Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to follow up on the 2009 publication "Building a virtual branch at Vancouver Public Library (VPL) using Web 2.0 tools" and to explore the work that VPL has been doing in the social media space over the past two years. Design/methodology/approach: Following the launch of its new web site in 2008,…

Examines issues related to selection and censorship in five public libraries in Southern California in order to document public librarians' selection practices and to determine whether library policy and procedure assist librarians when confronted with challenges from the community. Explores issues of self-censorship in selection and community…

The Urban Libraries Council's (ULC) Fast Facts Surveys are not intended to be scientific studies of the library community; rather, they are "snapshots" on topics of current interest. The topic of this survey is fees for library services. A total of 64 surveys were mailed to 1993 ULC member libraries in February 1993; 49 surveys were…

Discussion of young adult library services focuses on the results of a survey of New Jersey public libraries. Highlights include job titles; population served; job responsibilities; young adult services; young adult staff; policy of information provision; young adult research preferences; and recommendations for future research. (LRW)

This study applied discrete choice analysis to the modeling of public library use and choice behavior. Five library use models and two library choice models were estimated from data obtained by a citizen survey in Kashiwa City, Japan. A library choice model was applied to predicting users' library choice under alternative library policies. (17…

Describes a survey of public libraries that examined the phenomenon of latchkey children. Findings discussed include the estimated number of latchkey children in public libraries, effects on the library, library policies, and services provided and recommended for latchkey children. Specific recommendations to help public libraries clarify their…

To improve its service, the Offa (Nigeria) township library conducted a user study. The investigation found that 51% of users were students ages 19 and below and that 78% were males. Most users wanted extended hours, improved newspaper collections, more accurate shelving, and a consistent lending policy for all materials and users. (PEN)

Public libraries implementing public access to the Internet are faced with making new usage policies. This study examined 75 public library Internet access policies and identifies 26 policy elements. Finds consensus in disclaimers for libraries, parental responsibility for children, warnings about potentially offensive material, and loss of…

Describes a survey of public librarians that examined their understanding and use of bibliographic instruction and their beliefs about the role of instruction in reference services. No consensus was found, but respondents' views seemed to be mediated by training in bibliographic instruction, library size, and the library's policy on user…

Discussion of private fund raising by public libraries focuses on a survey of public library directors that was conducted to obtain information about successful fund-raising strategies. Highlights include uses of money raised; identifying funding sources and prospects; examples of successful activities; and gift policies. (Contains four…

Plots trends in the growth of Internet use. Discusses pornography on the Web, using filters, and the ALA response. Reports results of a survey of Internet availability within Pennsylvania public libraries. Findings indicate more than 90% of respondents offer access to the Internet, nearly 80% do not use filters, and 50% attempt to control access…

The purpose of this research was to explore the possible roles and responsibilities that public libraries might assume in the National Information Infrastructure (NII). Data was collected from September 1994 through June 1995, relying on the following data collection techniques: focus groups, personal interviews, survey data analysis, case…

A survey of Illinois public libraries found that: security was a problem (58%); material theft was a problem (56%); periodical mutilation was a problem (42%); and a patron or staff member was expelled or arrested in the previous year (26%). Discusses perceptions of security, security incidents, electronic security systems, and security policies.…

Based on a 1993 survey of 187 children's librarians in 14 states, this status report summarizes and discusses data representing input measures, output measures, fill rates, and special questions about the relationship between school and public libraries. It makes recommendations for improving the quantity and quality of data used to make decisions…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit reports results of a survey of 82 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions conducted in early 1992 in order to gather information on interlibrary loan by examining a number of operation and management changes that are occurring and the steps that might be taken to ease the pressure…