Describes the Booktech 2000 project that was developed at the Denver Public Library as a new work concept to improve acquisitions procedures and customer service. The short-term goal of expanding collections for new branch libraries is discussed, and new relationships with vendors are explained. (LRW)

Presents an overview of issues concerning civilian competitive intelligence (CI). Topics discussed include competitive advantage in academic and research environments; public domain information and libraries; covert and overt competitive intelligence; data diversity; use of the Internet; cooperative intelligence; and implications for library and…

Discusses the background and reasons for career plateauing in children's services librarianship in public libraries. The profession's philosophy, the skills children's librarians develop, reasons why children's librarians do not often become upper-level administrators, and ways to maintain creativity when jobs become plateaued are covered. (13…

Discussion of the NREN (National Research and Education Network) and issues of access focuses on the role of the public library. Highlights include current uses of the Internet; resource sharing; guidelines for public library service; availability of the Internet and NREN through public libraries; and a sidebar that lists sources of further…

Uses statistics from the Federal-State Cooperative System for Public Library Data to describe the distribution of librarians with master's degrees from graduate library education programs accredited by the American Library Association by size of population served and by state. Implications of these data are suggested, and discussion questions are…

Reviews phases of Kellogg Foundation support for library-based adult career counseling programs as background to this special issue. The programs are (1) System of Interactive Guidance and Information (SIGI) at the University of California-Irvine, 1975-80; (2) Project LEARN (Lifelong Educational Assessment and Referral Network), 1980-86; and (3)…

Defines censorship and differentiates censorship from selection. Reviews the history of censorship and recent research trends. Describes typical censorable content and the consequences of censorship for libraries, books, and authors. Suggests strategies educators can use in dealing with censorship. (BC)

Describes the Chicago Public Library model for regional libraries and discusses the planning and implementation of the regional concept by three public libraries. Topics discussed include advantages of the regional approach, criteria for location, levels of services offered, and guidelines for deciding whether the regional approach is appropriate…

Describes a plan developed by the Phoenix Public Library that involved all librarians working in branches in defining what constitutes excellence in professional performance in the areas of collection development, reference and reader's advisory services, and community interaction. Characteristics related to excellence are identified, and…

Describes a field study of four public libraries that examined the extent to which differences in local implementation of the Public Library Association's long-range planning process produced differences in planning outcomes. Reasons for deciding to plan, participant evaluation of the process, and specific outcomes are highlighted. (LRW)

Suggests theoretical benefits and limitations of hypertext when used by children and explores how hypertext may differ from the traditional print format in terms of the reading process. Highlights include hypertext books; interactive fiction; reading and writing theories and hypertext; and youth librarians and hypertext. (Contains 21 references.)…

Presents the annual review of library building projects that includes statistics for new buildings, additions, and renovations. Highlights include information for academic and public libraries, including costs, funding, and size; a six-year cost summary; and a listing of architects. (LRW)

Presents the annual budget report for public libraries for 1999, including budget projections; local taxes; rise of technology budgets; materials, salary, and operating budgets; per capita funding; fundraising; net costs; and the role of the Gates Library Foundation. (LRW)

Discusses strategies for success used by the seven libraries that have won the Library of the Year award sponsored by Library Journal and The Gale Group (formerly Gale Research Inc.). Highlights include self-promotion; recognition for innovative planning and programs; fundraising benefits of winning; public-relations benefits; community benefits;…

This group of articles focusing on poetry by and for teenagers includes a list of recommended volumes and anthologies, winners of the 1998 VOYA Teen Poetry Contest, and articles on a poetry coffeehouse, how libraries can be a niche for teens, launching a teen poetry program, and school-public library partnerships for poetry projects. (AEF)