Contains reprints of three articles: (1) "Our Commission, Our Omissions" (Eric Moon), published in 1984, discusses the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science; (2) "Some Popular Objections to Public Libraries" (William Poole), published in 1876, addresses taxes and quality of books; and (3) "Readers and…

Eight articles address topics related to development and fund raising in libraries: philanthropy; public relations and fund raising; special events and fund raising; finding donors; annual funds in academic libraries; library capital campaigns; a public library endowment campaign; and planned giving. An introduction to the articles and a 244-item…

Demonstrates factors involved in moving a university library to a new location, based on experiences at the University of Kentucky. Some logistics of a move include the following: the collection has to be measured and its destination determined; a book that is relabeled should be handled only five times; book carts must avoid gridlock; getting it…

Describes the use of docents at the Denver Public Library and explains how to develop a successful volunteer docent program. Discusses their educational background; duties, including training patrons in computer use; cooperation of and acceptance by the professional staff; administrative support; and improved customer service. (LRW)

Considers how the implementation of self-checkout systems may affect library management in general and circulation departments in particular, focusing on the impact on circulation departments' workflow and the financial implications involved in implementing it. Suggests an opportunity for libraries to undergo a paradigm shift concerning the…

A young adult librarian describes how he brought the touring cast of the musical, "RENT," to the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Public Library to introduce teenagers to musical theatre. Discussion includes the initial contact process; planning the event; publicity; catering; the tremendous turn-out; and tips for arranging such a cast visit. (AEF)

Discussion of young adult library services focuses on the results of a survey of New Jersey public libraries. Highlights include job titles; population served; job responsibilities; young adult services; young adult staff; policy of information provision; young adult research preferences; and recommendations for future research. (LRW)

Discusses challenges to bookmobile and public library service. Topics include needed flexibility of the library organization and employees, redefining existing services in light of emerging competition for funds and customers, direct competitors, and library services aligning with mission. (LRW)

Discusses academic library collection-development theory and policy. Suggests that a standard collection of works specific to each discipline (a canon), is a powerful tool because such canons can censor the works that fall outside of the prevailing norms, the hegemony of the discipline. (LRW)

Discusses problems that adolescents deal with and examines the prejudices and lack of services that adolescents encounter in public libraries, including a lack of specialized staff, no separate space, no outreach programs, and disproportionate budget allocations. Emphasizes the need that adolescents have for adult relationships that public…

Discussion of decision making for librarians focuses on strategic decisions made to support library operations and growth. Examines five principles used to make good business decisions: basic philosophy of library operations, methodology for making choices, interlibrary cooperation and networking, internal and external influences, and assessment…

Since technology is so expensive, making the wrong purchasing decisions can have severe financial consequences. The purpose of this article is to describe three technology decisions that failed to achieve their original intent. For each of the three, the author's discuss the expectations of the chief information officer, the vendor's sales pitch,…

Circulation policies are guidelines used by staff and patrons when checking out materials. These policies usually address issues such as the number of items a patron may borrow, the length of time items may be kept, and if there will be consequences for nonreturn of materials. This article addresses issues library media specialists may want to…

The resurgence of interest in e-books, who uses them, and where the technology is headed were among the issues discussed March 16 at the eBooks in the Public Library Conference in New York, sponsored by the Open eBook Forum (OeBF). Roughly 200 librarians, publishers, and vendors braved a winter squall to share their expertise and experiences.…

Virtual reference services seem a natural extension of libraries digital collections and the emphasis on access to the library anytime, anywhere. If patrons use the library from home, it makes sense to provide them with person-to-person online reference. The Library of Congress (LC), OCLC, and several large library systems have developed and…