This paper aims to present the role, values, and legal policy issues facing public Library resources in supporting students to achieve academic success. Research indicates that majority of people that own or work in the Library tend to ignore some of the vital roles, values and legal policy issues paramount to libraries. Some of these issues are…

This timely special report from ALA Editions provides a succinct but comprehensive overview of the "privatization" of public libraries. It provides a history of the trend of local and state governments privatizing public services and assets, and then examines the history of public library privatization right up to the California…

The duty of a public institution to make available all literature, even what may seem valueless or dangerous at any particular moment, was called in question by the sensitivity of one individual to unfavorable personal comment. (Author)

Examines the legal issues surrounding Internet filtering in public libraries. Discusses First Amendment rights and responsibilities; recent court cases; legal problems with limiting Internet access; librarian intervention; less restrictive means to protect minors from harmful materials; and possible liability issues. (LRW)

The legal and structural arrangements for public-academic library cooperation are examined. Rhode Island's program illustrates the problems involved as well as the importance of the role of the state library agency in successfully establishing cooperative programs. (Author)

This 25-page annotated bibliography describes the legal reference materials in the special collection of a medium-sized public library. Sources are listed in 12 categories: cases, dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, forms, references for the lay person, general, indexes, laws and legislation, legal research aids, periodicals, and specialized…

Discusses national differences, natural justice, and protection of tangible expressions in the copyright law and tactical and practical considerations regarding the legal aspects of author compensation for library lending. Special problems for public lending rights legislation (PLR) in the U.S. are cited. Eighteen references are provided. (CHC)

A survey of Illinois public libraries found that: security was a problem (58%); material theft was a problem (56%); periodical mutilation was a problem (42%); and a patron or staff member was expelled or arrested in the previous year (26%). Discusses perceptions of security, security incidents, electronic security systems, and security policies.…

Relates experiences of public library in dealing with request for circulation records of inmate residing in county jail. Library policy, law and the prosecutor, preparing defense for refusal to comply with request, public relations, consequences of court appeals, and making the decision to comply with subpoena are discussed. (9 refernces) (EJS)

A collection of papers takes a look at collective bargaining in the library world. Following an introductory chapter on the history and current status of the issue, there are two papers which discuss general problems and the current extent of library unionization. Other papers deal with the legal environment, recognition and bargaining units, the…

A manual, designed to define the materials of local history and to tell how to deal with them, provides step-by-step instructions for setting up such collections. The collecting and selecting process is described, as are the organizational problems and possibilities in handling books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, photographs, pictures, tape…

Explores the legal ramifications of malpractice among librarians and the possible impact on services due to fear of being sued. Topics include identification of potential malpractice areas; cooperative electronic reference services; use of reference standards; insurance; contract; disclaimer; updating library collections; using Internet resources;…

Challenging both the extreme libertarians and the extreme moralists, this book explores the public interest in moral norms and moral character and discusses how that interest is best served. Chapters are devoted to (1) "The Evolution of Standards and the 'Roth' Case," (2) "Aftermath of 'Roth'," (3) "The First Amendment and the Free Society:…

Many activities that take place in the library, including circulation and interlibrary loan and reserve requests, result in the creation of records linking clients to specific kinds of information. Several groups, including law enforcement officials, have attempted on various occasions to gain access to these records. This research paper provides…