Provides ideas to help libraries build a successful volunteer program in light of changing lifestyles. Suggestions include recruiting from new and diverse sources such as seniors, people doing community service, minorities, and persons with disabilities and using formal employer groups. The importance of flexibility and professionalism in managing…

A profile of Marty Martelle, director of the Sacramento City-County Library System. (PF)

This essay aimed at large and medium-sized public libraries discusses library administration as a low-level function meant to support, rather than rule, the nonadministrative staff; management and administration as separate functions; the delegation of responsibility; and tasks of the administrator. (EJS)

Discusses the role of library trustees or board members in public library administrative decisions, examines managerial styles among public library directors, and describes situations that invite the board to micromanage. Sidebar "Success in 10 Steps" suggests ten steps to maintain a balance of power between staff and trustees. (LRW)

Describes the use of docents at the Denver Public Library and explains how to develop a successful volunteer docent program. Discusses their educational background; duties, including training patrons in computer use; cooperation of and acceptance by the professional staff; administrative support; and improved customer service. (LRW)

Examines laws regarding the retention and destruction of library records. Issues librarians need to address are suggested, including a definition of public records, who determines what records can be destroyed, and penalties for violations; and a sidebar discusses the need for retention of historical records from public libraries. (LRW)

Addresses the problem of crime committed in a library by its employees. Provides examples of crimes in state and public libraries. Discusses embezzlement in a state library, theft of library funds, falsification of records and violation of library loan policies, and reasons for crimes. Notes that such crimes can be safeguarded against by enforcing…

Presents interviews with Fred Kent, founder of the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) and Phil Myrick, PPS's assistant vice president, about transforming libraries into desirable public spaces. Discusses qualities people value in public spaces; great library buildings and what they are doing right; the first thing library directors should do when…

This response to suggestions that the technical services librarian may be replaced by a combination of paraprofessional staff and automated processes discusses the catalog librarian's role in staff training, systems analysis, integrated systems design, technical services management, and original cataloging. (CLB)

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)

Four tables present profile of American Library Association (ALA) membership (1982) in following categories: administrative groups; principal work areas; distribution of librarians by type of library (ALA membership, 1980 Committee on Status of Women Study, Department of Education "Library Human Resources" report); members in each type…

Presents an interview with two librarians who are participating in joint-use projects, one between a public library and a school library, and one between a public library and an academic library. Personnel, commingling collections, changing library roles, and governance boards are considered. (LRW)

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…