Presents the research finding that collection development based on sound principles can ensure both better quality materials and increased use by teachers and students. Findings suggesting that collection development should be a cooperative enterprise framed by board- and school-approved guidelines are listed. (seven references) (EA)

Presents an analysis of questionnaire-generated data on the administration of international governmental organization (IGO) depository library collections. Topics discussed include restrictions to public access, separate or integrated collections, classification practices, and usage by categories of users. A directory of IGO depository collections…

Discusses the Interlibrary Delivery Service of Pennsylvania (IDS), which was established in 1969 to facilitate transmittal of interlibrary loan shipments and other educational items among its members (currently 193 academic, public, and school libraries). Topics addressed include interlibrary cooperation in Pennsylvania, statewide expansion of…

Offers definitions, statistics, and suggestions for public librarians working with homeschoolers. Library concerns are addressed, including censorship, negative staff attitudes, technology demands, and administrative limits; and ways to make homeschoolers more welcome are suggested, including compiling homeschooling resource materials, library…

Reports on programs for children and young adults in public libraries in Canada and the United States and discusses implications for Australian libraries. Highlights include budgets; volunteers; government funding; and summer reading programs, including registration, measurements of reading, and programming. (LRW)

Discusses youth participation (YP) and adult mentorship in public libraries and Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), highlighting teen writing opportunities in VOYA: book reviews; annual poetry contest; an occasional column relating teen culture to books, information, entertainment, media, and identity; and occasional lists of favorite teen music,…

Examines the impact of Libraries Online!, a Microsoft grant to provide technology to low-income populations, at High Point Library (Seattle, Washington). Discusses race relations among users, children helping children, computer lab programs for children, developing an Internet Use Policy, homework and reference services, and staff training and…

Describes a study of second- and third-grade Hispanic students in an inner-city school, in which increasing children's access to books (through monthly visits to a public library) significantly increased children's interest in books and their reading at home. Concludes that simply providing interesting books for children is a powerful incentive…

Looks at what makes bookstores so successful today. Examines why exterior and interior spaces are important to libraries; how spaces support the library's mission, goals, and objectives; what libraries can learn from the retail market regarding bookstore merchandising and design; and how this information can benefit libraries. (Author/AEF)

Highlights some important conditions, both present and future, which will have an impact on public libraries. Discusses holding down expenses, including user fees, alternative funding sources, and private cosponsorship of programs; increasing productivity; use of computers and new technologies; staff development and internal marketing; improving…

These articles address the core values of librarianship, focusing on democracy and public libraries; equity of access to information, including building collections, circulation policies, interlibrary loan, and intellectual property and licensing; intellectual freedom, including rating systems for various media; and library service in the light of…

Discussion of information literacy focuses on the homework help centers developed by the County of Los Angeles Public Library. Describes a study conducted in partnership with the University of Southern California that investigated the cost effectiveness; success; and student, teacher, and parent perceptions of the centers to justify funding. (LRW)

Describes characteristics of working-class people who are attending community colleges. Discusses InfoPLACE, a comprehensive career-planning resource center serving a socioeconomic cross-section of clients from a public library setting. Offers that using InfoPLACE before reaching the college campus can be beneficial. Presents examples of…

Examines public library services to young children and their families and the possible effects of those services on preschool learning. Topics include library-community partnerships to promote literacy; readiness to learn; and children at risk for difficulties in acquiring literacy, including socioeconomic factors and ethnic and language…

This revised edition of competencies for librarians serving children in public libraries was developed by the American Library Association. Highlights include knowledge of client group; administrative and management skills; communication skills; materials and collection development; skills in developing library programs, advocacy, public…