Many of the descriptions of public libraries as sanctuaries provide myriad examples of ways in which they serve the underserved: language circles, English language learning and citizenship classes, and access to technology for the homeless, to name a few. In the school library, if librarians are providing sanctuary only to those who feel…

The article explores the concept of baby boomers as a "crossover" generation, one that embodies characteristics of previous and later generations. The context is the retirement of the baby boomers and its potential impact on the public library. Ethnographic method within a constructivist framework was used, employing the techniques of…

According to the preface, "in light of the growing multicultural population in the United States, twenty-first-century library services will require culturally competent librarians." For years AASL has been addressing cultural issues in its official journal, "Knowledge Quest". This collection brings together articles that touch…

School librarians serving diverse learning communities, such as the Chicago Public Schools, have always been aware of the need to seek out multicultural books as "mirrors [that] let readers see reflections of their own lives; windows [that] let them see others' lives." But until a colleague sent this author the document "10 Quick…

Discusses the role of librarians in terms of their responsibility to examine the social content of children's literature and then decide whether that content is appropriate for a particular child based on possible biases. (CLB)

Discusses biographies written for young adults and describes problems with inferior writing in many of them. Examples of both good and bad biographies are given, and problems highlighted include unimportant details, a failure to make facts interesting, an absence of personal information, and an emphasis on neutrality from fear of bias. (LRW)

Male NextGen Librarians remain a rare breed. In fact, 82 percent of librarians are female, according to 2002 U.S. Statistical Abstract figures, and 21 percent of 2002 LIS grads were male, according to "Salaries Stalled, Jobs Tight." The author decided to get to know some of the men who make up this minority. Fifty-one younger male new librarians…

Examines some of the issues that arise for women as they learn to use their power effectively while competing for leadership in male-dominated organizations and outlines six styles of power and principles for using these strategies appropriately. (CLB)

Examines biographies of Marie Curie written for children and discusses two types of distortions: simple misrepresentations of fact and selective retelling of the past. It is concluded that biographies of minority or female success should deal specifically with strategies used by the hero or heroine to combat prejudice. (EM)

A study of 62 children's readers in use in three Texas cities demonstrated that such books are less male-focused than they appeared to be in a similar 1972 survey. Contends that both boys and girls would benefit from a still more equitable representation. (DM)

This example of online searching, employed as a research method rather than as a tool to gather bibliographic information, used Magazine Index to collect data which were manipulated using geographic codes and compared with the buildings of a 1977 study on geographic bias in television news reporting. (EM)

Discussion of performance appraisal in nonprofit organizations and the difficulties involved in obtaining accurate job feedback examines four types of appraisal: behavioralism; minimal model; heuristic knowledge; and tacit information from in-house experimentation. Conclusions are drawn about the usefulness of these approaches and a suggestion for…

Presents a selective annotated bibliography of books on Native Americans for young people (23 recommended books, 11 books to avoid, 13 guides to selection, and 9 sources for books). Makes suggestions for evaluating books on Native Americans. Pervasive and dehumanizing stereotypes of Native Americans are ingrained in popular culture. (SLD)

Includes seven articles that discuss how to motivate middle school, junior high, and senior high school students to read. Highlights include problems in encouraging recreational reading; magazines; activities to promote books and reading; an annotated bibliography of books on Columbus and other explorers; women's history activities; and gender…

Lists 14 resources that are guides to selecting books for and about Native Americans for young people. They include bibliographies, discussions of cultural bias, periodicals, and a checklist for evaluation. (SLD)