Describes recent cases of censorship in Florida, which involve books and magazines in school and public libraries, magazine sales, public showings of films, television programs, and art exhibits. It is suggested that the present censorship climate is the result of a rapid population growth that has led to fear of change and a desire for…

Describes TRESNET, a fully automated resource sharing network that provides an interlibrary loan and film booking system for the public libraries of seven counties and three municipalities in Ontario. The discussion covers the implementation and operation of the network and benefits being derived from it. (Author/CLB)

Describes a reading practice program offered by a public library for children in grades two through six who are reading below their grade level. The focus on reading for pleasure and developing self confidence through individual sessions with volunteers is discussed. An assessment of the program is also presented. (CLB)

Reports the results of a study that surveyed online vendors of both large and microcomputer based library management systems to examine patterns of system installation in public, university, college, special, and government libraries in Canada. A directory of online vendors is provided. (CLB)

Explores the legal ramifications of malpractice among librarians and the possible impact on services due to fear of being sued. Topics include identification of potential malpractice areas; cooperative electronic reference services; use of reference standards; insurance; contract; disclaimer; updating library collections; using Internet resources;…

Summarizes findings of a graduate school study on community networks (electronic townhalls) and their involvement with local public libraries. Representatives of 24 networks participated, answering telephone queries on network services, users, goals, funding, governance, technical design, social benefits, government information provision,…

Provides a brief overview of Tanzania; describes the infrastructure of the Tanzania Library Service, including public, school, government, special, and academic libraries, rural library service, training and staffing, professional organizations, and publishing; and reviews recent literature on Tanzanian libraries. (26 references) (LRW)

Provides a guide for moving a library collection, based on advice from five librarians and sources in library literature. Topics include appointing a supervisor; choosing a date; weeding the collection; hiring movers; measuring shelf space; labeling boxes; cleaning house; packing up; and maintaining a positive attitude. (AEF)

Discusses the future of librarians from public and academic library perspectives and describes the potential impact of home computer services on information seeking in public libraries. Notes the importance of the effects of copyright and privatization issues on future Internet use. Examines the future of electronic books and the need for and role…

Presents a taxonomy of 11 sources of information used during library and database searching based on observations of 49 searches in a variety of libraries and search situations. Three categories of sources are identified: those internal to the searcher, those created by the searcher, and those external to the searcher. (Contains 54 references.)…

Presents an interview with American Library Association award winner and children's librarian Jane Botham covering such issues as library relations with the community, relations with other agencies, dealing with reactions to controversial books, library staffing, developing children's appreciation for the library, and children's need for adult…

Explains the need for family literacy programs in Illinois and describes efforts to improve adult and child literacy. Topics discussed include poverty; reading, writing, and computing instruction; interaction between parents and children; families and books; partnerships between state agencies, private organizations, and public libraries; and…

Social and economic issues affecting the vitality of public libraries in California are discussed. A 1993 study by the California State Library identified diminishing reference skills and reference collections, reduced funding which impacted staffing, increased demand, technology change, and language/culture issues as contributing factors to…

Identifies and discusses four problems librarians face in dealing with the Internet: (1) how to locate information; (2) how to ensure that information is from a quality source; (3) what price should be paid for Internet access; and (4) what recourse is there for incorrect information. Sidebars include Internet site addresses and a discussion of…

Discusses trends in the automated system marketplace with specific attention to online vendors and their customers: academic, public, school, and special libraries. Presents vendor profiles; tables and charts on computer systems and sales; and sidebars that include a vendor source list and the differing views on procuring an automated library…