Provides a detailed table of contents and an overview of this special issue. Describes how federal agencies and other organizations are addressing issues related to the earth's changing environment, including providing the infrastructure for global change data and information management. (LRW)

Reviews a study conducted at the University of Alabama that compared two bibliographic instruction programs by using the Kohl and Wilson criteria to evaluate each method's effect on student term paper bibliographies, discusses the application of evaluation criteria, and offers suggestions to increase the effectiveness of evaluation criteria.…

This survey, which obtained responses from 37 countries, concluded that there are more than 4,500 toy libraries in the world in 31 countries on all continents. Libraries include (1) community-oriented toy libraries; (2) lekoteks for children with special needs; (3) toy libraries as a cultural, social, and recreational center; and (4) toy lending…

Describes a study conducted at Rutgers University that investigated whether the ability to recognize and assess the information-seeking stage of the user is limited to skilled and experienced intermediaries or is achievable by novice searchers. Searchers' assessment of the user's problem definition level and work stage are examined. (five…

Offers principals practical advice about writing for audiences other than the school community. Aspiring authors should look at hobby-related magazines and consult reference sources such as "The Writer's Market,""The Writer,""The Writer's Digest," and "The International Directory of Small Presses" for valuable writing and publishing tips. (MLH)

Summarizes the first report on the Intergovernmental Records Project (IRP) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Topics discussed include the use of RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network), a lack of indexing consistency and access term selection, the need for standards, and shared cataloging. (six references) (LRW)

Discusses the operations of the Government Printing Office's Office of Superintendent of Documents and suggests that changes are needed. The depository library program is discussed, government publications are described, the proliferation of publications and other information sources is considered, and issues relating to improvements are raised.…

Presents a research finding that elementary school principals generally have a broader conception of the role of the teacher-librarian than teacher-librarians themselves, together with seven comments on various facets of the finding. Bibliographic information is provided for the eight doctoral dissertations on which the overall finding and…

Discusses the issue of fees for library services from two viewpoints: (1) as a practical solution to financial difficulties, and (2) as a threat to traditional professional values. Economic theory is suggested as a new way to consider fees, with information described an economic commodity and as a public good. (six references) (LRW)

The six articles in this section examine prices of U.S. and foreign materials; book title output and average prices; book sales statistics; U.S. book exports and imports; number of book outlets in the United States and Canada; and book review media statistics. (LRW)

Types of U.S. library programs supporting literacy include family literacy, programs for homeless people, and specialized curricula for women. Besides the Library Services and Construction Act, federal social legislation provides financial resources for library literacy programs. (SK)

Discussion of the book review process focuses on a study that evaluated the efficacy of major journal reviews as a selection tool for books for adult children of alcoholics. Highlights include selection strategies for books not reviewed by major media; multiple reviews; small press books; and recommendations for strengthening review media. (12…

Describes a project undertaken at the Alcott School in Concord, Massachusetts, to recycle worn out books in the school library by having fifth graders design and construct attractive book jackets for them. Students select the books themselves and include their own reviews on the inside of the jacket. (MDM)

Describes the use of a telecommunications program called "PC Anywhere" to afford users remote access to compact disc ready-only-memory (CD-ROM) systems. Describes hardware requirements and benefits to libraries and users. (DMM)

Discusses results of a paper deterioration study of the general collection of the Brigham Young University (BYU) library and compares results with those from similar studies conducted at Yale University and Syracuse University. Paper acidity (measured by pH), brittleness, and age are examined; and future studies are suggested. (14 references) (LRW)