The pervasive, personal crisis of intimate partner violence (IPV) demands community information resources in workforce, health care, mental health, public housing, criminal justice, and social service arenas. Although generally underutilized, public libraries have a pivotal role to play as the only public institution specifically structured to…

This paper examines the functions and services of public, academic, special, and school libraries; identifies similarities and differences that might exist among them; looks at basic functions and how they relate to the characteristics of the library's clientele; determines to what extent the services have been cost-effective; and explores…

Defines and explores the functions of institutional, clinical, and developmental bibliotherapy in library service programs as responses to the interest in self-analysis and self-actualization characteristic of the 1970s. Training and certification of bibliotherapy practitioners are also discussed. (FM)

The problems that have persistently plagued directors of oral history projects are (1) understanding the role the library plays as "publisher" and (2) justifying the expense of an oral history project. (Author)

The independent research libraries have diverse origins and have traveled many paths toward today's complex of library resources in this country. The motives for their founding are many, and their varying sizes belie the uniform significance of their collections to the national resource. (Author)

The unwritten policy of the Huntsville-Madison County (Alabama) Public Library for dealing with unattended children includes librarian involvement with the children, increased public awareness of the problem, and a priority on children's services. It is noted, however, that the library cannot serve as a day care operation. (MES)

The paper describes the attempts made in recent years to determine the essential functions of a national library. It considers these functions in relation to the recommendations of the Dainton Committee and the proposals in the White Paper on the British Library. (14 references) (Author/MM)

Some basic information on stimulating the arts in the community, and how to go about it, is presented. (Author)

Suggests materials and services Australian libraries should provide for the assistance of immigrants with limited English skills. (HTH)

Discusses 10 ways state libraries can help combat illiteracy: as planner, initiator/catalyst, trainer, coordinator, resource back-up, demonstrator, disseminator/publicizer, funder, supporter of good public education, and consultant. (Author/LLS)

Discusses the role of the prison library and the appropriateness of applying the public library model in prisons. Problems with staffing in prison libraries and deficiencies caused by a lack of statewide coordination are cited. Financial support, security, literacy programs, innovative services, and social responsibility are also considered. (25…

Discusses the importance of public library access to electronic networks such as the Internet and the National Education and Research Network (NREN). Topics addressed include the information role of the public library, public library contributions to networked information, connecting to the NREN, training, costs, and integrating public libraries…

Despite the media's fascination with the "literacy crisis," there is rarely any mention of the real cause of the problem: Lack of access to books for children of poverty. In this article, the author presents a compelling demonstration of what happens when librarians make sure children have access to interesting reading material: They read! And…

Under the auspices of the International Reading Association, an evaluation was conducted of Rural Education and Development (READ) program of creating community libraries in Nepal. READ set out to address the high rates of illiteracy and poverty in Nepal through the development of these libraries. To examine READ's approach, a team of…