Discusses the need for public libraries to improve their collections for and services to beginning readers. Suggests that public libraries should reconfigure their children's departments and budgets based on the three stages to reading fluency, of which level two is the learning to read years that includes beginning readers. (LRW)

Describes the results of Flossmoor Public Library's long-range planning initiatives for youth services, which has resulted in improvements in collection development and programing. Evaluation procedures and techniques were recognized as valuable learning tools to increase the effectiveness of services, enhance communication with the board and…

Describes a plan developed by the Phoenix Public Library that involved all librarians working in branches in defining what constitutes excellence in professional performance in the areas of collection development, reference and reader's advisory services, and community interaction. Characteristics related to excellence are identified, and…

Discussion of the need for strategic planning in public libraries highlights a case study of a small resort town library, the Crawford Memorial Library, in Monticello, New York. Deciding on specific library roles and planning their implementation are described, and the importance of environment and competition in strategic planning is explained.…

Describes the Health Information Project, a plan created by the Maryland State Department of Education that allows residents to obtain health information from public libraries. Examples of patron situations involving health questions illustrate the plan's main elements: collection development, staff training, networking with community agencies,…

Discusses the impact of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) on state prison libraries. Evaluations of the LSCA are reviewed; the effectiveness of the LSCA in the areas of library budgets, staff, and book collection size is considered; and recommendations for further research are suggested. (22 references) (LRW)

Describes the history and development of the Queens Borough (New York) Public Library's New Americans Program that was designed to meet the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse community. Highlights include outreach services, language classes, collection building, and examples of specific programs for Hispanic, Chinese, and Korean…

Describes factors that have hindered Spanish-language collection development and suggests strategies and tools that can help the non-Spanish-speaking librarian select and acquire Spanish-language monographs, periodicals, and audiovisual media for adult and youth audiences. Provides lists of selected resources for Spanish-language and Latino book…

Discusses the role of libraries in the Arizona Strategic Planning for Economic Development Project. Highlights include the Arizona example; survey results and implications for libraries; the Economic Development Information Center (EDIC), the project's players, collection development, and training sessions; some success stories; and the future of…

This preliminary study suggests that the same level of timeliness and accuracy can be obtained for answers to reference questions using resources in freely available World Wide Web sites as with traditional print-based resources. Discusses implications for library collection development, new models of consortia, training needs, and costing and…

Twelve community telephone surveys administered to the residents of 34 Connecticut towns measured their knowledge, attitudes, and use related to public library services. Results suggested needed improvements in collection development, the importance of location, and residents' willingness to pay more per year for library services. (SLW)

Presents the perspectives of four public library administrators on sharing facilities with local schools, including benefits and problems. Topics include physical accommodations; intellectual freedom issues; security issues; management issues; costs and budgetary considerations; staffing; collection development policies; and the need for a…