This paper discusses the status of library services and reading in Mali. Following an introductory section that provides miscellaneous data about Mali, the first section of the paper describes the development of libraries in Mali before the colonial period, during the colonial period, and during the independence period up to 1977. The libraries of…

The director of the Public Library of Nashville & Davidson County (Tennessee) discusses the library's development since 1995. Highlights include Nashville's growth potential and political climate; improving the efficiency of internal operations; staff involvement in problem-solving (technology training and systemwide programming);…

Includes nine articles that discuss cooperative library networking in Illinois. Highlights include library systems as cooperative agencies; PALI (Private Academic Libraries of Illinois); rural school and public library development; systemwide users; regional medical libraries; virtual libraries and the Coalition for Networked Information; a…

Library board members are an integral part of public libraries. Because of the importance of their role, this handbook gives library trustees in Oklahoma a basic understanding of their responsibilities and power. It contains useful information about developing policy, the board/director relationship, funding, intellectual freedom, library laws,…

This report outlines the long-range program of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) in South Carolina. The first of five chapters presents excerpts of the LSCA that describe its Titles I-III programs; explains the evolution of South Carolina's long-range Program for Library Development; discusses the dissemination of publications…

The 1991-1992 Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) program is presented in this report for the South Carolina State Library. The document includes fiscal information and project descriptions for the following LSCA Title I projects: (1) General Administration; (2) Library Interpretation; (3) General Operations; (4) Strengthening the State…

The 1990-1991 Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) program is presented in this report for the South Carolina State Library. The document includes fiscal information and project descriptions for the following LSCA Title I projects: (1) General Administration; (2) Library Interpretation; (3) General Operations; (4) Strengthening the State…

This report outlines the long-range program of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) in South Carolina. The first of five chapters presents excerpts of the LSCA that describe its Titles I-III programs; explains the evolution of South Carolina's long-range Program for Library Development; discusses the dissemination of publications…

Provides an approach to dealing with donations and special collections for public libraries serving all sizes of communities with varying levels of funding. Highlights include guidelines for when to accept special collections, how to identify areas of need in the library's collection, and a special collection proposal form. (EM)

Discusses the Hawaii State Public Library system decision to outsource library book selection to a vendor. Highlights include problems with the current contract, including lack of input from local librarians; and possible benefits of outsourcing, including the chance of having an outsourced baseline collection with discretionary funds for local…

Facing a major budget crunch, the Hawaii State Public Library System awarded a five and one half-year, $11.2 million contract to a vendor (Baker & Taylor) for collection development. Hawaii librarians argue that outsourcing sacrifices local expertise and a central part of their professional identity. Discusses the controversy from opposing…

Discusses results of interviews at Canadian public libraries that were conducted to determine who users thought were responsible for collection development. Concludes that librarian's work is misunderstood because of its hidden nature and suggests implications for the image of librarians, recruitment, and staffing and funding of libraries.…

Discussion of media in public libraries focuses on independent films and alternative video. Topics addressed include commercial films; film adaptations of novels; instructional films; material selection; cataloging; video technology; and a project in Indiana that tried to encourage public librarians to collect alternative videos. (LRW)

Sailor, Maryland's public information network, has become a national model for public libraries and states planning telecommunications networks and library systems integration. This article summarizes the design and implementation of the network's Internet resource collection development, highlighting the database committee, editorial board,…

California's public libraries face a decade of challenges, a decade in which the majority of Californians will become regular and adept users of electronic information resources, the majority of Californians will have many and varied ethnic backgrounds, a growing proportion of young people will live in homes where English is not the primary…