Attempts to identify the trends, the issues, and the political nature of the debate over for-profit libraries, and discusses the precedents and practical aspects of user charges in an effort to offer some guidance to librarians faced with the decision of whether to charge for new information services. (Author/PF)

Discusses the introduction of new technologies into library activities, focusing on benefits, expectations, staff, services, comparison of situations before and after adoption of new technology, costs, funding, and economic considerations. Thirteen references are cited. (EJS)

Presents Library Journal's 1998 Budget Report, including the cost of linking to the Net; cost of Net maintenance; fund raising for fiscal years 1992, 1996, and 1997; projected budget changes from 1997 to 1998 and provides changes in budgets for 63 public libraries serving rural, suburban, and urban areas. (PEN)

Examines the factors that indicate slowing economic growth in the United States and their possible impact on library funding and expenditures. Areas discussed include government funding of libraries, regional economic differences, the increasing prices of library materials, and the overall economic outlook for libraries. (CLB)

Report on academic and public library facility construction (new buildings, additions, renovations) highlights academic library buildings and projects (1975-85), new circulation desks, public library buildings and projects, buildings not previously reported, funding, and a six-year cost summary. Individual project costs, square feet, volumes,…

Describes JSTOR (Journal Storage), a not-for-profit organization located in New York City, established to use digital technology to preserve and make accessible core journal literature. Highlights include publisher participation and license agreements; scanning and optical character recognition; missing information; systems design; project goals;…