Examines the failure of libraries to meet the information needs of gay and lesbian adolescents. Reviews research in homosexuality and the development of homosexual identities. Discusses library services for gays and lesbians, the experience of gays and lesbians in secondary schools, and the role of the school library; provides a content analysis…

Considers the benefits of incorporating library outreach programs into regular ongoing library services, based on experiences at the Chicago Public Library. Highlights include literacy programs; recognition of cultural diversity, including special services and collections for various ethnic groups; and services for deaf, blind, and physically…

Identifies resource allocation patterns and establishes a basis for understanding academic library service costs through a cost analysis of public services. Results of a survey of 101 academic libraries indicate that libraries have responded to increased costs for resource materials by increasing that budget and decreasing the budget for salaries.…

Reviews technological advances of computer and noncomputer services for the deaf community, describes World Wide Web sites and library services that provide information paths for the deaf, and reviews the progress of institutions devoted to deaf education. An appendix lists World Wide Web addresses discussed in the article. (JMV)

An Association of Research Libraries survey of Alabama public university libraries revealed that disabled populations on campuses were not being served; 27 questions were divided into categories of general information, management and training, space, and general services. Reasons for lack of preparation included lack of knowledge and funding. The…

Suggests strategies for finding information in gophers that will increase access to Internet information resources for library users. Highlights include search strategies; veronica searches; jughead searches; keyword lists; Boolean operations; gophers with subject menus; subject guides; listservs; and World-Wide Web. (eight references) (LRW)

Describes successful programs for latchkey youth in public libraries. Information was gathered from 17 libraries described in the book "Latchkey Children in the Library Community." Four years later, four libraries expanded their programs, seven modified them, and six no longer offered programs. (JKP)

Librarians can play a major role in the development of Holocaust literature programs for libraries and classrooms through reading strategies, including annotation, shared inquiry, and interpretive discussion. Librarians and students use writing journals to articulate and exchange questions, comments, and feelings about the books they have read.…

Identifies some of the distinguishing characteristics of business information and examines their impact on reference transactions. Topics include characteristics of business patrons; question negotiation; dealing with patrons' expectations; helping patrons devise a search strategy; understanding search results; requisite skills for business…

Presents an overview of the 1990 census and its many components, including sources of census data, format availability such as CD-ROM and databases, and ways in which census data are used. The effect of new technology, especially CD-ROM, on users and reference librarians is considered. (Author/LRW)

Examines the provision of in-person help to users seeking information on online public access catalogs (OPACs). A significant change in the demand for service was identified when there was a change from offering traditional from-the-desk service to point-of-use help at the OPAC terminals. Results suggest that while it is important to continue to…

Analyzes student dissertations at the School of Information Studies for Africa (SISA) at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) in order to present an overview of the library and information systems and services available in seven eastern and southern African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. (Author/LRW)

Reports on a project which developed a measure of levels of difficulty of reference questions handled by the California Interlibrary Reference Referral Network, and identified indicative measures that would reliably stand for the concept of difficulty. Correlations of predictive difficulty and actual difficulty are discussed. (nine references)…

Describes the growing number of dictionaries available to reference librarians, discusses factors that have led to the need for more dictionaries, and provides buying guidelines to help in selection decisions. Electronic versions of various dictionaries are described, and a sidebar examines the "American Heritage Dictionary" revisions.…

Discusses cooperative library development in Europe and the concept of national library policies as the result of library programs in the European Community. Topics addressed include library trends; international standards; information technology; differences in library services throughout Europe; lending and rental rights; and data protection for…