This report highlights findings from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA) Survey, which collects financial, staffing, and service information from every SLAA in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This report organizes its findings into three areas: financial health, workforce, and services provided by…

The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit academic libraries in the United States during the spring semester of 2020, forced librarians and staff to redouble their efforts to reach out to users in light of newly enforced safety measures such as building closures, quarantine periods, enforced social distancing, etc. This article describes three…

The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) is a voluntary survey conducted annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS collects these data under the mandate in the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 as stated in SEC. 210. The U.S. Census Bureau is the data collection agent for IMLS. The fiscal year (FY) 2009 survey is the…

For over a half a century, State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) have played a key role in the development and delivery of library services in the United States. While the organization and responsibilities of these agencies vary from state to state, they have two things in common: state-level planning for library services and…

Since the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act was signed into law in October, 2001, library administrators have become increasingly concerned that staff-especially student employees-continue to protect the confidentiality of patron records. Administrators have also become increasingly concerned that when law enforcement officials provide paperwork giving them…

A librarian describes library services available for physically impaired students at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Following background information on the university's commitment to disabled students, a discussion is presented on the effects of federal legislation on changes in library facilities; collections; and services for disabled…

Discussion of the effects of a shortage of foreign exchange on the Tanzanian library service highlights Tanzania Library Services Board achievements (staff development and training, legislation, National Bibliographic Agency and bibliographic control, promotion of publishing, documentation) and problems with the provision of library services in…

This document presents testimony and prepared statements concerning Title II (Library Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and addresses ways in which to enhance and strengthen the resources and roles of academic libraries and information technology. Those giving testimony and/or providing prepared statements are the following: Richard…

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)

This publication is the first formal summation of results on a nationwide basis of progress under the Library Services Act, a State-local-Federal cooperative program for extension and improvement of public library services to rural areas. The two previous bulletins of this series have been concerned with "plans"; this publication is concerned with…

Librarians must find ways to meet the information needs of patrons with various disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act codified what librarians have long espoused: equal access to information for people with any type of disabling condition. This study's objective was to identify and examine current or planned programs dealing with staff…

This set of papers presented to the General Research Libraries Division of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) during its 47th annual conference (1981) includes: "The Effect of the Introduction of Computers on Library and Research Staff," by Gilbert Gude; "Libraries as Information Service Agencies…

The New Hampshire Long-Range Program (1992-1996) was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). It identifies the state's library needs and the actions to be taken toward meeting those needs. The program was developed to ensure that all persons in New Hampshire will have equal access to…

Provides suggestions for academic libraries to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Topics addressed are planning, including patron surveys; physical access to buildings; signage; library security systems; furniture; library services; staff development; telephone access; library acquisitions; and equipment and software. A sidebar lists…

A 1956 Office of Education study showed that 26 million rural residents were without any public library service and that more than 300 rural counties had no public library within their borders. An additional 50 million rural residents had only inadequate service. Congress passed the Library Services Act in 1956 to stimulate the further development…