A survey of academic libraries and librarians with active text digitalization projects produced a framework of issues faced by librarians implementing electronic text projects. Discusses and ranks factors in text selection; data conversion; data presentation, including mark-up schemes and level of encoding; access; archiving; user and staff…

Discusses the process of weeding, updating, and building a school library media collection that supports the state curriculum. Explains resource alignment, a process for using the shelf list as a tool to analyze and align media center resources to state curricula, and describes a five-year plan and its usefulness for additional funding. (LRW)

Examines efforts to solve spatial problems at the University of Missouri/Columbia Ellis Library. Discusses lack of funding for library expansion and the decision to have an off-campus storage facility, new space demands brought on by technology, and the innovative storage solution at the University of Southern California's Leavey Library. (AEF)

Examples of sets of questions on library readings designed to lead students into articles and emphasize important information and associated literature are presented for introductory geology courses, historical geology, structural geology, mineralogy, and petrology. (Author/CW)

Describes events in Fairbanks (Alaska) resulting from an attempt by some community members to remove a book about homosexuality from the high school library. The discussion covers community reactions, media coverage, and a school board campaign that focused on this issue. Tabbert's speech the night of the vote is presented in the second article.…

Demonstrates through five examples that censorship is an act of both negation and affirmation because at the same time that censors are removing information, values, and language from children's consideration, they are confirming knowledge they think is valid, valuable, and virtuous for school curricula and library shelves. (RAE)

Explores the legal ramifications of malpractice among librarians and the possible impact on services due to fear of being sued. Topics include identification of potential malpractice areas; cooperative electronic reference services; use of reference standards; insurance; contract; disclaimer; updating library collections; using Internet resources;…

Describes two reference books suitable for middle/junior high school library media centers that present information about African-American women and suggests activities for Afro-American History Month. Library media skills objectives, social studies and art objectives, grade levels, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures,…

Provides the following seven guidelines to help librarians better serve mentally disabled students: (1) consult with teachers; (2) select appropriate materials; (3) identify essential library skills; (4) create illustrated signs; (5) be creative about funding; (6) take regular field trips; and (7) don't limit the materials. A list of resources and…

Discussion of developing racially diverse collections in academic libraries focuses on an Afrocentric approach. Topics addressed include valuing diversity; Afrocentricity as a framework for diversity; barriers to building Afrocentric collections; and resources for building Afrocentric collections, including black-owned publishers, African American…

Describes the development, production, and distribution of a college library handbook designed to replace a portion of regular library instruction. Topics addressed include defining the audience; content, including library organization, selecting library materials, and search strategies; format; costs; revisions; evaluation; and recommendations.…

Information Technology education in Namibia faces problems such as inability of students and teachers to speak English and the absence of technology, books, and classrooms. Measures are being taken to upgrade schools and learning through the development of Information Science syllabi, modular book collections, and education for school…

Discusses information development in Portugal since the early 1980s. Topics include public libraries; the national bibliographic database; training; software; access to online databases; CD-ROMs; and Portuguese participation in information projects of the European Community. (AEF)

User-centered design of catalog records requires the study of user behaviors and cognition related to interaction with the catalog. During 3 phases of a pilot study, 103 catalog users described 386 searches; searchers generally knew the title, publication date, page numbers, and/or the author. (Author/AEF)

Discusses the rise in circulation in the Douglas Public Library District (Colorado) due to expanding educational options. Highlights include the Charter Schools Act, library skills instruction, home-schoolers' use of the library, materials availability, year-round reading programs, Internet benefits, and staffing increases and changes. (AEF)