As congressional library supporters retire, establishing new commitments for library services and funding is a priority for advocates. Highlights retiring library champions in Congress, their contributions, and current congressional librarian, Representative Major Owens. Suggests ways to secure more support--educating legislators about libraries,…

Presents two reports, one from the National Endowment for the Humanities that discusses public-private partnerships, federal-state partnerships, and preservation and access projects, and includes a directory of state humanities councils; and one from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Programs that describes state programs,…

Explains the concept of an information commons in academic libraries which provides a public computing center with both library and computing support, focusing on staffing, and describes the transition at the University of Southern California library from separate reference and software consulting desks to a fully integrated model of services.…

These introductory remarks by Robert S. Martin, the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), briefly summarize the role of IMLS and the purpose of the White House Conference on School Libraries. (MES)

Explains why libraries need to move beyond the limitations of their old technology when they move to new computer systems with wider boundaries. Describes how to change the work flow by focusing on time factors, including implementation; coordination for staff and departments; patience; reports; and improving public services. (LRW)

Discussion of the Library Bill of Rights focuses on paternalism and the dangers of Internet filtering, in response to a previous article that advocated revision of the Bill of Rights. Topics include ethical presuppositions; censorship; philosophical foundations; access; social contract theory; and utilitarianism. (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…

Reviews the status of photostats and microfilm at the New York Public Library, including evaluations of the demand for each and the relationship between the two forms during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Reasons why the two forms continue to coexist--even though it was predicted that microfilm would replace photostats--are discussed. (24…

Chronicles the history of the Dallas Public library and the life of Siddie Joe Johnson, a children's librarian at the library from 1938 to 1965. Topics addressed include library collections and facilities; Johnson's innovative programing for children, including creative writing groups and book parades; and her publications. (eight references) (MES)

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…

Discusses pricing problems of public library service. The meaning of price in a library context is examined, including amount charged and patron's cost; components of price setting are described, including the impact of demand, cost, and competition; and library pricing strategies are suggested that should help achieve the library's goals. (13…

Addresses key issues that must be considered as a library begins to create a Friends group, from the group's basic purpose to infrastructure issues such as staffing, programs, and other operating costs. Concludes that functions other than fund-raising should be included. (Author/LRW)

The University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries used participatory management to reduce a special collections backlog. Without an increase in budget or staffing, technical and public services departments designed a pilot project to redeploy internal human resources in a collaborative manner. The process of backlog management is discussed.

Often, because of political reasons, a library's site must be designed within the frame of another organization's. In this article, the author, the e-services librarian for the Marin County Free Library in San Rafael, California, details her experience of designing a library website within the frame--and within the rules and limitations--of the…

Exploiting and contextualizing free information is a natural part of library culture. In this column, Gary Roberts, the information systems and reference librarian at Herrick Library, Alfred University in Alfred, NY, describes how to use XML content on a Web site to link to hundreds of free and useful resources. He gives a general overview of the…