The Web 2.0 "buzz" starts with new technologies such as virtual worlds, cell phones and handheld devices that offer 24/7 web access, tagging, social networks, and blogs and brings together various web capabilities in unique combinations. Web 2.0, however, is about much more than the technology--it is about a change in focus to participation, user…

This article provides an overview of some of the main areas surrounding the broad topic of "Digital Libraries". This includes the advantages and costs of digitisation; the traditional and digital library; the library community and digitisation; and an examination of various digital library projects. It is not exhaustive, but hopefully, it provides…

To introduce students to library research skills, university faculty often encourage them to attend hour-long presentations offered by the library. This face-to-face introduction to research skills can be disappointing, however, if students do not participate during the session. This article reports on a study that focused on improving student…

KidsClick! is a web-based instructional resource designed for K-12. In 2006 it was transferred to the San Jose State School of Library and Information Science, and was subsequently refocused for grades 4-9, ages 10-14, post-reading, and pre-adult reading level phases. This article describes three parts of the redesign project--content, interface,…

Whether it is a small group who shows up at school board meetings to defend a program cut or a group of parents who, via website, blog, e-mail, phone calls, and visits, challenge a state legislature to provide funding for school library programs and resources, parents are the strongest advocates for school library programs, writes the President of…

Knowing that some students appreciate their library's value and want to contribute to its new developments, the author sought to generate discussion about her library to know how her library patrons use the internet. At first, she created a blog, but after that attracted few responses, she built a wiki instead, to invite more student interaction.…

Past research has shown teenagers to be reluctant to read and less likely to visit libraries than younger children. These conclusions are debated and further investigation is needed. Difficulties abound in researching teenagers' opinions. Teenagers can be reluctant to participate in activities and peer support is often very important in…

This study examines the differences in undergraduate library use by academic discipline at Oregon State University (OSU). In the winter of 2006, an online questionnaire about physical and virtual library use was distributed to 3,227 OSU undergraduates; 949 responses were received. Chi-square tests were used to distinguish differences between user…

The intent of this exploratory study is to identify the information-seeking behaviors used by community college students when using information resources to complete a writing assignment, the expectations that faculty have in regard to that writing assignment and the role librarians can play in that process through information literacy…

The annual "Florida Library Directory with Statistics" is intended to be a tool for library staff to present vital statistical information on budgets, collections, and services to local, state, and national policymakers. As with previous editions, this 2001 edition includes the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other information…

The "Victorian Free Library Service Board Act" of 1946 was the culmination of a long campaign to replace the mechanics' institute model of library provision with free libraries funded by state and local government. Given that library reform required legislation by the state government, this paper is mainly concerned with the political…

Treasures await students and researchers on the shelves of libraries and archives across the country, but unfortunately they often remain unknown to the "modern" researcher who limits his/her research to using the Internet. The process of physically going to the library stacks and browsing the shelves in a subject area is on the decline…

The purpose of this document is to orient new system staff and advisory council members to their roles and responsibilities in the Texas Library System. It contains information on the history, governance, funding, services, and administration of the systems. Chapter 1 contains a discussion of the history of library systems in Texas and some key…

Library studies in institutions of higher learning in socialist countries regularly include studies of library legislation. The topic is integrated into course syllabuses and textbooks, and is discussed in detail in such courses as "Organization and Management of Librarianship" taught at all library educational institutions in the USSR.…

This annual report highlights services to the blind and physically handicapped, progress in library automation and interlibrary cooperation, administration of state aid and funding from the Library Services and Construction Act, library development-planning and research, public library income, public information, continuing education, and other…