Three articles address the relationship between a library and the vendor of its automated system from several points of view: library-initiated vendor abandonment, vendor-initiated abandonment, nonperforming vendor and nonfunctioning system, and changing systems. Acceptance testing and financial, personnel, and legal aspects of vendor abandonment…

Report on "ALA Survey of Librarian Salaries, 1984" notes the sample of 920 academic and public libraries, five library types surveyed, changes made in the survey since the first was published in 1982, and results. A table charting comparison of average top-of-the-range salaries for librarians (1982 and 1984) is included. (EJS)

Reports on third annual mini-survey on religious books in 30 public libraries across nation covering seven areas: regularity of purchase of religious materials; percentage of book budget used; percentage of circulation; collection policies; gifts; patron demand; attempt to "balance" book collection on certain issues; pressure from…

Discussion of rural libraries and librarianship provides a definition of rural areas and notes work of the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship (based at School of Library Science, Clarion State University), library personnel, professional continuing education for library staff, and renewed and continuing interest in rural library services.…

An Apple microcomputer at a Chicago library is used by people in all areas of Chicago as a community bulletin board. The development and implementation of this telecommunications system is described. A list of guidelines governing the role of a microcomputer in a public library is also provided. (JN)

This description of the rehabilitation of the New York Public Library (NYPL) facility highlights an 18-week citywide program on contemporary censorship, including the main exhibit in NYPL's Gottesman Exhibition Hall; financial support and the library budget; and the leadership of Vartan Gregorian, president of NYPL since 1981. (EJS)

Discusses development of a software collection at New York Public Library for use with public access computing services. Highlights include computer literacy, languages, and software pertaining to programing, simulations, business, tutorial, graphics, and music. A core list of recommended software titles geared for use on the Apple II…

This essay considers problems with perceptions of the value of academic and public library information and thus with its marketing and pricing. Public perceptions of information, awareness of information services, value and cost of information, pricing details, and cooperation between libraries and providers of services are discussed. Seven…

The challenge to children's librarians of recognizing, analyzing, and selecting picture books for the not-so-young is discussed. Characteristics of sophisticated picture books, views of Elaine Moss (well-known British librarian), and efforts of children's librarians at Ottawa Public Library to establish picture books collection are highlighted.…

Discusses the 10 questions most frequently asked concerning the installation of public library online services. Equipment considerations (choice of equipment, maintenance arrangements, baud rate), choice of databases and vendors, budgets, fees, training, elimination of printed tools, and promotion of the service are covered. (EJS)

In order for a library to serve a special group, simply adding a couple of books and videos is not good enough. There needs to be comprehensive research done about the group so the library's collection and services are at the best quality. The Filipino community is the second largest Asian group in the San Francisco Bay Area; yet nothing has been…

Eleven issues of "Fast Facts" from the Library Research Service cover information from libraries across Colorado. These issues focus on topics from the public, academic, and school sectors. These topics include patron use of AskColorado (a statewide virtual reference service) and the rising use of online services. The "Fast…

This paper presents a public library perspective on lifelong learning. The first section discusses the lifelong learning challenge, including the aims of the Australian National Marketing Strategy for Skills and Lifelong Learning, and findings of a national survey related to the value of and barriers to learning. The second section addresses the…

This document reports results of a study of Utah's public libraries that included four specific tasks: (1) analysis of demographic data, library use patterns, and projected demand for the next 10 years; (2) a statewide public opinion survey to determine the level of knowledge of and support for Utah's libraries; (3) facilities review, assessment…

The Mississippi Library Commission, which acquires and publishes usage data from each of the 46 public library systems and two independent public libraries in the state, reports the data presented in this publication to the Federal State Cooperative System (FSCS) for Public Library Data. First, a 2-year summary (1997-1998) for public library…