Many people are investing these days, but many librarians, especially non-business librarians, are uncomfortable helping patrons with questions on the subject. This reference guide gives librarians the knowledge and confidence to assist patrons in identifying the correct information in a critical but little understood investment area--the bond…

This directory lists the names of volunteer groups and individuals who transcribe and record books and other reading materials under the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program. The listing is alphabetical by state. Each entry is assigned an index number and specifies such services as braille…

This paper describes the impact that technological change over the past few decades has had on a number of key interfaces to the library catalog, including the user, resource, abstract/index, and union catalog interfaces. Areas of focus for future development are then highlighted, including: (1) reassessing data requirements and conventions in…

This instructional unit combines a study of the Soviet leader V. I. Lenin with a study of libraries. Lenin was selected as the focus because of his support of books and libraries and because he oversaw a revolution that altered the political and social structure of Russia and the balance of power throughout the world. Included are lesson plan…

This booklet presents guidance on building superior school library media centers by outlining conceptual plans from actual school libraries and explaining how to address specific planning and operational issues. The booklet discusses how to address the unique ergonomic and technology needs of children; how to control costs using proven bidding and…

The library system at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) is decentralized and scattered throughout the multiple building campus, which itself is spread over the of town of Leuven. This paper presents an overview of a discussion at the university leading to the construction of a new central library for its Exact Sciences campus. Arguments…

Covering the academic years 1996-97 and 1997-98, this report focuses on activities of the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) since the 1996-97 review, and includes a response to recommendations that were made in that review. The paper is divided into two parts--Part A: "Biennial…

This booklet outlines the activities of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for libraries and museums. IMLS grants support all types of museums from art and history to science and zoos, and all types of libraries, from public and academic to research and school. IMLS enables libraries and…

A number of libraries in Europe are involved in the development of Internet subject gateways--services that aim to help users find high quality resources on the Internet. Subject gateways such as SOSIG (Social Science Information Gateway) have been available on the Internet for some years now, and they offer an alternative to Internet search…

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded universal support to eligible schools and libraries. To administer the universal service program for schools and libraries, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) directed the creation of the Schools and Libraries Corporation (Corporation). As a start-up operation, the Corporation has had to develop…

The phrase, "digital divide," has been applied to the gap that exists in most countries between those with ready access to the tools of information and communication technologies and the knowledge that they provide access to, and those without such access or skills. This gap may be because of socio-economic, geographical, educational,…

This paper addresses two key issues related to the disciplinary role of journals in library and information science (LIS). The first issue is the nature of knowledge as communicated through public mechanisms such as journals. The second issue is the set of attributes that characterizes a portion of the content of LIS journals. In order to complete…

Based on an informal survey of 26 small national library associations, this paper examines "twinning" (i.e., a formal substantive collaboration between two organizations) between library associations in general and with particular emphasis on the small associations' experience. It examines their characteristics and discusses the…

Digital materials are vulnerable to a number of different kinds of failures, including decay of the digital media, loss due to hackers and viruses, accidental deletions, natural disasters, and bankruptcy of the institution holding the collection. Digital archives can best survive failures if they have made several copies of their collections at…

Following the 1999 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Conference, the Executive Board established an Advisory group to examine issues that were raised concerning Division 8, specifically the recommendation to mainstream Section 8 activities with the other seven divisions, thus dissolving this division. This…