Three British public libraries offer open learning services that have expanded their outlook on outreach. There remains a need for links with other education and training providers, a coordinated publicity campaign, and work with community groups. (SK)

Describes the procedures developed at the Los Angeles Public Library to offer age-appropriate and user-friendly electronic resources to children and teenagers via the Internet. Discusses filters and dedicated terminals; and describes appropriate Web sites and search engines for parents, children, and adolescents. (LRW)

Contains 67 annotated references in the following categories: lifelong learning policy--international perspectives, lifelong learning policy--national perspectives, and lifelong learning and library services/role. (SK)

Identifies and describes trends in public libraries for 24 selected variables, including library collections, services, operating income and expenditures, and staffing. Data are from the National Center for Education Statistics Public Libraries Survey. (Author/SLD)

Discusses comments made in a previous column relating to reference librarians and online reference services. Topics include the inaccuracy of traditional reference services; the alleged decline in library reference activity; misunderstanding reference librarians; and perceiving Ask Jeeves as a useful alternative model to reference services. (LRW)

A school library media specialist cannot be the lone proponent of the library media program. Other voices--parents, coworkers, and students--must all play their respective roles in communicating the value of a great school library media center. This column provides suggestions on ways to improve the services offered by the media program to these…

At the end of each school year there are discussions on all the international teacher-librarians' lists about whether there is a need for inventory or, as the Australians call it, "stocktake"; whether it is reasonable for us to request resources be returned before the last day of school; and whether the library should be closed to allow…

This article describes one librarian's exploration of technostress through research. It focuses on the similarities between librarians and technostress ten years ago and today. The article is divided into the following sections: Technostress Background; The Thesis and Survey; Technostress Today; and Recommendations for Relief. The article…

This article offers five ideas librarians should review every now and then to make sure the right services are being offered in the most effective manner to the people they serve. These five exercises or ideas may not be completely easy but neither are they difficult or expensive. However, they will guarantee an increased awareness of, and…

In this brief article, the author discusses that teacher-librarians must continually balance the curricular needs of our collection with the needs of each child. Perhaps the needs are now more in other areas: psychological, social, religious and ethnic. Whatever the need, it is the teacher-librarians responsibility to look at their students and…

There are many chasms in the library profession: among different libraries and between public services and technology staff, users and librarians, and research and practice. Susan Gibbons bridges all of them. As director of digital library initiatives at the University of Rochester River Campus Libraries, Gibbons was an early adopter of MIT's…

This article focuses on nonfiction titles appropriate for mid-sized public libraries, with a special emphasis on bisexuality, transgender identities, race, disability, class, age, and other issues often marginalized in both mainstream and GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) culture in America. Some colleagues, at San Francisco Public…

Audiobooks have become a mainstay of the classroom for many teachers. Studies have demonstrated that they are not only effective tools for helping all children become more literate, but they also provide an enjoyable and simple way to introduce children to books they might not otherwise read. Audiobooks have also proven to be effective when…

According to a November 2004 Pew Internet and American Life Project survey, "87% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 are online...and half of them say they go online every day" ("Teens Forge" 1). They prefer the Internet to traditional libraries because they consider the Internet to be easier to use, more convenient, open 24/7, and full of more…

As a former elementary library media specialist now in a new middle school library media center, it was frustrating for the author to not have enough time to assist students and discouraging to see the apathy that so many of the students displayed toward books and reading. Middle schoolers are busy with social activities, sports, and schoolwork.…