Describes the MALMAD (Israel Center for Digital Information Services) consortium that was set up by the eight universities of Israel to serve as a common framework for the procurement and licensing of digital information. Discusses the organizational framework, budget, services, and future plans. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the impact of Australia's geographic isolation focuses on four linked strategies being implemented to position New South Wales public libraries for success in the emerging information economy. Highlights include promoting Internet access; creating client-focused content and services; developing strategic partnerships; and renewing a…

Describes the street libraries program of the Fourth World Movement, which has been bringing books to children in neighborhoods in New York City, Boston, and New Orleans for more than 15 years. Recently, the program has added computers to their community programs. (SLD)

Discusses associations between levels of service point use, population information and library inputs, based on data from two London boroughs in respect of individual static service points. Outlines methods of deriving catchment area data using membership information or postcode data from a user survey. Describes a method for librarians seeking to…

Describes a workshop program developed at the California State University Sacramento to familiarize faculty with the library's electronic resources. The broad subject areas targeted were business, humanities, social sciences, and science and technology. Training covered the online catalog, article indexes, and databases. Evaluations of the…

Suggests that one of the best ways to get word-of-mouth marketing of library technology is to provide "usable" products and services. Provides an international standards definition on usability and notes that understanding usability combines an understanding of user needs/wants with an understanding of goals, functions, and limitations…

Articulates a rationale for seeking improved librarian-faculty relations based on a comprehensive literature review, and explores methods for evaluating the quality of librarian-faculty relations. Highlights include ways to involve faculty in library programs, involving librarians in classroom activities, increasing faculty awareness of library…

Discusses results of a national survey that was designed to describe the current consumer market for public library services and Internet services. Investigated the reasons they used each service, the decision criteria used when choosing one provider over the other, and how they evaluated the performance of each. (LRW)

Discussion of library users who seek information for others focuses on a study of public library adult reference desks that identifies the relationships between agents and imposers that motivate reference desk use and describes agent users in terms of their self-reported education levels and frequency of library and reference desk use. (Author/LRW)

Considers the challenges facing public libraries in meeting the current needs of its users while still delivering traditional information and recreational services. Topics include keeping up with technological trends; recruitment, staffing, and continuing education; the role as community center; and creating effective marketing strategies. (LRW)

Explains the importance of grants to libraries and describes the evolution of a grant in Washington State that was written to develop and fund early childhood programs. Discusses the role of public and tribal libraries; training for library staff; steering committee; statewide partnerships; community partnerships; and planning workshops. (LRW)

Discussion of the use of libraries and online library resources in college distance learning focuses on two methods for libraries to provide good service: Web portals, or gateways, that provide access to selected resources; and online courseware to provide distance library courses. (LRW)

Highlights some of the excuses library trustees give for not doing advocacy. Presents points to keep in mind when planning and conducting advocacy programs, including: long-term goals, short-term goals, and follow-up activities. Sidebars include a "Trustee Association Health Quiz" and quotes from the field about advocacy. (AEF)

With the current focus on writing across the curriculum and the emphasis on schoolwide writing programs, perhaps library media specialists should consider adding writing instruction to the learning that takes place in the library media center. The teaching of writing should be a natural extension of the teaching of information literacy. Both…

Providing time and guidance to students as they "sift and sort" background information on a potential inquiry topic is important at any level of investigation, from grade school to graduate school. As the inquiring student moves through new information, discusses ideas with teachers and peers and, most of all, has time to reflect on the initial…