Discusses how libraries can help children and teenagers meet their needs for the future and the current status of the nation's library service to youth. A checklist for assessing library service at the state and local levels is provided, and national proposals recommended for action at the Second White House Conference on Library and Information…

Description of public libraries that are combined and housed with school libraries focuses on successful library combinations in Canada and Australia. Topics discussed include community needs; cost factors; staffing and administrative issues; cataloging differences; location considerations; services offered; funding; and advantages for rural…

Describes the development of a microcomputer based management information system (MIS) for the DeKalb County Public Library. Data collection activities that determined system requirements and the evolution of a database design from those requirements are discussed, as well as plans to develop a generic public library MIS based on this model.…

Describes the development, operation, and services of a special unit at the Chicago Public Library that provides reference and research services to professional librarians. Specific reference materials, online databases, and current awareness services are covered. The selection and acquisition of library materials is discussed in some detail. (21…

Reports the results of a study of two library systems' differing approaches to staff involvement in library planning. The systems' attempts to prepare staff members, keep them informed, and encourage staff participation are described, and the resulting benefits are contrasted. Suggestions for successful staff involvement are offered. (34…

Surveyed academic, corporate, and public libraries about their utilization of CD-ROMs and application of information technology. Results show that almost half of the surveyed libraries have over five computers with CD-ROMs and that most are technologically ready to meet patron information needs via facsimiles and electronic mail. (JMV)

Reviews literature that describes information need studies of medical communities. Surveyed health-care professionals in a rural community to identify the information needs of health- care professionals, their primary sources of information, their attitudes toward the public library, and information needs of patients. An appendix contains…

Describes one library's development of a CD-ROM lending collection. Topics include survey results, policies, procedures, troubleshooting, and promotion. A sidebar contains a brief bibliography of journals which review CD-ROMs and publishers who provide CD samplers. (AEF)

Discussion of the relationship between public library directors and the board of trustees highlights the library trustee and director survey that was conducted in Pennsylvania in 1994 to identify potential areas of conflict. Topics include the effect of library size, library planning, policy development, purchasing decisions, personnel issues, and…

Describes a ghost story writing contest developed by The St. Joseph County Public Library (South Bend, IN) and created to encourage students in grades three to eight to practice writing and to recognize talented writers. Sidebars present a contest timetable and a list of judging criteria for librarians interested in starting writing contests. (JMV)

Details the Rockford (Illinois) Public Library's activities involved with developing a community online information system and the not-for-profit organization established to run the system. Includes mission statement; guiding principles, policy statements; standing committees and goals for first year of operation; funding; adding users and…

Describes steps of planning, implementing, and evaluating Books Build Bridges, a public library program created by Connecticut's Stratford Library Association. The program paired local senior citizens with young adults who then read picture books to first, second, and third graders. Sidebars present reading tips for volunteers, program tips, and…

A library school dean, a public library director, and a recent graduate working as a public librarian give their reactions to a set of competencies recently developed by the Public Library Association's Education for Public Librarians Committee. Background and future plans for the document are also explained. (SLW)

Examines reading habits of Estonians with studies dating back to the 1960s and discusses the impact of the printed word on culture. Focuses on changes since the Estonian's transition to the market economy: (1) reading has become casual and less frequent; (2) literary preferences have shifted; and (3) smaller home libraries have increased the need…

This study assessed the impact of a course on information resources for engineers at the University of Michigan. Questionnaires were sent to 60 students who had taken the class and 60 who had not. Results indicated that students who had taken the course identified more resources, rated college and public libraries higher, and spent more time…