Describes eight multilibrary automation and connectivity initiatives in Alabama that involve public libraries, regional library systems, county library systems, library networks, academic libraries, and public school libraries. Addresses and contact people are supplied for each organization. (LRW)

Examines whether library reference staff are cognizant of newspapers as a potential source of reference information, and explores what happens when library staff members make referrals--often a sign that they do not know the answer to the question themselves. Discusses results of a recent study of public libraries in Canada which revealed that…

Plots trends in the growth of Internet use. Discusses pornography on the Web, using filters, and the ALA response. Reports results of a survey of Internet availability within Pennsylvania public libraries. Findings indicate more than 90% of respondents offer access to the Internet, nearly 80% do not use filters, and 50% attempt to control access…

Describes the mobile library service in Memphis/ Shelby County (Tennessee) that was designed to meet the needs of non-English speaking residents. Discusses identifying target populations; funding; technology to provide access to the Internet; English as Second Language and multicultural Web sites; and cellular digital packet data (CDPD) and…

Discusses the need to think of public libraries as businesses rather than as functions of society. Topics include keeping old customers and attracting new ones; taxes; competition from the private sector; the use of technology; training people to use technology; mission statements; library services; and marketing. (LRW)

By identifying effective young adult strategies, programs, and services, this research study adds to the knowledge of the role of libraries and librarians as community partners in providing for the needs of young adults. Two tables provide a comparison of strategies and a program and services comparison. (Contains 24 references.) (AEF)

The most surprising response from the "Library Journal" 2002 survey of 150 public libraries is that circulation is up after declines for the past couple of years. Budgets are holding their own, with a slight increase overall of 3%. Aggressive merchandising, promotion, and better circulation systems point to success. (AEF)

Discussion of rural library technology concerns focuses on the Kalona (Iowa) public library and its attempts to acquire up-to-date technology. Topics include costs, politics, Internet service providers, personnel concerns, funding, and national and state-based opportunities. (LRW)

Discusses acoustical demands in public libraries to consider during the design and construction process of new or renovated library space. Topics include intrusive noises; overly reverberant spaces; lack of speech privacy; sound transmission class; noise criteria; reverberation time and noise reduction coefficient; space planning; sound systems;…

Summarizes the Richmond Public Library's (RPL's) experiences in development and provision of technology-based services. Describes RPL's approaches to technology-based services, including training, communicating benefits to the community, creating a community-based Web site and marketing. Explains benefits of Internet-based services to patrons,…

Examines public library and school library cooperation based on a history of public libraries. Highlights include the development of school libraries and standards; cooperation versus combination; shared library collections; relationships with college libraries; funding; and shared resources at the state level. (LRW)

Includes three articles that discuss ways to encourage teenage writers. Highlights include guidelines for starting teen writing groups in school libraries; starting a teen print publication in a public library; and an interview with a young adult author, Chris Crutcher, who discusses how to write for teens. (LRW)

Living in the vast shadow cast by the spires of the Magic Kingdom presents special challenges for Orlando's Orange County Library System (OCLS), the most formidable of which is increasing its relatively small user base. The library additionally faces tension between the administration and staff, political strife on the board, and looming contract…

In this article, the author stresses the importance of welcoming preschoolers and babies into school libraries. She states that when read to from birth, a baby becomes used to the cadences and rhythms of spoken language, at the same time responding to the bright pictures and the presence of a loving adult. The baby associates books and stories…

The dilemma is one that most public librarians know well. The interlibrary loan (ILL) service over the past seven years had increased by almost 72 percent--with no end to the upward spiral in sight. Borrowing had increased 23 percent, but lending to other libraries had seen the largest growth: 106 percent. ILL staffing hadn't increased and…