Public library services are threatened by a national mood of economic conservatism. Librarians should actively combat the threat by defending services, making collective decisions, resisting inflation, seeking federal support, responding to charges from politicians, and increasing efficiency. (FM)

Describes social, cultural, informational, and educational programs and services that are offered by some libraries in Louisiana to their adult patrons. (JD)

Addresses the questions of why librarians engaged in serving children are on the defensive about the way in which they evaluate their services, and what can be done to bring children's services back into the mainstream of library thinking. (FM)

Recommends that public libraries be aware of the need to develop basic preservation policies in order to safeguard local treasures and to extend the life of the collection as a whole. The importance of cooperation is asserted in the light of limited budgets. A selected bibliography is included. (FM)

Discusses the value of public libraries and what it means to be valuable. Topics include shrinking library budgets; why there is public money for libraries; how to tell whether a service, product, or institution creates public value; political and legal support; administrative and operational feasibility; and enhancing public value. (LRW)

Reports on a survey of the book collection at the Wellsley Free Library (MA) to ascertain the age and physical condition of the collection and causes of damage. Cost implications and proposed solutions are discussed, and the significance of the findings for public libraries is considered. (five references) (MES)

Described a project that moved a retired Carnegie library four blocks and back into service as an annex to the Mexico-Audrain Library System (Missouri). Insights are provided into the practicality of recycling buildings as public library facilities and the effects that such efforts can have on community pride and involvement. (SLW)

Discusses public library districts that provide funding directly to libraries rather than through local government or property taxes. Other types of library organization are described, including municipal and county libraries; a model library district law is suggested; and an example of a public library district in Kalamazoo (Michigan) is…

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…

Discusses partnerships that were developed with the Free Library of Philadelphia during their renovations, including perspectives from a project manager, an architect/designer, and a technology consultant. Offers tips on selecting and working with professional consultants. (LRW)

This article discusses the library referenda in 2004. Some of the trends that emerged included: dueling libraries in Rhode Island, big wins for big cities, erosion of voter support for libraries in the Illinois heartland matched with the emergence of library support in the Southwest and the re-upping of big California taxes.

Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835 in Dunfermeline, Scotland. Forty-six years later and on his way to becoming $400 million richer, he returned to the home of his birth and provided it with a new kind of library. Unlike the popular subscription libraries of the time that required patrons to rent books, this new library would lend them for free. It…

The ways to proceed with the summer reading list, which will be able to locate some of the books at the public library during the summer months, are presented. The task of creating a reading list is considered to be difficult as there are thousands of books on the market based on reading for pleasure.