Describes the value of defunct newspaper morgues, with a focus on the E. H. Butler Library at Buffalo State University (New York), and provides the historical background of two Buffalo newspapers. Discusses challenges facing the special collections librarian: storage facilities, requests for information by patrons from all over the world,…

In response to marketplace and organizational changes, Owens Corning Corporate Library developed a strategic plan to secure its function within the organization. Describes outsourcing transactional services, creating an Intranet/Internet tool for users, redefining the library as a knowledge resource center, and achieving team commitment. A sidebar…

These three reports discuss international library organization issues, including awards and grants, digital technology, and membership; and Canadian library issues, including federal information policy issues, library services, projected shortage of librarians, mergers, digital divide, and a history of the National Library of Canada. (LRW)

Describes a program developed for public libraries that uses registered therapy dogs and their handlers to improve the literacy skills of elementary school children by having the dogs listen while the children read aloud. Relates experiences at various libraries that have tried the program and discusses positive results that increase children's…

Describes the development and application of a structural equation model, which allows librarians to qualitatively measure library users' perceived quality, satisfaction, and loyalty with a library and the degree to which elements of library services, collections and environments contribute to perceptions. Reports results of a survey of users at…

Discusses how librarians in the new role of "informationist" can help doctors and researches of medical information. Describes existing models of the informationist; potential benefits of working across professional boundaries outside the library; professional requirements; and unresolved issues for the new role, including potential…

Eight articles in this section focus on sports: the baseball mystique and scholarly publishing; importance of archiving sporting activities; museums and libraries partner to make sport history live; online resources for sports information; Webliography of general sports sites; public libraries responding to changing needs; sports fiction; and…

Memorial Hall Library in Andover, Massachusetts wanted to offer live reference service online but with limited resources, they couldn't do it alone. The 24/7 Reference cooperative program administered by the California State Library required Memorial Hall's librarians to monitor only 10 hours a week in return for live reference coverage. Memorial…

This column identifies 10 World Wide Web sites for information pertaining to assistive technologies and services for persons with disabilities. Affiliated with the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE), this list is geared for librarians concerned with providing equal access and quality services to their patrons with disabilities.…

The Anchorage Library Information Network created the STAR (State of the Art Reference) group to deliver reference training to Alaskan librarians and information providers. Librarians were trained to run workshops that focused on acquiring communications skills through practice, coaching, and reinforcement on the job. Due to budget constraints,…

Argues that information professionals should market services to ensure success for their libraries. Describes marketing strategies used by the University of Kentucky College of Law Library to promote electronic library services: CD-ROM placement, CD-ROM and Internet workshops, instruction guides, faculty Web pages, online tours, electronic mail,…

Defines book display as an adult service as choosing and positioning adult books from the library collection to increase their circulation. The author contrasts bookstore arrangement for sales versus library arrangement for access, including contrasting missions, genre grouping, weeding, problems, and dimensions. (Author/LRW)

As costs of subscriptions to scholarly journals rise, libraries struggle to house their collections. Journal Storage (JSTOR) is building a reliable and comprehensive archive of important literature, filling the gaps in existing collections of backfiles, fostering preservation, increasing access, finding ways to reduce storage and care costs, and…

Examines issues related to CD-ROM services in libraries in developing countries, and focuses on planning, funding, hardware, software, database selection, installation, staff and user training, publicity, use policies and procedures, document non-availability, and evaluation. Recommends a partnership approach between library information systems,…

Librarians at Indiana University Northwest Library surveyed patrons on how to make the library's collection and services more accessible by improving signage. Examines the effectiveness of signage to instruct users, reduce difficulties and fears, ameliorate negative experiences, and contribute to a user-friendly environment. (AEF)