Describes recent changes in the District of Columbia Public Library. Highlights include the search and appointment of a new director; financial problems; past managerial problems; needed technology updates; the impact of municipal government problems; and a sidebar with a biography of the new director, Molly Raphael. (LRW)

Discusses chief factors that contributed to the rebirth of Chicago's central public library and its branch libraries: (1) a politically connected commissioner, (2) better funding, and (3) a central library. Highlights include a review of the library's administrative management styles, staff training techniques, past and current facilities,…

The Kalamazoo Public Library recently won an election that increased local library tax support from 2.8074 mills to 4 mills. Knowing why the election was being held, when information on the issue(s) would be communicated to voters, and how the information would be disseminated contributed to its success. The funding provides for renovations, a new…

Discusses the impact of home use of electronic information sources, such as the Internet, on traditional library services. Suggests that librarians should devote themselves to how people seek, organize, and consume information. Describes 21st century strategies to help libraries use traditional information services combined with computer…

Description of the Ann Arbor (Michigan) District Library focuses on the transition from being a public library that had status under the public schools. Highlights include public support for new taxation, expanded and improved services, staff development, partnerships and programs with other community groups and schools, and future plans. (LRW)

The director of the Public Library of Nashville & Davidson County (Tennessee) discusses the library's development since 1995. Highlights include Nashville's growth potential and political climate; improving the efficiency of internal operations; staff involvement in problem-solving (technology training and systemwide programming);…

Discussion of videocassette lending by public libraries emphasizes the need for a video policy and discusses: (1) needs assessment; (2) planning; (3) the new video client; (4) workload; (5) budget; (6) access for minors; and (7) competition with video stores. (four references) (MES)

Describes the Pacific Northwest Conspectus Database, a regional resource assessment tool which includes information about library collections in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Use of the database by academic, public, and special librarians to better manage their collections and to coordinate planning and purchasing with other…

Discusses Indiana-Marion County Public Library's decision to implement centralized collection selection and to hire a collection development librarian. Benefits of centralized selection include the decentralization of subject materials and the consequent broadening of subject materials at branch libraries. Selection depends upon a knowledge of the…

Discusses areas of confusion concerning the role of public libraries that endanger the existence of public libraries. It is argued that the future of the public library depends on its responsiveness to the needs of the people that such libraries were created to serve, and suggestions for achieving this state are offered. (CLB)

Discussion of the information crisis focuses on possible new forms of library collections. Topics discussed include the rising quantity and costs of publications; improvements in access through new technologies; vendors' plans using electronic text; information flow; economics factors, including user fees; and the role of the commercial sector.…