Discussion of public libraries, the Internet, and the World Wide Web focuses on development of a Web site in Washington. Highlights include access to the Internet through online public access catalogs; partnerships between various types of libraries; hardware and software; HTML training; content design; graphics design; marketing; evaluation; and…

Discusses the effects of technological change and demographic shifts on the future of public libraries. Topics include displacement through disintermediation (replacing professional librarians with automated systems), the voucher movement, impact of new media on publishing, new information aggregators, cheaper computing equipment and Internet…

Provides an overview of Greek public libraries and discusses the role of the mobile library, which deposits books directly at communities and schools. Specifically, the MOBILE project concentrates on cost-effective alternatives for information access by remote communities or special-needs populations and on promoting cross-border European…

Discusses variations between academic and public libraries for librarians contemplating a career change from academic to public librarianship. Highlights include the political atmosphere of public libraries; library boards; organizational goals; collection development; censorship issues; diversity; employment process; the future of public…

This discussion of the importance of library-administered readership promotion campaigns in the traditionally oral societies of Nigeria discusses influential familial, social, cultural, and economic factors that need to be considered in establishing reading programs for rural communities. The role of state library boards, staffing and financial…

Describes a study that examined the use of children's books in a public library and a school library to determine whether there were differences in types and subjects of books circulated, and whether a relationship existed between the school district curriculum and circulation of nonfiction subjects. The implications for cooperative collection…

Examines possible barriers to adequate reference services to children and young adults. Topics discussed include the effects of budget pressures and shifting priorities in public and academic libraries; equity in access to information; reference policies; communication between children and adult services staff and administration; multiple service…

Public schooling fails by educating students to become dependent thinkers; by providing irrelevant curricula; and by weakening social institutions such as family, community, and religion. On the other hand, public libraries give students the freedom to choose what they want to read, encourage critical thinking, and be nonjudgmental of students.…

Describes the development of a term paper resource center in public libraries that supports school assignments. A cooperative effort between the public library and school library is discussed, a topic file with appropriate resources listed is described, instructions for writing outlines and bibliographies are suggested, and provision of software…

Discusses the need to provide information on sexuality and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) to children and young adults and provides in-depth reviews of appropriate resource materials. Abstinence and sexual responsibility are discussed; school curriculum resources are described; and resources for teachers are reviewed. (LRW)

Three papers on library budget priorities for the 1990s discuss (1) reallocating the budget to spend less on staff and more on collections and access; (2) budget concerns of public libraries, emphasizing the future role of libraries; and (3) the academic library perspective, including assumptions, evaluation, and new paradigms related to library…

Describes a project that assessed the impact of connecting rural public libraries to the Internet and the effect on librarians, local communities, and the larger Internet community. The evaluation approach, factors critical to project success, conclusions about public libraries and the Internet, and comments on the future of networked public…

Examines influences on Israelis' reading habits during the past two decades, including the increase in the educational level, the assimilation of immigrants, the emergence of television and video, and the establishment of a network of public libraries. Reading habits of the school-age population and of Israel's Arab minority are also surveyed. (28…

Four articles discuss library services to diverse user groups. Highlights include the Seattle Public Library's Human Diversity Training Program for library staff; cultural diversity at the University of Northern Colorado, including library collection development; information needs of physicists in special libraries; and library services to…

Describes the activities of One with One, a community-based organization (CBO) that was started to reduce prejudice through individual, bicultural partnerships between Americans and newcomers. Libraries' roles in aiding this effort are discussed, including summer youth programs, vocational training programs, and building ESL…