Discusses the dimensions of the illiteracy problem among adults in the United States and suggests the role libraries and librarians could play in resolving it. (JD)

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)

While libraries have the basic responsibility of collecting, documenting, and organizing information, they also have a bigger responsibility to societal elements of public policy, political theory, social trends, and cultural values. This article introduces the theme of this issue, which discusses libraries and society in relation to these bigger…

Outlines the history of censorship and intellectual and expressive freedom in American libraries; discusses the two main types of ethical theory, utilitarianism and deontology; and maintains that libraries have a special role to play in promoting unconditional intellectual freedom. (Author/LRW)

In these days of increased testing and continued failure of inner-city and poor rural schools to meet the grade, it is becoming more and more necessary to turn to the public library to help students reach the ever-increasing goals being set for them. It seems somewhat unfair to hold the schools solely responsible for continued failure when the…

Content analysis of regional accrediting organizations Web-based resources reveals support for information literacy as an important student learning outcome and encouragement of partnerships between librarians and faculty in instruction and assessment. This study offers librarians, faculty, and administrators insight into how the library can…

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…

The management of information in the business world constitutes a single consolidated area within undergraduate and graduate study programs in Librarianship and Information Science. This article describes information studies for the business sector within Spain, including the university programs known as Diplomatura in Librarianship 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…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is committed to bringing together museums and libraries across the country for conversations dedicated to developing a better understanding of the roles of libraries and museums as providers of public service to communities. The Future of Libraries and Museums in the 21st Century Planning…

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 intention of this essay is to serve as a guide to the literature treating the historical development of the American public library. It also provides a selective analysis of the literature dealing with the role of the public library. An extensive selected bibliography is included along with an appendix which is a short critical essay on the…

At Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the library-college concept is proving to be a decisive factor in shaping new methods of teaching. (Author)

The president of Sangamon State University (SSU) discusses the role of libraries in teaching and the strategies at the university to place the library at the center of the academic community. (JPF)

Traces literacy and library developments throughout the USSR; the focus is on publications in the various languages of the USSR, and on the role of the libraries in the dissemination of such materials. (Author)