Examines what differences libraries and librarians make, primarily from the perspective of geographical communities. States reasons why this is an essential research issue and describes contributions of current public library planning tools to the determination of impact. Examines the framework that is essential for the intellectual development of…

Discusses the need for campuswide, organizational change to address the academy culture to be successful and suggests that in order for librarians to be effective in initiating information literacy or other educational reforms they must be seen as equals by faculty, in teaching and in governance. (Author/LRW)

Presents a profile of Cherry Creek High School (Colorado) and its library media program and describes the following five elements of power that library media centers have to increase student achievement and love of learning: (1) access; (2) support for data driven decision making; (3) integration of technology; (4) connections between teaching and…

Focuses on the establishment of the first popular lending library in the Netherlands in 1794 and its development until the early nineteenth century. Explores the work of the Society for the Common Benefit and examines the organization of popular lending libraries. (CMK)

Briefly reviews the history of public libraries in the United States and discusses the features that make them distinctive from other libraries, including patrons served, objectives, services provided, collections, involvement in public relations and dependence on local financial support. It is argued that public libraries have a bright future,…

Discusses the need for library collection development to address the needs of the increasing elderly population by providing information in the areas of gerontology, nutrition, and consumer health. Works cited concern the positive aspects of aging or ways of coping with negative aspects. (29 references) (Author/CLB)

Provides suggestions for teaching library skills to mainstreamed special education students for each of the four components of the instructional model: (1) determining skill level; (2) setting objectives; (3) instructing with modification (methods, materials, and motivation); and (4) monitoring progress. (seven references) (MES)

Argues that the inability or refusal of librarians to define their own mission has resulted in school libraries without professional staff, academic libraries perceived as warehouses, and public libraries that fluctuate with society's whims. The premise that saving the library is a primary concern, regardless of the quality of the institution, is…

Reviews research that indicates that effective adult education should focus on the immediate needs of the student and applies those findings to library instruction. Suggestions for instructional approaches that stress the practical aspects of library instruction and address the special needs of adult reentry students are offered. (21 references)…

Argues that current technologies offer unique possibilities for instructional improvement and identifies probable obstacles to exploitation of these opportunities for all students, including female, handicapped, inner-city and rural, minority, disadvantaged, and average learners. A 2-tiered model is presented for the media specialist addressing…

The article gives parents of physically disabled children suggestions for development of an assistive device lending library through the public or school library. Guidelines for writing the proposal (the introduction, statement of need, suggested funding sources, advantages for the library) and submitting the proposal are given. (DB)

Argues that collection development systems need to exert greater control over scholarly and educational information if the systems are to adapt to changing technical and economic conditions. Steps toward increased control should include categorization of sources and access by function, ongoing definition of a title-specific core, and the…

Describes the results of a survey of rural public libraries that examined the impressions of librarians involved in establishing the role of the library, the degree to which planning is accomplished, and current socioeconomic data relevant to rural libraries. The discussion focuses on the finding that librarians are not planning for future…

Describes a survey of public librarians that examined their understanding and use of bibliographic instruction and their beliefs about the role of instruction in reference services. No consensus was found, but respondents' views seemed to be mediated by training in bibliographic instruction, library size, and the library's policy on user…

Reviews the development of public libraries during the twentieth century and examines the influences of public libraries on twentieth-century presidents. It is noted and discussed that presidents who were well served as youths by public libraries or who provided leadership for public libraries during their administrations came from families of…