public library services to deaf and hard of hearing persons in Denmark. Topics covered include: (1) target groups, including deaf, deafened, hard of hearing persons, professionals and relatives who have contact with the hearing impaired, and other groups using visual communication; (2) means of communication, including sign…

Presents guidelines and a self-assessment questionnaire that were developed by the New York Library Association for libraries serving users with hearing impairments. Areas covered by the documents include policy statements, materials, services, programing, cooperation with other agencies, facilities, and staff development. (LRW)

This guide is a general introduction to school libraries with specific information for libraries in Alaska. More than 60% of the nearly 500 public schools in Alaska have fewer than 200 students, and it is not unusual to find school libraries staffed by people with little or no preparation. This guide answers many frequently asked questions. The…

This second revised edition of a guide to promoting and attracting users to a church library retains most of the material of the previous edition, adds new material, and updates the references. Guidelines are presented in six chapters: (1) "Promoting Library Use" (stages of promotion, ways of attracting the attention and interest of prospective…

This guide provides guidelines for promoting and attracting users to a church library. The first of six chapters, "Promoting Library Use," discusses stages of promotion, methods of attracting the attention and interest of prospective users, and how to involve members of the congregation in library activities; the second chapter, "Publicizing the…

The five papers compiled here cover topics related to electronic publishing, library collections and services, interlibrary loan, and serials. In "The Impact of Electronic Publishing on Library Collection and Services: An American View," Joseph W. Price considers possible consequences on library collections and services in the United…

Despite predictions that the Latino population will become the nation's largest minority group, mainstream publishing offers few titles for Spanish-language collections development. This article describes how the San Antonio (TX) public library has developed a "Latino Collection." Includes highlights on how the Queens Borough (NY) Public…

The collection and services of the Alexandria Digital Library (ADL) at the University of California Santa Barbara focus on geospatial information sources with links to geographic locations. Evaluation studies conducted within the ADL project are described as well as what was learned about user characteristics and reactions to ADL. (Author/AEF)

Presents four challenges faced by libraries and proposes research designs to address each of them. The challenges involve: invisible infrastructure; content and collections; preservation and access; and institutional boundaries. Proposes a mixture of research methods that includes surveys, case studies, documentary analyses, and policy analyses.…

Reference librarians must determine the unique information needs of patrons and develop and market appropriate collections and services. The changing instructional paradigm in education provides an opportunity for encouraging information use and literacy for the educational community. Discussion includes information seeking and library use by…

Examines issues and trends surrounding the changing library environment, and how changes have influenced the role of librarians. Analysis of the library environment in the past, present, and future included four elements: (1) role of the librarian; (2) library collections; (3) technologies; and (4) users' needs. (AEF)

Considers trends in measurement and evaluation of reference service and summarizes research findings on the importance of reference work, library clientele, reference questions, duties of the reference librarians, and the effectiveness of reference service. Measures for the organization and performance of reference work, the adequacy of reference…

Describes the provision of library services to performing musicians in a music conservatory and focuses on their need for information in three main categories: (1) access to collections through library catalogs and other sources, (2) sources for the study of musical scores, and (3) research using sources for contextual and background research. (10…