Explores portrayals of librarians in fictional works, notably those involving mystery or detection. Includes a summary of librarian roles derived from descriptions of about 120 contemporary or recent works obtained from reviewing sources and from direct examination. (AEF)

A study of 75 Indian parents of children with mental retardation found that many families were not aware of the availability of library-based information services. General information on mental retardation is the most needed category of information, and the age of the person with mental retardation and level of literacy affect the type of…

An elementary school librarian relates her experience talking a fifth grade boy out of committing suicide. Raises the question of librarian-student confidentiality in assembling a crisis management team. Argues that the school library should be a refuge, a place to get books and information, and love. (PEN)

Describes how a middle school librarian, initially dismayed at having the major constellations of the northern hemisphere painted on the school library ceiling, gradually found the painting to be a fine resource for mythology and astronomy, and eventually discovered it to be one enormous, fantastic, writing prompt. (SR)

Explores the perceptions of students entering university about the roles of librarians as well as other occupations by examining the role of professionalism in perceptions of occupations. Tests a model of professionalism developed by Elizabeth Graddy that focuses on the informational relationship between the professional service provider and those…

Discusses the role of librarians in teaching information literacy in higher education. Topics include faculty opposition; preparing teacher librarians with educational training; partnerships in relationship management; and information literacy for lifelong learning. (LRW)

Discussion of the role of school libraries focuses on a study in England that monitored secondary school students completing a resource-based learning project. Compared students' use of the school library at four different schools with their use of other information resources, including public libraries and the Internet. (Author/LRW)

A literary scholar recounts his personal experiences with manuscripts and archival materials of great variety and sees a pendulum shift back toward examining original source materials. Special collections need to reinsert themselves into the mainstream of intellectual life and promote themselves to students and scholars more effectively. (Author)

Presents interviews with Fred Kent, founder of the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) and Phil Myrick, PPS's assistant vice president, about transforming libraries into desirable public spaces. Discusses qualities people value in public spaces; great library buildings and what they are doing right; the first thing library directors should do when…

Discusses the control of digital content and the stakes for libraries and our democratic culture. Highlights include copyright term extension, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, use of contract law to limit the public domain, database legislation, trademarks versus the public domain, the void in our cultural vocabulary, and the concept of the…

Describes a statewide language-development program developed among Maryland's city, county, and regional library systems to help parents prepare their preschoolers for success in school. Discusses child development, the role of libraries, storytelling training, and preschool literacy efforts by the Public Library Association; and lists Web…

Presents ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) guidelines for library instruction and services for distance education. Highlights include the lack of service issues addressed in digital library discussions; distance students' characteristics; the library's role; and remote service to distance users. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the importance of libraries, books, and reading. Highlights include: the role of libraries in our culture; literacy, reading, and writing as the essence of thinking; the relationship between the book and the reader; and the impact of information technologies. (MES)

Addresses the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds' experiences working with school libraries and the lessons learned from the Library Power initiative, including: how school libraries can support national education goals, particularly in meeting the challenges outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; current threats to library reform; and how…

Considers the response of the public library to public demand for goods and services. The discussion makes distinctions between needs and wants and considers the roles of the public and private sectors in meeting user wants and needs. (two references) (MES)