A pilot survey of academic reference librarians in Nevada determined that 74% of those identified as second-career librarians cited prior work experience as influencing their present approach to work. Effects noted were service orientation, subject expertise, teaching skills, "information provider" philosophy, empathy, and interviewing…

Discusses a bill introduced in the January 1999 session of the Connecticut General Assembly that involves collaboration among community agencies to create additional after-school programs for children and improve upon existing ones. Presents details of one Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) member's testimony and her account of…

The Library of Congress (LC) has increasingly created digital reproductions of visual materials to enhance access to its resources. This article describes selected aspects of LC's practical experience and current practices from digital capture through interactions with users, with an emphasis on the integration of access to pictorial images online…

Reports on an initiative by the Toronto Public Library to create the "Virtual Reference Library" (VRL). Describes the first service to be offered, a Dewey application called "Science Net." Discusses the VRL and its precursor, objectives, basis for its funding, technical aspects, progress to date and future direction. (AEF)

A "professor librarian" at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland discusses the origins of her dual role; evolving and morphing roles; technology instruction in library education; reasons that librarians make ideal teachers of computer applications; problems with and benefits of the librarian as professor; and future…

Examines whether the established and traditional norms and standards of public librarianship structure the way challenges such as market orientation and privatization are met and coped with, or whether these standards are losing their structuring power. Compares three metropolitan library systems representing three different levels of…

Focuses on self-service, seamless, Web-based libraries--electronic libraries created by information professionals, Meta sites for the 21st Century where users with average Internet skills can find quality Web sites. Discusses content, design, effective implementation, and final evaluation. (AEF)

Reviews the profiles of a typical public library, the Redondo Beach Public Library (California), and its nearby community college library, the Schauerman Library at El Camino College in Torrance, California. Discusses similarities between staff in public and academic libraries; differences between the two environments; and like missions of both…

Suggests that young adult librarians must have a working knowledge of pop culture to stay in touch with their clientele's interests and needs. Provides a "Pop Culture Quiz," and tips for improving quiz scores, including eight Web sites for teenagers. (AEF)

Reflects on implications of phases one and two in the United Kingdom's Electronic Libraries Program (eLib). Discusses the four components of the third phase which includes the merging of print and electronic resources in the hybrid library. Discusses managerial lessons learned. (AEF)

Describes the use of focus groups to determine young adult needs in public libraries, based on experiences at the Johnson County Library system in Kansas City. Highlights include the benefits of focus groups over surveys, time involvement, how to design questions to ask, and compiling data. (LRW)

Discusses remote library users in an academic environment. Highlights include user needs and expectations; user satisfaction; service to remote customers in nonlibrary environments, such as industry; the distance-learning context; student demographics; distance learning and library services; course design; and a case study at De Paul University.…

Discussion of customer expectations of library service quality and SERVQUAL as a measurement tool focuses on two studies: one that compared a survey of Chinese university students' expectations of service quality to New Zealand students; and one that investigated national culture as a source of attitudes to customer service. (Author/LRW)

Discusses how libraries can apply for funding for youth services in libraries. Describes the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. Presents examples from four states of recently funding LSTA youth projects. Appendices list funding resources on the Web and print resources on funding. (AEF)

These eight articles describe successful public library programs for teens. Highlights include programs emphasizing immigrants' cultures; viewing film adaptations from appropriate books; summer book discussion groups; using music to promote reading; using teen and senior citizen volunteers to help restore books; teens as computer tutors for other…