Discusses the concept of information as a commodity and several approaches to selling information. Problems with the commodification of information are identified, including user fees that exclude the poor, censorship, and educational liabilities. A plan of action for libraries to resist this trend is described. (18 references) (MES)

Explores the relationship between Public Library Association (PLA) planning and the themes of literacy, productivity, and democracy that were chosen by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS). Discussion is based on data collected by the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) that examine current library services in…

Ten top authors talk about how they use libraries; what they think of technology in libraries; the impact of libraries on society; how society values libraries; and how libraries helped inspire their writing careers. Authors include writers of novels, plays, poetry, historical fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature. (KRN)

Financial need, inadequate preparation, racism, and lack of support groups contribute to low minority retention in higher education. Academic libraries can empower minority students with research and information skills, reflect diversity in their collections, and train staff in multicultural sensitivity. (SK)

Explores conceptions of leadership from the perspectives of practitioners and scholars and discusses the role of librarians in leading others to sources of knowledge for understanding leadership. Highlights include how leaders are selected, the relationship between leaders and followers, evaluating leadership quality, and leadership from the…

Discusses the factors that led to the rise of the Arabic-Islamic libraries during the seventh through fourteenth centuries. The most famous libraries are identified, the management and organization of these libraries are described, and the factors behind the destruction of the Arabic-Islamic libraries are discussed. (30 references) (CLB)

The Apple Library (the library at Apple Computer, Inc.) currently reports to the research and development arm of the company, a relationship that has been mutually advantageous. The library has been involved in research through a library users group, a grant program, and a laboratory within the library. (MES)

Examines research, policy analysis, and the role of the librarian through a case study of the development of a mental-health parity report for Florida. Topics include the intersection of research and policy, mental illness as public policy, and economic factors. (Author/LRW)

Considers what library outreach means in the age of networked information and suggests that outreach should focus more on libraries and librarians as resources for advice on how to search in general, rather than where to find familiar information. Discusses use of the Internet and search engines. (LRW)

Presents the T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) approach for implementing distance-learning technology in a secondary-school setting. The roles of the T.E.A.M. members (i.e., broadcasting teacher, technician, librarian, classroom teacher, administrator, and teacher-trainer) are described, and advantages of this approach are summarized.…

Describes a librarian's experiences in developing cooperative and collaborative relationships with classroom teachers. Discusses how she moved from a fixed-schedule library to an open, flexibly scheduled library. Suggests that, by pooling their ideas and experiences, teachers and librarians can provide students with many different kinds of…

Explains how a public library can compute the actual cost of distributing tax forms to the public by listing all direct and indirect costs and demonstrating the formulae and necessary computations. Supplies directions for calculating costs involved for all levels of staff as well as associated public relations efforts, space, and utility costs.…

Summarizes some of the uses and benefits of the Internet for online publishing. The diversity of end-user needs and capabilities is discussed, and a user-centered approach to designing information products for the Internet is recommended. The role of librarians and the importance of communication between online publishers and users are considered.…

Chronicles the California Library Association's battle against anti-Communist censorship attempts from 1946 to 1956 in schools and public libraries as well as on the legislative front. An overview of the "Fiske report" is offered as an explanation of how intellectual freedom challenges impacted California librarians of the period.…

Examines the background, roles, services, and ways in which the modern prison library can meet the needs of both inmates and prison staff. Discusses international and national standards as well as the special skills needed by library staff to deal with difficult prison patrons. (Author/LRW)