Examines conflicting perspectives on the use of values clarification as a teaching method or as part of a curriculum for elementary and secondary levels. Implications for school libraries on issues such as materials selection and censorship by a school board are discussed. (BK)

Implementation plans and methodology for achieving the effective transformation of a traditional high school library to a Library/Media Center are given. (Author/MK)

Examines traditional systems of information service in Australia and comments on how these methods fit with the notions of national resource sharing and self-sufficiency. Discusses the Scientific Serials in Australian Libraries (SSAL), searching other organizations for materials, ILANET (Information Libraries Access Network) mail server,…

Studies show that the older a child gets the less likely he or she is to trust a librarian. To encourage pre-YAs (pre-young adults, 6th-8th graders) to use the library, librarians should consider four elements: client, librarian, library, and materials and services. Discusses these elements and suggests how to make the library more appealing to…

Differing perspectives of reference collection development librarians and publishers are presented for the following topics: fairness of pricing trends; best/worst ways to communicate about new reference titles; deciding which sources should be published; impact of electronic materials on reference services; deciding on/selecting formats; and…

Describes the development of Books for Africa, an organization that solicits donations of books in the United States and sends them to Africa, largely to school libraries, to improve literacy rates, increase library holdings, and build library shelves. Other organizations that donate books are also listed. (LRW)

Addresses the process of journal deselection from the point of view of justice and argues that when journal cuts are necessary, libraries should first, reduce all departments to core holdings; second, ask departments with expensive journals for permission to implement an efficiency principle; third, if refused permission, implement an equal…

Describes the history and problems of mobile library programs in Africa based on a review of pertinent literature. Highlights include characteristics of African nations with mobile libraries; lack of funding and suitable materials; two examples of successful programs; and future possibilities, including the need for cooperation. (Author/LRW)

The readability level of material recommended for consumer health collections in public libraries is analyzed. All medical and lay items examined were found to exceed the standard reading skills of the general public. Discussion includes the relevance and appropriateness of sources, information needs and information-seeking behaviors, and a review…

Describes sources for cataloging and authority work in Catholic literature, for both English and foreign language publications. Provides sources for names of persons, corporate institutions, divisions within the church, and religious orders and congregations. Also notes sources for biographies, Mariology, and uniform title work. (AEF)

Censorship attacks on books are growing more common in school classrooms and media centers, as well as in the nation's public libraries. School board members can take steps to keep intellectual freedom alive. (MLF)

Examines ways of evaluating school library media collections: size; checking the collection against recognized standard bibliographies; and calculating average collection age. Suggests frequency of curriculum revisions, average age of materials in standard bibliographies, and weeding guidelines as possible measures for comparison to collection…

Reports on a meeting with a group of experts including Leylha Ahuile, Rene Alegria, Rueben Martinez, Diana Martinez Calice, Silvia Matute, Anne Messitte, and Teresa Mlawer from the Spanish language market for books. Topics include publishing; school and library markets; bookstores; the role of the Latino press and Latino authors; coverage in…

Shows how a well-respected collection development tool contains ideological frames, using the "Public Library Catalog" (PLC) as an example. Evaluation by library science graduate students indicate that the PLC makes recommendations that have an imbalance of perspectives, overemphasize a particular facet or theory within a field, lack authority,…

Discusses the use of academic library circulation statistics to assess whether user needs are being met and describes a study at Stetson University that investigated collection development practices by comparing circulation statistics for books selected by faculty in support of departmental curricula with those of librarian selections. (Author/LRW)