Examines the place of fiction in the library collection, the attitudes and practices of Australian librarians with respect to fiction, and the factors, including historical ones, which have shaped these attitudes. A proposal for a new approach to fiction in public libraries is presented. (Author/CLB)

Addresses importance of online databases as part of library reference collection and focuses on bibliographic databases (ready reference, print versus online migration, bibliographic utilities); selection/evaluation of online databases (vendor selection, individual databases); full-text databases; numeric databases; end-user searching; and use of…

This paper describes development of preservation/conservation policy in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Discussion covers concentration on manuscripts and older books, training of library personnel by the conservation staff, preservation methods, and balance between an institution's responsibilities to its readers and its duty to…

Outlines five areas to which standards of professionalism to enhance the public service of microform collections must apply: microform management policy; the microforms librarians; physical environment and equipment; bibliographic control and access (microform collection guides); and promotion of microform use (bibliographic instruction). Five…

This article discusses criteria of a good computer software package to aid the public librarian in the building, weeding, and maintenance of a software collection for young adults. Highlights include manuals or documentation; bells, whistles, and color; and the true test of time. (EJS)

Addresses factors to be considered in selecting library audiovisual materials in a time of increasingly complex constraints and operations. Suggestions offered include learning how to dig out facts that count, using unorthodox resources for evaluation, updating selection policy, and employing statistical and other measures to analyze patrons and…

This article briefly outlines university/industry interactions and describes the issues surrounding them: advantages of mutual support, the role of academic libraries, impact on research, patent agreements, freedom of speech, access in libraries, the expanding user community, student participation in career-related activities, and impact on…

Argues that the Museum of Comparative Zoology Library reflects the union between the nineteenth century natural history values of Louis Agassiz and the twentieth century library and information science methodology. Special collections, records, cataloging and classification, serials and their classification, policies, services, and procedures are…

Discusses reference librarian skills necessary to provide service to genealogy patrons: know patrons, know how to do genealogical research, become familiar with basic reference tools, know how to refer genealogists to other agencies, conduct successful reference interview, develop collection of reference materials and interlibrary loan services.…

Describes how genealogists visiting the Library of Congress can use Library of Congress Information System (LOCIS) to identify genealogies in library's collections. Search strategies within two LOCIS systems--Multiple-Use MARC System (MUMS) and Subject-Oriented-Retriever for Processing Information Online (SCORPIO)--and the PREMARC database for…

Report on survey of 160 public libraries highlights characteristics of libraries involved in literacy education, incentives and barriers, services provided, populations served, library staff, materials and equipment, library participation in cooperative literacy efforts, and budget and funding sources. A recommended approach to library involvement…

Describes experiences of the Cranbrook Public Library (British Columbia) in implementation of an automated circulation system. Background of the library and need for the system, stages of development, use of community volunteers, retrospective conversion, functions of the menu-driven system, benefits from the system, software, and system costs are…

The history, organization, function, holdings, regulations, and services of the International Library, Museum and Archives of Optometry, a section of the American Optometric Association, are outlined. (MSE)

By addressing the concept of merchandising, this handbook shows librarians how to turn their young adult collection into one that will attract teenagers. Delivering an introduction to marketing and merchandising concepts, the author shares years of experience as a teen services librarian, combined with the latest studies and research findings on…

The book "Double Fold" is an investigation into what its author Nicholas Baker, a novelist and essayist, terms as a deception of research libraries and their maintenance of books and newspapers, their paper collections. This book is a response to Baker's writings, based on the author's perspective as an archivist. The first chapter introduces…