Discusses the role of the librarian in child abuse prevention, including the identification of high risk situations, provision of appropriate literature and support group information, and acting as a role model. An annotated bibliography of books for children and young adults in families at risk is provided. (8 references) (CLB)

Discusses the library's responsibility toward children, including the development of literacy skills, the use of public libraries by latchkey children, and increased demands for youth library services. The need for children's services now to improve the outlook for adult services later is examined, and suggestions for non-children's services…

There are no foolproof solutions to Internet access in libraries. This article lists selected library solutions, what not to do, and what to do: pick a common-sense approach, focus on customer service, keep an open mind, avoid accepting or repeating hearsay, and find common ground. Includes highlights of the Orange County (FL) Library System's…

Describes the patrons of and typical research projects conducted at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, as well as the role of the library, including research services and grants, library collections, and assistance to researchers beyond the library setting. (CLB)

Despite predictions that the Latino population will become the nation's largest minority group, mainstream publishing offers few titles for Spanish-language collections development. This article describes how the San Antonio (TX) public library has developed a "Latino Collection." Includes highlights on how the Queens Borough (NY) Public…

Discusses philosophy and economics of charging users for library services. Free services are advocated for reasons of equal access and intellectual freedom, and alternatives to charging are suggested, citing Seattle Public Library as an example. Opinions and statistics on library fees excerpted from the current literature are included. (CDD)

A laserdisc periodical index (InfoTrac) that offers relatively sophisticated search capabilities without librarian assistance or user training is now popular college library research tool. The index database consists of more than half million references to articles and reviews published since 1982 in 1,000 general interest, business, and technical…

Describes the Carrillo Heritage Center, a special section of a school library designed to preserve cultural materials and foster understanding of minority groups within the school population. Student activities, funding sources, and community reactions to the program are discussed. (CLB)

Three brief articles examine common beliefs which detract from the issue of national standards for library service; present suggestions for small library management; and describe the small Library Development Center at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. (CDD)

Discusses the goals of library networks in terms of sharing scarce resources and improving user access to information, and advocates cooperative library planning to enhance these goals, including interlibrary activities and multitype library systems. (CLB)

Describes three ways in which libraries use computers to enhance reference services: "Answers," the community information and referral service at Memorial Hall Library, Andover, Massachusetts; the Hot Topics File at State University of New York/Oswego, Penfield Library; and features of RLIN and WLN databases which make them valuable…

Although libraries offer equal information access, they need to be proactive to reach minority populations. This article describes efforts in Colorado to provide improved library services to African-American, Asian American, Latino, and Native American minorities and mentoring programs for minority library science students. Includes a model ethnic…

An information industry analyst suggests ways for librarians to deal with the acquisition and use of CD-ROM technology in their libraries. Practical information is provided on needs assessment, purchasing, system standards, and user access and fees, as well as sources of optical disk systems and titles. (CDD)

The first of two articles examines lack of professional recognition and promotional opportunities for children's librarians, and suggests remedies to administrators, library schools, and librarians. The second reports a decreasing candidate pool of school media specialists and discusses this in terms of increased educational requirements and lack…