Re-examines seven major public library central facilities that were built or renovated in the past six years, including Chicago (Illinois), Los Angeles (California), Denver (Colorado), Phoenix (Arizona), San Antonio (Texas) and Vancouver (British Columbia). Topics include coping with crowds; new uses for the libraries; reorganization of space;…

The population of state and federal prisons quadrupled between 1971 and 1991, increasing demand for library resources. Outlines the history of prison libraries (1700s-1990s); discusses prison libraries and librarians, law collections, reference services, literacy programs, and funding; and provides a bibliography of prison librarianship covering…

Reviews selected research studies with practical application to university library service models and offers suggestions for a research agenda supporting the advancement of strategic services. Discusses information-seeking behavior; user education, information literacy, and learning technologies; scholarly communication and the digital library;…

Following a background on the development of Library Industry Competency Standards within Australia and the impact of these standards, this paper focuses on issues raised, opportunities for integration, and future challenges. Concludes that through staff participation and simplicity of implementation the standards have the potential to add to…

This study counted managers of academic, public, and special libraries to determine the number of managers by gender. Findings indicate male managers outnumber females in large public libraries and large/medium-large academic libraries; however, the overall numbers give females a three-to-one advantage in management. (AEF)

Partnerships formed between public libraries and school library media centers where resources and facilities are shared have increased. Discusses the experiences of Washoe County Library System (Nevada), the New Orleans Public Library (Louisiana) and their respective school districts. Partnerships increased collections, space, and financing but…

A study of Nigerian university libraries revealed that government funds allocated to purchasing books were doubled following accreditation. Several thousand books and hundreds of journal titles were added to each library. Appendixes contain a list of Nigerian universities and a copy of the questionnaire used in the study. (PEN)

Reports results of a survey of public libraries that investigated trends in audiovisual materials. Highlights include format issues; audiobooks; media budgets for various formats; video collections; DVDs; circulation; collection sizes; music CDs; and future possibilities. (LRW)

Shared knowledge, while not a new concept, is receiving new emphasis in a global society. National and other research libraries can fruitfully collaborate to maximize the public value of their materials. The partnership of the British Library with the Harry Ransom Center (University of Texas at Austin) is one example of this. (Author)

Describes a questionnaire survey that identified characteristics of members of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Inc. Results discussed include types of libraries; regional distribution; clientele; services offered by libraries; use of online bibliographic databases; backgrounds of professional staff; collections and subject…

Describes a study that examined the impact of federated library systems on member library services, resources, and operations in Pennsylvania. The discussion includes a rationale for the research methodology used, and comments on the absence of reliable library statistics and published reports as a basis for comparison with pre-systems situations.…

Reviews patterns of library resource sharing and discusses how academic libraries can increase the capacity and effectiveness of future resource sharing and shared collection development programs. A strategic model based on a Research Libraries Group study is presented, with special emphasis on winning the support of faculty. (eight references)…

Overview of the new guidelines for school library media programs developed cooperatively by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology reviews issues such as information studies curriculum, planning, media specialist roles, personnel, and information resources. (MES)

Examines arguments in favor of membership in the Center for Research Libraries in light of changing collections and services, the cooperative collection development environment, and the needs of research libraries. The discussion covers classic arguments for participation and methods for assessing the value of four membership benefits. (76 notes…

The lead article in this section argues that the profession's current focus on technology has compromised academic librarianship's scholarly values, eroded the quality of rhetoric between librarians and patrons, and contributed to the ascendancy of information over knowledge. Renewal of the teaching function and reaffirmation of traditional values…