These articles describe the Sister Libraries program, part of the White House Millennium project, sponsored by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the American Library Association to build relationships with libraries in other cultures. Discusses projects with public and school libraries and library development in…

Investigates the impact of statewide database licensing for ProQuest on the users of public, school, and community college libraries in Washington State. Results of transaction log data and a study of how communities used information indicated that the database is used mainly in education and stressed the importance of implementation and promotion…

Presents results of an exploratory study attempting to establish a methodology for the unobtrusive analysis of a digital reference enterprise. Logs of over 3,000 questions asked of the Internet Public Library in early 1999 were analyzed on the basis of questions asked, self-selected demographic information, how those questions were handled, and…

Describes the role and activities of Susan Kent, City Librarian of Los Angeles, who was named librarian of the year by Library Journal. Discusses political aspects; improving and expanding Los Angeles Public Library branches; public and private funding; the staff and union issues; national and international organizations; and career influences.…

Describes the development of Project LEAP (Library's Educational Alternative for Preschoolers), which in August 2001 began its 50th year providing the children and caregivers in Ohio's Cuyahoga County with books, music, and toys. Discusses the beginning; years two and three; the mailing list; the newsletter; exciting developments; and current…

Describes how a committee of children's librarians created a booklist that allowed young readers to talk to other readers through published book annotations. Discusses development, promotion, and judging of a contest that encouraged children to submit new ideas and resulted in a list of entries from children at 55 schools. Includes sample winning…

Discussion of the impact of Australia's geographic isolation focuses on four linked strategies being implemented to position New South Wales public libraries for success in the emerging information economy. Highlights include promoting Internet access; creating client-focused content and services; developing strategic partnerships; and renewing a…

Presents an overview of the need for a multicultural program in the Indian Prairie Public Library District (Illinois). Describes the grant-based collection development; cataloging; promotional materials; judging success of the program; and how improvements could have been made. (AEF)

Discusses results of a national survey that was designed to describe the current consumer market for public library services and Internet services. Investigated the reasons they used each service, the decision criteria used when choosing one provider over the other, and how they evaluated the performance of each. (LRW)

Discussion of library users who seek information for others focuses on a study of public library adult reference desks that identifies the relationships between agents and imposers that motivate reference desk use and describes agent users in terms of their self-reported education levels and frequency of library and reference desk use. (Author/LRW)

Considers the challenges facing public libraries in meeting the current needs of its users while still delivering traditional information and recreational services. Topics include keeping up with technological trends; recruitment, staffing, and continuing education; the role as community center; and creating effective marketing strategies. (LRW)

Explains the importance of grants to libraries and describes the evolution of a grant in Washington State that was written to develop and fund early childhood programs. Discusses the role of public and tribal libraries; training for library staff; steering committee; statewide partnerships; community partnerships; and planning workshops. (LRW)

Yearbook Australia 2003 reports that in August 2001 there were 9596 schools in Australia (2003:305). It can be claimed with confidence that each of these has a library and that a member or members of the school staff have specific responsibility for its operation. That this is so is primarily an achievement of the Library Association of Australia…

The American Library Association's (ALA) Annual Conference, June 24?30, in steamy Orlando, drew 19,575 people, including 5,739 exhibitors, the lowest total since Miami in 1994, not counting the SARS-shadowed conference in Toronto last year (see statistics, p. 15). Although this years conference was filled with exciting events, this abstract is…

What does it mean to be literate in the 21st century? Fifty years ago a high school graduate with some basic reading and writing ability could get a well-paying blue-collar job. Today a person at the same level might have trouble finding good work and may be considered illiterate in some circles. The past half-century has brought us not only…