Discusses the use of volunteers in public libraries. Topics include types of volunteers; differences between volunteers and paid employees; a volunteer job description; problems with volunteers; managing volunteers; volunteer procedures; and examples of successful volunteer programs. (LRW)

Examines the role of libraries, particularly public libraries, in times of war. Discusses similarities between responses after World War Two and the September 11, 2001 attacks; government restrictions on information; American Library Association responses, including propaganda and libraries; and the library and the community. (LRW)

Considers possible options for public librarians dealing with problem patrons. Highlights include considering the safety of the patrons and staff; general considerations of library security, including security guards, legal responsibility for patrons and staff safety; and working through possible options ahead of time to be more prepared. (LRW)

Discussion of community support groups for public libraries focuses on how the Chicago Public Library developed programs with a Friends of the Library group. Describes fund-raising efforts; themes that guided the organization; developing library programs; the use of volunteers; restoring state funding after budget cuts; and building public…

Suggests that historians of British public libraries may be restricted in their ability to pose certain questions about their subject matter because of the structure of the institutions of library history. Discusses problem patrons; critiques of public libraries; and library access and social exclusion. (Contains 95 references.) (Author/LRW)

Discusses the need for academic and public libraries to confront the challenges and inevitability of change to retain their relevancy in the information age. Visioning, strategic planning, TQM (total quality management), and Preferred Futuring are considered. (Author/LRW)

Discusses measurement techniques for determining good reference service and describes results from a study of 12 public libraries in California that investigated reference service. Topics include inconsistent reference studies that showed reference service giving good results half of the time; and measuring unrelated outcomes of accuracy, utility,…

Discusses private fundraising initiatives for public libraries, often through special foundations with full-time fundraisers. Highlights include experiences at the Public Library of Des Moines Foundation; metropolitan, suburban, and small public library initiatives; fundraising on the Web; effects on public support; outreach programs; bequests;…

Provides a history of the establishment of the AFL-CIO/ALA (American Federation of Labor (AFL)-Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)/American Library Association (ALA)) Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups. Topics include public learning, labor, and libraries; services to labor; problems and issues, including conflicts between…

Provides baseline data concerning the public's use of public libraries and its use of the Internet in order to identify reasons for which each provider is used; to identify decision criteria that people use when choosing providers; and to assess how consumers evaluate the performance of libraries and of the Internet. (Author/LRW)

Reports results of a survey of state library agencies' research on public library operations and services. The appendix provides information on the contact person, the title of the study, and availability of materials for the 29 agencies responding to the survey. A copy of the questionnaire is included. (13 references) (MES)

Considers the need for family literacy programs and library involvement in such programs. National organizations and local library programs devoted to family literacy are described, and the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program, which provides funding for local library family literacy programs, is discussed. (MES)

A study of employee turnover in 31 public libraries in the American Midwest established baseline turnover rates and examined the relationship of gender to turnover behavior. Findings showed that: turnover rates are low compared to other occupations; and turnover rates of males and females are similar. (28 references) (Author/MES)

Discussion of issues in bookmobile services to migrant workers focuses on the experiences of the Fresno County Public Library. A profile of migrant workers is provided, and funding problems and options, the information provision aspect of library service, lending policies, and impediments to serving migrants are discussed. (three references) (MES)

Nine articles cover topics related to library financial resources: (1) escalating serials prices; (2) library budgeting; (3) entrepreneurship; (4) cutback management; (5) academic library budgets; (6) assessment of library effectiveness; (7) public library fund-raising; (8) capital investment; and (9) unit cost analysis at the Virginia Polytechnic…