This document discusses the reasons for providing public library service to local jails from the viewpoint of the inmate, the library, and the jail administrator; and provides guidelines for establishing and operating this service. Topics covered include: obtaining approval from library and jail administrators for a library jail program; material…

This book is a guide for librarians and media specialists who recognize the value of bilingual-bicultural education and are looking for ideas to develop library services for their Spanish-speaking patrons. Chapter one gives a brief history of Spanish-speaking people in the United States, as well as cultural characteristics, family role,…

Discusses results of a Web-based survey that was conducted to determine the extent to which Canadian public libraries are collecting multilingual materials, methods used to select materials, and whether public librarians are prepared to provide multilingual clientele with adequate materials and services. Examines constraints preventing public…

Provides annotated bibliographies of five sources about women and their contributions to civilization that are suitable for upper elementary and middle schools and add depth to coverage provided in traditional reference sources. (LRW)

Presents guidelines for identifying, evaluating, and selecting Internet resources based on a conceptual model and organizational framework of a collection development policy formulated at Cornell University's library. Topics include collection development in an electronic library and a taxonomy of Internet resources. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes research from Ph.D. dissertations that indicates that schools with a written policy on the selection and reconsideration of library materials are more successful in retaining questioned materials. Highlights include legal aspects of censorship; censorship attempts by community members, teachers, and librarians; and prospects for future…

Reviews selection guidelines suggested by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) for parish and school libraries. Highlights include who develops the selection policy; American Library Association selection guidelines for school libraries; criteria for both print and nonprint materials; how to handle censorship challenges; and issues concerning…

Describes results of a survey of members of the Association of Research Libraries that was conducted to determine what procedures are followed to obtain current reference books in foreign languages and to assess the libraries' satisfaction with those procedures. Standing order plans are discussed, and proposals to improve reviewing sources are…

Focuses on evaluating the school library media collection. Discusses how to figure the age of the collection; comparing the collection to a professional selection source; and how to estimate the cost of upgrading the collection. Includes a sample letter to principal and supporting fact sheet. (AEF)

This document presents data that describe collections, expenditures, personnel, and services in 65 medical libraries at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions throughout North America. In 2006-2007, the reporting health sciences libraries held a median of 244,188 volumes, spent a total of $244,188,020, and employed 2,395 FTE…

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…

This paper is a review of literature that explores how community college and junior college students use libraries and seek information. A key issue that is discussed among scholars, researchers, and librarians in general is the implosion of the Internet and how libraries have shifted focus from using print resources to online databases and…

Lists 100 "best" books in science and technology for public libraries. (PF)

A discussion of how to circulate, how to house, and how to integrate media materials into library collections. (HB)