The unwritten policy of the Huntsville-Madison County (Alabama) Public Library for dealing with unattended children includes librarian involvement with the children, increased public awareness of the problem, and a priority on children's services. It is noted, however, that the library cannot serve as a day care operation. (MES)

The Deputy Librarian of Congress responds to a Library Journal editorial on the Library of Congress' role in the development of the diethyl zinc process in preservation technology. Safety issues, DEZ as prototype, progress and success claims, deciding which books to save, and why DEZ should be used are explained. (EM)

The intention of this article is to serve as a guide to the literature treating the historical development of the American public library. (A fuller version of this article is ERIC document ED 071 668.) (22 references) (Author/SJ)

If there is to be a great debate" within librarianship, statement or restatement of objectives should be the starting point, not the possibilities of applying computers to libraries and information. If professional persons are to have influence over the future of society, a great debate must soon begin. (2 references) (Author/NH)

The paper describes the attempts made in recent years to determine the essential functions of a national library. It considers these functions in relation to the recommendations of the Dainton Committee and the proposals in the White Paper on the British Library. (14 references) (Author/MM)

Some basic information on stimulating the arts in the community, and how to go about it, is presented. (Author)

Suggests materials and services Australian libraries should provide for the assistance of immigrants with limited English skills. (HTH)

Describes a special reference service that supports administrative, planning, management, and technical levels of an organization operating within the research and development and major systems acquisition environment. More than 15 references are cited. (Author/FM)

Discusses 10 ways state libraries can help combat illiteracy: as planner, initiator/catalyst, trainer, coordinator, resource back-up, demonstrator, disseminator/publicizer, funder, supporter of good public education, and consultant. (Author/LLS)

Addresses challenges posed to libraries by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), specifically related to the doctrine of first sale. Discusses the role of libraries as copyright consumers; recommendations of the Copyright Office; user rights; the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act; and license agreements. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of the prison library and the appropriateness of applying the public library model in prisons. Problems with staffing in prison libraries and deficiencies caused by a lack of statewide coordination are cited. Financial support, security, literacy programs, innovative services, and social responsibility are also considered. (25…

Discusses the importance of public library access to electronic networks such as the Internet and the National Education and Research Network (NREN). Topics addressed include the information role of the public library, public library contributions to networked information, connecting to the NREN, training, costs, and integrating public libraries…

For a librarian of St. John's School, Texas literacy is a passion and she believes that what all read matter because their lives are changed through the experience of reading good literature. She feels that most important responsibility of librarians is that of creating lifelong readers and learners.

This article discusses the events that occurred when Donald J. Olson was arrested for arrested for insider trading and SEC violations. Olson had been arrested for embezzling money from his own company, cooking the books to hide the missing funds, providing insider financial information to friends to boost stock prices, and numerous other offenses.…

Despite the media's fascination with the "literacy crisis," there is rarely any mention of the real cause of the problem: Lack of access to books for children of poverty. In this article, the author presents a compelling demonstration of what happens when librarians make sure children have access to interesting reading material: They read! And…