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…

The Indiana Free Library Literacy Program had two major goals during Fiscal Year 1989: to maintain and expand the present services and to extend the existing literacy program. Tutors were recruited through public service announcements and extensive free coverage in the Indiana Gazette. Four tutor training workshops were held to train 40 new…

The Internet is becoming an increasingly important medium of electronic information dissemination, and thus an increasingly important library reference tool. This study examines the Internet skills of a sample group of 15 public reference librarians in the Adult Services Department at the Cleveland Heights Public Library. The Internet skills that…

This digest focuses on a variety of issues confronting copyright law in the digital age. The current copyright law was adopted in 1976, and could not possibly have foreseen so many new technologies. However, it did attempt to cover all bases by using language which was intended to be somewhat elastic. A current report by the U.S. Department of…

This annotated bibliography presents the holdings (as of November 1992) of the Test Center lending library of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Many of the 76 entries are informal assessments and are intended mainly for the classroom. The journal articles, books, and chapters of books in the annotated bibliography were published…

Academic libraries can help solve the problem of escalating costs by seeking grants and gifts to supplement funds from their parent institution. Issues to be considered in looking for funding sources include: (1) institutional support, including funds from the college or university budget, communication with administration, and assistance from…

This guide contains lists of microfilm sources for genealogical information that are in the holdings of the State Library of Louisiana. The following types of sources are listed: census and enumeration records, passenger lists, military and pension records, church records, state records, family records, land records, historical data from parishes,…

This paper discusses why school librarians are well qualified to write for students and describes the following aspects of becoming a successful writer: (1) manuscript development, including choosing the type of material to write, gathering materials, deciding on the level of intended readers, and getting a manuscript illustrated; (2) publishing…

This publication reviews the books from the major national children's book awards and lists. The following awards are covered: John Newberry Awards, Randolph Caldecott Awards, Coretta Scott King Awards, Mildred L. Batchelder Awards, Pura Belpre, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. The lists are…