Reviews history of public library standards development and needs. Publications dealing with accreditation, measurement of effective library service, alternatives to standards, state and national standards, and a planning process manual are discussed. Twenty-four references are provided. (EJS)

Narration of author's visit to the libraries of Florence, Italy, focuses on city, provincial, and national libraries, including the Laurentian Library, Biblioteca Communale Centrale (city), Biblioteca Marucelliana (regional), and Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale (national). Conversations with the directors of each library are highlighted. (EJS)

This overview of Parisian libraries includes descriptions of the Bibliotheque National, Bibliotheque Mazarine, Library of the Sorbonne, Bibliotheque Sainte Genevieve, Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal, Bibliotheque Historique de la Ville de Paris, Bibliotheque Forney, Library of the Opera, Bibliotheque Publique d'Information, and the forthcoming…

Describes collaboration between the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) and the Jamaica Library Service in providing nonformal continuing education for newly literate individuals. The JAMAL Foundation, the Jamaica Library Service, links between JAMAL and the library service, and stimulation of writing for new literates are…

Discusses the history and functions of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute and outlines prospects for the Institute's library with respect to services, programs, and financial support under the direction of Leonard Freiser, the recently-appointed head librarian. The Institute's museum and library collections, especially those concerned with science,…

Examines history of online information retrieval services in North American in general and in Canada specifically. The current situation is assessed on the basis of results of a recent national survey and the issue of charging for these services is discussed. Twelve references are cited. (EJS)

This description of experiments with the use of videotex systems in British public libraries includes activities and undertakings sponsored by the British Library Research and Development Department, commercial and public videotex services in the U.K., and videotex projects initiated by library associations such as ASLIB. (JL)

Describes a September 1980 study of 310 public library children's specialists from 310 library buildings in 74 California library systems. The survey's findings indicate that continuing education in nonprint media and services is in order for many children's services specialists. (LLS)

Several new ideas regarding public library services for helping immigrants adjust to life in Sweden are discussed with respect to standards, selection, and acquisition of materials, children's services, and future plans. A bibliography of 19 references is included. (CHC)

Surveys the history of the library board as a means of governance for public libraries, reviews research on the administrative effectiveness of library boards, identifies some of the major problems with the library board system, and proposes some possible solutions to these problems. A 26-item bibliography is attached. (JL)

Presents the rationale, method, results, analysis, and discussion of a survey of public libraries in the United States and Canada which asked for sex of director, director's salary, director's length of tenure, size of population served, per capita support, and beginning professional salary. This study extends work by Carpenter and Shearer (1972).…

Discusses the right of authors to remuneration for library lending in terms of which authors, publications, libraries, and users are eligible. Problems with measurement and recording, sources of funds, and other practical and economic considerations are also examined. Eight references are listed. (CHC)

Proposes that libraries employ modern booksellers' merchandising techniques to improve circulation of library materials. Using displays in various ways, the methods and reasons for weeding out books, replacing worn book jackets, and selecting new books are discussed. Suggestions for learning how to market and 11 references are provided. (RBF)

Discusses the planning and success of a five-day program designed to capture the interests of third, fourth, and fifth graders through reading and activities on magic. Nine fiction and 13 nonfiction sources on magic are given. (RBF)

Describes the program packages project of the Baltimore County Public Library that was developed to meet the informational and entertainment needs of organized groups of older adults. Topics of completed packages are listed, and the instructions, discussion questions, activity suggestions, and resources of its package on aging are included. (JD)