Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the state of development of Polish digital libraries. Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the establishment of the first digital library in Poland, the creation of the Wielkopolska Digital Library and other regional digital libraries. The organisational and technological solutions used…

Volunteers are essential to a successful library program--and at a time when deep budget cuts are the norm, there are many libraries that depend on the help of dedicated volunteers, who do everything from shelving books to covering the phones. Whether these are friends, trustees, or community members, managing them effectively is the key to…

This paper reports on a questionnaire survey of 16 national libraries designed to clarify how national libraries attempt to justify their web archiving activities. Results indicate they envisage that a) the benefits brought about by their initiatives are greater than the overall costs, b) the costs imposed on libraries are greater than the costs…

During the period in which Duane Webster led the Association for Research Libraries (ARL), powerful commercial interests sought for their own financial purposes the information resources essential for providing education and performing research. Juxtaposed was the Internet with its inherent capacity to democratizing these resources. Commercial…

This article discusses the events that occurred when Donald J. Olson was arrested for arrested for insider trading and SEC violations. Olson had been arrested for embezzling money from his own company, cooking the books to hide the missing funds, providing insider financial information to friends to boost stock prices, and numerous other offenses.…

When professional movers are hired to move a library collection, drawing up written specifications becomes the most important part of the planning process. Specifications explain exactly what needs to be done, form the basis for a legal contract, and provide the basis for determining the cost of the job. Precision is an important component of…

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)

Provides general techniques for using an evaluative interview and offers guidelines on legal requirements for the interview process. Methods for determining candidates' qualifications are considered, along with the importance of advanced planning. (CWM)

Discusses technique and legal requirements for interviewing primarily from the library employer's perspective, drawing information from the writings of Fear and Lopez, personal experience, and specific libraries' policies. (CWM)

This new edition of the Idaho Library Laws contains changes through the 1998 legislative session and includes Idaho Code sections that legally affect city, school-community or district libraries, or the Idaho State Library. These sections include the basic library laws in Idaho Code Title 33, Chapters 25, 26, and 27, additional sections of the law…

Legal implications of oral history research and collection can be divided into four broad areas of concern, including copyright, restriction of access, libel, and contracts. This document presents highlights from various authorities in each of these areas. Peterson notes that interviewers and interviewees hold the copyright to their own words; a…

Provides guidelines for library administrators for the dismissal of employees, including: the importance of evaluation in hiring, clear personnel policies; routine performance appraisal, provisions for improvement, documentation, planning the dismissal and termination conference, legal ramifications, severance pay, and counseling. (JKP)

This handbook was assembled to aid Michigan communities in the establishment of district libraries, or libraries formed by united efforts and resources of two or more municipalities. Two major areas are covered, establishment and funding. The "Establishment" section outlines steps involved in the process, sample resolutions of…

This guide provides basic information as a reference manual for the use of officials appointed and elected to serve on public library boards throughout New Hampshire, and offers guidance to library governing boards in meeting the challenges of trusteeship of the state's public libraries. Topics covered include trustee qualifications,…

Examines liability issues for academic libraries=FE student workers. Discussion includes staff training; hiring practices; supervision; negligence; emergency procedures; the use of reasonable care; and knowledge of library rules. Specific nonlibrary liability cases are cited as examples of the importance of employee screening, training, and danger…