Describes the experiences at the Williamsburg (Virginia) Regional Library when the children's department closed for two months for renovations and temporary quarters were created in a bookmobile in a nearby parking lot. Discusses technology challenges involved in hooking up computers, selecting an appropriate collection that would fit, and…

Discusses results of a survey of factors influencing database use in public libraries. Highlights the importance of content; ease of use; and importance of instruction. Tabulates importance indications for number and location of workstations, library hours, availability of remote login, usefulness and quality of content, lack of other databases,…

Public libraries emerged as educational institutions during the second half of the 19th century. Their aim was the intellectual and moral improvement of individuals and societies. After several decades it became evident that public libraries had failed as "people's universities." They came to acknowledge the provision of entertainment as…

Describes the racially segregated public library children's collections and services in Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. Discusses the relationship between African American librarians and users based on original library records, annual reports, and librarians' writings; describes and evaluates the collections developed for black…

Discussion of censorship against books in public and school libraries focuses on intellectual freedom; First Amendment rights; and curriculum development to include lessons on the First Amendment. Offers suggestions for activities focusing on censorship and banned books. (LRW)

Includes six articles that describe public library programs for teens. Highlights include interactive murder mysteries; a girl scout sleepover program on career awareness; sign language workshop; a Science Fair help day that included guest speakers; a unit on fairy tales and legends; and a project to enhance creativity and self-esteem. (LRW)

Includes eight articles that address issues related to library design and function in Australia. Highlights include renovations and redevelopments; public libraries' expansions for changing needs, including a youthspace; a joint-use university and public library; the new Australian War Memorial research center; and a new university library. (LRW)

Discusses database usage data from a sample of 98 public libraries and library systems in the United States and Canada that revealed patterns of use. Results of the questionnaire used, which is appended, showed the number of workstations was statistically correlated with amount of use. (Author/LRW)

This special section on EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) in libraries includes eight articles that discuss experiences in libraries in the United Kingdom, EDI and the acquisitions process in Europe, a Canadian viewpoint, the ILS (Integrated Library Systems) vendor and EDI, public libraries, and EDI in the information services industry. (LRW)

Describes the extent to which professional activity of library and information professionals is evident in the management of digital collections. Analyzes the digital collections of 11 randomly selected public libraries to determine patterns of professional practice, such as collection development or organization and representation of digital…

Describes characteristics of core competencies. Examines the competencies a librarian should possess. Discusses types of competence and reviews advantages of developing and improving core competencies. Looks at core competencies in terms of the major service areas of public libraries. Presents several steps for building core competencies.…

In 1998, the Houston Public Library launched a new library card campaign. Through extensive outreach, community partnerships, and the support of a major corporation, the program nearly doubled the number of children with cards in one fiscal year and increased juvenile circulation by more than 20%. The program led to an increase in library funding,…

Describes a study in which fourth-grade children documented their after-school activities with disposable cameras. Analyzes these photographs and develops six profiles of library users and non users among these students. Finds, rather than a direct causal relationship between library use and academic achievement, that the more salient indicator of…

A British government project funded open learning in public libraries. Early provision of open learning packs expanded into uses of information technology. The project demonstrated that supporting adult learning is a core service of the public library. (SK)

Describes results of an exploratory survey that examined public library electronic mail reference services and the patrons who used them. Discusses results of print questionnaires and Web-based questionnaires that investigated user satisfaction and classified email reference questions received by public libraries. Library questionnaire and web…