A survey was conducted in January 1997 to determine security issues of Ohio public libraries. The survey was distributed to 100 libraries of differing sizes with a 70% completion rate. The following questions were asked: (1) Do you believe that security is a problem at your library? (2) Do you believe that mutilation of periodicals is a problem at…

Discusses policies and attitudes prevalent in public libraries that encourage female users and discourage male users. The lack of technical books that may appeal more to men is examined, the lack of appropriate reviews is described, subconscious classism is suggested, and differences in fiction preferences are discussed. (two references) (LRW)

Argues that librarians should respond to the growing demand for medical information by expanding their role. The development of medical information reference, issues of accountability, legal responsibility, and user characteristics are discussed. Seven steps toward accountability, including in-depth reference interviewing, referral, training, and…

Addresses the issue of student access to inappropriate materials on the Internet. Topics discussed include school library policies; the role of parents; public library concerns; access to information; and a sample technical code of conduct for high schools. (seven references) (LRW)

Explains how the Monroe County Library System (NY) adapted their library to help the greatest number of disabled people use their library with the greatest ease and at a reasonable cost. Highlights include focus groups with disabled patrons; appropriate adaptive devices; policy recommendations for computer use; and staff training. (LRW)

Traditionally, archivists have been involved mainly in the intellectual preservation of library materials and the selection, appraisal, processing, and cataloging of library collections. Due to the relatively short (approximately 50 years) stability of the paper commonly used for printed and written documents since the mid-nineteenth century, the…

Five of the six papers in this collection focus on public library services, collection development problems, and involvement in literacy campaigns in developing countries; the sixth paper is concerned with public library services in Norway. (1) In "Big Cities, Its Inhabitants and Public Libraries Systems," May Brooking Negrao examines…

Describes a survey which answers the questions of who challenged what, why, and with what results in the school and public libraries of Manitoba from 1982-1984. Library censorship policies, how often they are followed, the response of the news media, and the difference between selection and censorship are discussed. (EM)

This handbook was designed to help Wisconsin Public Library trustees organize their thoughts, deliberations, and actions. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) Effective Public Library Trustees and Boards; (2) Planning for Effective Action by the Public Library Board; and (3) Appendixes. The purpose of the first section is to place in…

Intended to be a practical guide to the issues that arise under the First Amendment for libraries that provide public access to the Internet, this book contains the following chapters: (1) "Questions and Answers about the First Amendment: Sex, Lies, and Cyberspace"; (2) "Basic First Amendment Principles and Their Application to…

Local history/genealogy collections are found in approximately 60% of Ohio public libraries. These collections range from fully established large collections to those in the process of being organized. A survey was made of 140 of these public libraries to determine how the collections are utilized. Areas such as organization, management, policies…

Specialized library collections and services are often not geared toward Indian nationals in Canada. Public libraries should serve ethnic minorities by providing staff with language abilities and sharing materials through interlibrary loan. Appendixes include a geographic overview of Canadian public library acts, sample initiatives for…

Discussion of intellectual freedom, access to information, and public library administration focuses on three main areas: (1) access to minors; (2) access to library services by the poor, including library card registration policies that require a permanent address; and (3) charging fines and fees. Information equality and access to Internet are…

The library is a relatively safe work place, but no place is completely free from hazards. This paper examines the major health and safety concerns of staff and patrons of academic and public libraries, based on a literature review of approximately 60 articles. According to this literature, general safety hazards are not considered a major problem…

With the intention that Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds provide for the continual improvement and enhancement of all library and information services in Georgia, this five-year plan addresses the LSTA law by establishing major statewide priorities and supporting goals and activities/objectives that reflect the purposes and…