Argues that the library has a responsibility to provide access to materials and ensure absolute privacy for children in the same manner as it does for adults. Attention this issue has received is discussed and policies formed at the Contra Costa County Library in California are described. Sources for further reading and listening are suggested.…

Describes six library projects that won Apple Library of Tomorrow (ALOT) grants for proposed information technology projects. Public library, high school library, university library, and Library of Congress projects are profiled that deal with learning facilities with videodisk, electronic bulletin boards, community outreach projects,…

Describes special information needs in Nigeria and discusses how these needs must be reflected in library education curriculum. Topics discussed include illiteracy; strong oral tradition; primitive nature of the book publishing industry; public apathy; production of literacy resources; public relations and outreach programs; and organization of…

Reviews issues identified by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services that relate to the needs of youth and offers specific suggestions for ways in which libraries can meet those needs. Proposed federal legislation is discussed, and a checklist designed to assess gaps at the state and local levels is provided. (CLB)

Develops a career and managerial profile of directors of Northeastern medium-sized public libraries based on the responses of 217 directors. The results confirm the existence of many of the gender-based career patterns found among directors of academic and larger public libraries together with an emphasis on internal administrator roles. (16…

Discusses areas of confusion concerning the role of public libraries that endanger the existence of public libraries. It is argued that the future of the public library depends on its responsiveness to the needs of the people that such libraries were created to serve, and suggestions for achieving this state are offered. (CLB)

Reports the results of a quasi-experimental evaluation of the effects of the California English-only law on public librarians' acquisition policies and attitudes toward books in Spanish for children and young adults. The results, which showed no effects, are interpreted in terms of the symbolic functions of legislation and public policy. (seven…

Reports results of a recent national survey that examined the availability and variety of services provided to multicultural populations by medium and large public libraries. Highlights include measuring multicultural activity; planning for new services; staffing; languages; literacy and English-as-a-Second-Language programs; and barriers to…

Provides an overview of school libraries in Israel. Highlights include a historical background of school library development, including teaching library skills, developing curriculum, and reading guidance; problem areas, including funding shortages, the need for improved physical facilities, public libraries, and classroom library collections; and…

Discusses evaluation procedures for public libraries. Topics addressed include accountability; cooperation among libraries; economic factors; evaluation options, including the use of staff and/or consultants; problems uncovered; and factors to consider when deciding to keep or discard materials, including community needs, circulation statistics,…

Discusses the results of the California "Tax Revolt," specifically Proposition 13, on public services. Examines the relationship between declining literacy levels and a lack of library skills; and proposes a program where libraries and schools can work together to restore library funding, adapt library instruction, and promote literacy.…

Compares current and past results from two surveys done of Association of Research Libraries' members to determine how electronic reference services affect staff, patron expectations, and user instruction. Increases were found in: patron Internet access; end user online searching; local area networks; and tape-loading databases. Decreases were…

Discussion of library activities at the Bensenville (Illinois) Public Library to promote lifelong learning focuses on services to the Hispanic community, including defining the target audience; family literacy programs, including home visits to help explain and promote library activities; and community involvement. (LRW)

A collection of eight articles discusses resource sharing in a variety of settings. Highlights include: community networks, document delivery in library consortia, Internet access for schools, automation and resource sharing at community college libraries, lending of special collections materials, cooperative rural library services, and web sites…

Revised by the Reference and Adult Services Division of the American Library Association, these guidelines outline factors to consider in seeking input on material selection for public and academic libraries. Topics addressed include the purpose of the guidelines, user groups, collection development, communication with users, and outcomes. (EA)