To protect children from material it considers harmful, Family Friendly Libraries (FFL) seeks to limit access to information in public libraries. This article describes the conflict between the FFL and the American Library Association (ALA). Provides an overview of censorship and U.S. legislative history, presents the FFL position and the ALA…

With its 50th anniversary series, the Great Books Foundation renews its partnership with public libraries to reach a new generation of readers through shared inquiry. Describes the beginnings of the Great Books movement, its influence on race and politics, the role of libraries, and the 50th Anniversary Series, which is, in part, a response to the…

Describes geographic information systems and the assembly of data for analysis for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library (Indiana). Presents examples of possible analyses: distribution of library patrons; distances patrons travel to use libraries; branch library services and characteristics of populations served; numbers of patrons served…

Discussion of personalized information environments (PIEs) focuses on library personalized interfaces. Describes academic library PIEs and commercial sites, such as Amazon.com that use personalization; explores the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg's personalized interface; and discusses opportunities and challenges PIEs offer public…

Describes the policies and procedures developed at the Vineland Public Library (New Jersey) for a program to lend laptop computers. Discusses laptops for in-library use and for home use; obstacles, including staffing ramifications and maintenance demands; checking for inappropriate Web sites left on the hard drive; and benefits for the users. (LRW)

Describes a books by mail program developed by the San Francisco (California) Public Library to extend free mail service to homebound patrons, including both older users and users with disabilities. Discusses previous library service; planning, including working with the Postal Service; and costs. (LRW)

Discusses the importance of information literacy for lifelong learning and the need for cooperation between public libraries and school libraries and teacher librarians. Reports results of a survey of Australian school and public libraries that investigated interaction and cooperation. (Contains 46 references.) (LRW)

Presents a history of library cooperation and technological advancement in North Carolina libraries from the Depression years to the early 1990s. Discusses early library cooperation and development of the North Carolina Information Network (NCIN). Describes the seven task forces on: Bibliographic Database, Document Delivery, Funding, Public…

Discusses the Hawaii State Public Library system decision to outsource library book selection to a vendor. Highlights include problems with the current contract, including lack of input from local librarians; and possible benefits of outsourcing, including the chance of having an outsourced baseline collection with discretionary funds for local…

Public libraries should be the place people go to seek community information, but inconsistent format and quality of delivery has created a void other providers of online information are filling. Examines online community information and discusses the results of an informal survey of 103 public libraries and their community information resources.…

Facing a major budget crunch, the Hawaii State Public Library System awarded a five and one half-year, $11.2 million contract to a vendor (Baker & Taylor) for collection development. Hawaii librarians argue that outsourcing sacrifices local expertise and a central part of their professional identity. Discusses the controversy from opposing…

Reports the results of a survey conducted shortly after the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, through its U.S. Library Program, awarded a statewide grant of computers and software to public libraries in Louisiana, to gather data about the grant's impact on library staff. A copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)

Institutional, environmental, personal, and social barriers to public library use can be tackled with a community needs approach. Library programs focused on information and knowledge, empowerment, and capacity building can promote social change. (SK)

Examines the demographic profile of reading room users in urban public libraries in Israel as well as their patterns of use. Reports results that include user occupations; age; educational level; use of additional library services; purposes of spending time in the reading room; and how books used were located. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes information about public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year 2000. Also contains information about service measures, including Internet access, and collections and library finance. (SLD)