Since the Literacy in Libraries Across America (LILAA) initiative began in 1996, participation in the program's services had fallen short of the amount that research indicates is needed to improve literacy levels substantially. Efforts to improve student persistence and implement service enhancements were therefore initiated in 2000. A study of…

Describes steps in renovating information service tools: (1) review why organization exists; (2) refocus direction to keep in step with clients and environment; and (3) redefine client's needs. Old tools (books and journals) can be transformed via technology into new tools (full-text CD-ROM products and online interlibrary loan services). (JMV)

Outlines issues of concern in the management of nonlibrarian professionals in research libraries, argued to be significantly different from the management of professional librarians. Differing professional value systems, conflicts and tension that can arise, and organizational teamwork are discussed with a focus on effective reward structures. (15…

Literacy, which has only positive connotations in most cultures, has long been associated in Native communities with colonial education, "the reculturing and reeducation of American Indians by the secular and religious institutions of colonizing nations." Early educators imposed literacy on Indian children attending government-organized boarding…

This article presents an interview with Ross Todd, director of research at Rutgers University's Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries. Todd talks about the impact of the Ohio study, based on student's evaluation of their media centers, and his quest to renew school libraries. He stresses that part of the renewal and continuous…

Australian library and information studies professional education experienced major changes over the past 15 years or so. There has been a growth in first professional level masters programs. Some schools have been involved in organisational relocation. Program structural changes have aimed to make programs more flexible and appealing to…

This finding aid lists recorded collections in the Archive of Folk Culture of the Library of Congress that document the traditional music and folklife of Puerto Rico and of Puerto Ricans in the United States. Brief descriptions of the recordings are accompanied by identification numbers. Information about listening to or ordering any of the listed…

This guide, quite specific to one institution, was developed as a companion document to the University of Alabama Libraries Tenure Document. It interprets and supplements the University of Alabama "Faculty Handbook" requirements for promotion. Some of the differences in performance and effectiveness between regular teaching faculty and…

The study of papyri has been significantly limited, and because of their fragile and fragmentary condition, papyri pose significant preservation and research challenges. This report explores the use of digitization to overcome these difficulties. The Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS) established a committee charged with studying…

This book provides descriptions of approximately 270 CD-ROM packages and series, and references to dozens of others, all which are especially suitable for libraries. Organized by subject, entries include the vendor price (when available), platform and hardware requirements, and availability of network versions. In addition, evaluative comments…

A variety of articles about family literacy efforts in Illinois is provided in this special report prepared by the Illinois State Library, intended for librarians, adult educators, teachers, and family literacy practitioners. Articles contained in the report are: "Family Literacy: A Definition" (Cyndy Colletti); "Why We Need Family…

The expanding use of the Internet as a mechanism for the dissemination of local government information presents challenges and opportunities to traditional library planning, processes and services. The purpose of this study is to survey local government sites (home pages) via the Internet with the following research objectives: (1) to identify…

Patron service is a high priority in the library setting and alleviating a large percentage of the directional questions will provide librarians with more time to help patrons more thoroughly than they are able to currently. Furthermore, in view of the current economic trend of downsizing, a navigational computer system program has the potential…

Many reference librarians still rely on manual searches to access vertical files, ready reference files, and other information stored in card files, drawers, and notebooks scattered around the reference department. Automated access to these materials via microcomputers using database management software may speed up the process. This study focuses…

This survey examined the certification laws or plans for certification of public library personnel in the United States. Descriptions of state certification laws or plans were derived from state library manuals, from previous surveys, and from a telephone survey of representatives of state library agencies. Sixteen states have mandatory…