Describes the Health Information Project, a plan created by the Maryland State Department of Education that allows residents to obtain health information from public libraries. Examples of patron situations involving health questions illustrate the plan's main elements: collection development, staff training, networking with community agencies,…

Access to power and recognition of the currents of political life represent the greatest challenge to positioning for the public library and its leader. Clear vision is vital for navigating a multitude of constituencies. The director's hierarchical position may or may not be of value in the quest to fulfill the library's goals. (Author/KRN)

Examines the gap between developing communication technologies available to the public and the public's ability to employ them. Highlights include the federal government's policy on universal Internet access; factors that negatively affect public library involvement in Internet access; and elements involved in clarifying the role of public…

Since 1991, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library has co-sponsored a successful book review series that takes place in downtown restaurants in the evenings to promote the library and revitalize downtown. Highlights include discussions of past book review sessions, program initiation, and advantages for involved parties. (Author/JMV)

Discusses the goals of public libraries in the 1990s: (1) to provide recreational reading materials, and (2) to provide information. Presents a model that divides library services into community resource centers, which focus on community education based on community needs, and local information centers where information can be accessed…

Examines data from the National Center for Educational Statistics to determine whether networking and resource-sharing activities of public libraries have increased libraries' use of Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Results suggest that libraries have significantly increased their borrowing through ILL in recent years. Two tables provide loan statistics.…

Examines the functions, roles, and responsibilities of the public library trustee in a rural setting. Topics include serving the information needs of the community, determining policy, encouraging partnerships with other libraries and community organizations, ensuring sufficient funding, public and community relations, and evaluation of the board…

Discusses the need for adequate staffing in rural public libraries to meet expanded information needs. Topics include libraries' changing roles in the community to meet future information needs, the difference between training and education, and the development of distance education programs by library schools for professional continuing…

Discusses kinds of problems public librarians encounter in the process of providing legal and health information. Data are compared from two surveys of reference librarians who provide legal and health information services in Ontario (Canada) public libraries, and implications for collection development are suggested. (17 references) (LRW)

Analyzes data on referenda to build or renovate public libraries that were held between July 1990 and June 1991. Seasonal considerations are discussed, library referenda by authorizing agency are examined, a five-year summary of referenda is provided, and two sidebars describe successful referenda campaigns in Spokane (Washington) and Denver…

Presents an overview of literacy awareness since the 1985 publication of Jonathan Kozol's "The Illiterate American." The need for a highly technological workforce is explored and suggestions are made for the role of libraries in literacy training. A list of sources for literacy materials is appended. (16 references) (EAM)

This audio market survey explored the increase in the purchasing of spoken word audio books by libraries and consumers. The report identifies the vendors and users of the audio books, and discusses the merits of abridged versus unabridged audio books. It is predicted that the market for audio books will continue to grow. (MAB)

Four articles address issues concerned with collective bargaining and negotiating in the public sector. Highlights include differences between public and private sector collective bargaining; the cost of health care and collective bargaining in public libraries; an agreement between Harvard University and their clerical workers' union; and…

Suggests that current trends in public library expenditures and buildings are not meeting user needs and criticizes the American Library Association's policy statement, "The Decade of the Librarian," for focusing on librarians rather than service. The future of libraries and the library profession, particularly the impact of electronic…

This study examined the relationship between community needs for information about wife assault and the information response offered through social service networks. Interviews were conducted with a random selection of 543 women and with 179 agencies and professionals identified by the women as likely sources of help. (17 references) (MES)