School Library Journal book review editors have selected and annotated their choices for the best children's and young adults' books from those books that were submitted for review during 1977 by general book trade book publishers. Included in the annotations are: author, title, publisher, price, and recommended reading and interest levels. (JPF)

Provides guidelines for locating alcohol research information and building library collections on alcohol. Resource organizations, including government agencies, research institutions, and publishers, are identified and several access tools are described. The future directions of alcohol research and its dissemination are discussed. (Author/EM)

This first in a series of articles outlines general requirements (flexibility, compatibility and control, response time and volume, searching, data entry); functional requirements (acquisitions, circulation, departmental subscriptions, internal and external reports, interlibrary loan, journals/serials, codes, patron); and use of the data…

This fourth annual annotated list was compiled by the Notable Documents Committee of the American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table. It includes federal, international, and state documents published two years prior to the date of the list that are considered notable based on 10 criteria. A source list is included. (EM)

Examines the relationship between the responsibility of librarians to reject materials that threaten the moral and social values of the community and support for intellectual freedom by the library profession. Criteria that justify the censorship of materials are identified and discussed. (16 references) (CLB)

Examines library availability studies for the past 50 years as a measure of library effectiveness and looks at their differing sources of study samples, methods for gathering data, categories of nonavailability, and data analysis. The Kantor branching technique developed in 1976 is described as the standard analysis method. (Author/EM)

Describes an innovative library which uses puppets, a pretend computer, stuffed animals, and science displays to appeal to children's interests and to create positive attitudes. (DST)

Discusses precautions which can be taken to minimize loss or damage to library buildings and collections resulting from natural disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, storms). Preventive measures (alarm systems, interior protection), salvage efforts, restoration of collection and library facility, rebuilding collection and…

Explores some of the problems that will confront librarians and scholars in a paperless society. Highlights include the technological determinants of information survival, the library's institutional role, the stock of knowledge, electronic publishing and the stock of knowledge, and other issues. Seven references are cited. (EJS)

Examines steps taken by the University of California to establish an adequate base library book budget and to measure price increase needs to maintain budgeted acquisition rates. The Voigt/Susskind Acquisitions Model, securing adequate funding for price increase needs, and the university's price increase justification are highlighted. (EJS)

Suggests utilizing community resources for school library programming as a technique for influencing student use of the library. Establishing resource files, preparation and objectives of the program, coordinating announcements and/or invitations to participate, documentation of the program, evaluation of the program, and indirect benefits are…

Reports results of a survey of 293 colleges and universities that reveals a growing trend toward making computer software and hardware available to faculty and students, despite potential illicit copying software. The role of the academic library and copyright implications are discussed. Twenty-three references are cited. (EJS)

Presents guidelines developed by Cataloging of Children's Materials Committee of American Library Association for standardized cataloging of print and nonprint materials. Examples of annotated catalog cards in AACR2 form include a description, notes, standard number, name and title access points, subject headings, and classification. Seven sources…

Report on a survey of 462 public librarians highlights existing bibliographic practices in managing nonbook media in library collections; attitudes about nonbook media as information sources (cost, informational value, storage and use); and attitudes about bibliographic access to nonbook media (integrated catalogs, classification schemes). Eleven…

Description of the Kurzweil Reading Machine, which uses a special camera and computer to transform printed matter into synthetic speech; includes reading and sound production, machine operation, adjusting to different typefaces, and limitations. Review of the portable reading aid for the partially sighted, Viewscan, discusses characteristics,…