A brief rundown on the accomplishments of the copyright subcommittee, the Machine-Assisted Reference Section, the History Section, the publications committees, membership survey, and planning group. (JAB)

Fiscal austerity in libraries has forced some administrators to consider alternatives such as computerized reference services or non-professional staff at the reference desk for reducing the cost of professional reference service. (JAB)

A discussion of the reference desk as a piece of furniture, and how its design affects the reference process. (JAB)

The article describes the conception and the doubts surrounding this new library, and reports upon the achievements of the first year after it opened in February 1977. The users, facilities, and services are discussed briefly. (Author/JAB)

Reflections on the state of elementary school media programs are based on applications for the 1977 School Library Media Program of the Year award. Programs nominated for this award and their outstanding features are included. (Author/MBR)

The purposes of toy libraries and their activities are discussed, and the Toy Libraries Association, which was founded in 1967, is described. (MBR)

The author presents the reference process as viewed by several published reference interview authorities. Emphasis is on personality and communication skills rather than technical expertise. (JAB)

The article discusses the history of copyright laws, the directions which copyright revision can take, and the rationale behind revision. Regulations for protecting various media such as sound recordings, performances, and cable television are discussed. (JAB)

The United Kingdom has established an Adult Literacy Resource Agency and a three-year television and radio adult literacy project. Public libraries are involved in these projects and provide special services for adult student-readers. (Author/KP)

The document entitled "A Commitment to Information Services," prepared over a period of two years by the Standards Committee of the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association, and now formally adopted by the Division Executive Board, is a better disappointment. (Author)

The independent research libraries have diverse origins and have traveled many paths toward today's complex of library resources in this country. The motives for their founding are many, and their varying sizes belie the uniform significance of their collections to the national resource. (Author)

Visual production activities in school libraries are being neglected. Suggestions for encouraging students to produce photograms are given. (Author/AP)

Outlines the history of cassette tape, indicates improvements, and discusses advantages for use in interlibrary loan services. (KP)

Discusses the issue of library community service in satisfying the reading needs of preschool children in relation to the Bullock report. (KP)

This report of the American Library Association's 1987 conference in San Francisco summarizes meetings on: local area networks, personal liability of library trustees, librarian shortages, AIDS education, CD-ROM technology, literacy, Black librarians and the political process, and restriction of young adult literature. Exhibit highlights are also…