One of the most important roles for school libraries in the digital age is to provide students with a context for processing Internet information. It has been suggested that the school library should strive for a more pronounced clicks-and-mortar identity combining the best of the web and the traditional library collection.

A library media specialist describes the way in which she and her assistant re-evaluated the library media center program so that they could help students in finding books of their choice, easily. Library media center orientation includes remainders for students that there are often variations in library arrangements and formal and informal…

When Mary Ellen Icaza became Electronic Services Librarian at Montgomery County Public Libraries, she noticed that the readers' services information on the library web site was invisible, even to librarians. "And if staff can't find it," she says, "customers can't." She set out to help people find that material-and to turn a…

For as long as libraries have charged fines for books returned after their due dates, this familiar practice has excited comment and controversy. Fines are thought by many to deter patrons from keeping materials too long. However, others believe there is little persuasive evidence that fines are more effective at minimizing overdues than are…

This article features the Pierce County Library System (PCLS) in Tacoma, where new services are changing the way customers experience the library. PCLS is comprised of 17 branches, two bookmobiles, one Explorer Kid's bookmobile, serves 509,000 people, and has 234,000 cardholders. The evolution of customer expectations and needs motivated the…

In 2005, the University of Texas (UT) at Austin made some surprising national headlines when it removed the book collection from its undergraduate library. Behind the sensational headlines, the move was in fact more "life-as-usual" than "radical change." In today's academic libraries, technology is constantly redefining library…

The South Carolina State Library's plan for use of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Title I, II, and III funds is presented. Five chapters include: a profile of the library public, focusing on special needs populations; profiles of the state's libraries and their needs; criteria, priorities, and procedures for library improvement…

The public library board of trustees is an example of the great democratic tradition of giving authority for the operation of public agencies to members of the general public. The public library board is legally responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective operation of the public library. The board hires the library's administrator,…

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the research library in scholarly communication. Two main issues are addressed: (1) the explosion of printed materials coupled with a rapid increase in the price of these materials that jeopardizes the library's ability to create and maintain collections for users; and (2) the emergence of…

This report presents the results of a national survey on manpower in libraries, information centers, and archives in Thailand in both Thai and English. On November 26, 1987, 2,350 questionnaires were sent to 8 types of libraries, information centers, and archives: public libraries, national libraries, university libraries, college libraries,…

Based largely on recommendations from a 1986 strategy study, this long range plan for the improvement of library services in Idaho addresses goals and activities for the years 1989-1991. It is intended to support the direction of library development begun in 1984 to improve services to the user and to meet Library Services and Construction Act…

Compiled by the Maricopa County Library Council, Inc., a countywide library planning body made up of representatives of the various sizes and types of libraries in Maricopa County, Arizona, this planning document describes the current level of development in the county's public libraries and presents recommended development goals for college,…

Situated in the Manor Oaks Elementary School, the Hillside Public Library (HPL) serves as a joint school and public library. At the request of its board of trustees, a comprehensive survey of HPL operations was conducted by the Nassau County Library System. This report presents the findings of this survey, which are to be used in future planning.…

Library ananual report data for the state of South Carolina, including services and publications for 1974-75, are summarized. Tables list figures for county library construction, circulation, interlibrary loans, and state and federal expenditures; as well as income, expenditures, bookstock, and personnel for college, university, public, and…

Includes seven reports that discuss research on libraries and librarianship, including academic, public, and school libraries; awards and grants; number of libraries in the United States and Canada; National Center for Education Statistics results; library expenditures for public, academic, special, and government libraries; library budgets; price…