Examines what differences libraries and librarians make, primarily from the perspective of geographical communities. States reasons why this is an essential research issue and describes contributions of current public library planning tools to the determination of impact. Examines the framework that is essential for the intellectual development of…

Examines four significant unanswered questions related to children's and young adult services in public libraries. After reviewing the existing knowledge base that can serve as scaffolding for the needed research, the author suggests strategies for refining and implementing this research agenda. (Contains 62 references.) (Author/AEF)

Describes attempts to develop library services in the island republic of Kiribati (the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line islands). The development of rural library service in conjunction with school libraries is discussed, a postal library service is described, the establishment of village libraries is discussed, and constraints that have inhibited…

Investigates the government policies in India, especially the five-year plans regarding finance, since its independence in 1947 and their impact on the establishment of the public library system. Highlights include model library systems, library development, national libraries, information services, and adult education and public libraries.…

Discusses recent developments in extending library services into provincial centers and rural areas in the Solomon Islands. Topics addressed include background on library development in the Solomon Islands, the establishment of the National Library Service, links to government policy, rural library history and development, provincial libraries,…

In the basement of the Waupaca Area Public Library, the Best Cellar is a separate room for young adults that allows teens the freedom to laugh, talk, snack, and listen to music without disturbing others. The furniture, collection, young adult population and community, hours of operation, staffing, planning, youth participation, and librarian and…

Summarizes the Richmond Public Library's (RPL's) experiences in development and provision of technology-based services. Describes RPL's approaches to technology-based services, including training, communicating benefits to the community, creating a community-based Web site and marketing. Explains benefits of Internet-based services to patrons,…

The Florida Library History Project (FLHP) began in January 1998. Letters requesting histories were sent to all public libraries in Florida with follow-up letters sent after an initial response was received from the libraries. E-mail messages were sent out to FL-LIB listservs encouraging participation in the project. A poster session was presented…

This data file contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for Fiscal Year 2003. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies Survey, a voluntary survey conducted annually by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Data were collected on state library agency identification,…

The objectives of the Alabama Public Library Service are to: provide library services to the citizens directly or through local libraries; provide library services for those with special needs through the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; provide library services to employees of the State of Alabama to meet their…

Controversy is the current state of opinion among librarians and others about the future of libraries. The proponents of the electronic library say that now that information is readily available from sources other than the library, the role of the library must be rethought. Some of the advocates of the electronic library see the elimination of the…

This book represents the thoughts and experiences of librarians and academics on the changing role of libraries in a global networked community. The first section of the book looks at the agendas for national libraries in a digital world. Issues covered include content and delivery, national policy and practice and strategies for success in a…

This paper suggests that by 2004, the traditional public libraries will have ceased to exist and new, attractive future libraries will have taken their place. The Libraries 2040 project of the Netherlands is initiating seven different libraries of the future. The Brabant library is the "ultimate library of the future" for the Dutch…

The number of elderly people in Denmark continues to grow, which means there is an increasing need for special library services to those elderly who are not able to come to the library because of physical or mental limitations. This paper uses the practices of Sollerod Public Libraries (Sollerod, Denmark) to frame the discussion of the following:…

This document consists of 12 consecutive issues of the monthly "Centennial State Libraries" newsletter, of the Colorado Department of Education State Library and Adult Education Office. The issues cover the year 1999. Each issue--except the August issue which is an Annual Report--includes some or all of the following sections: current…