Reports the results of 23 referenda on funding public library capital campaigns. The location of each referendum, the pass/fail rate by season, and data summarizing referenda over the past six years are provided. Two sidebars cover the failed referendum in Westerville (Ohio) and the successful referendum in Saratoga Springs (New York). (KRN)

Video news releases, prepared on campus, can be effective in gaining public relations access to television news. Each institution must determine whether it is a cost effective and appropriate strategy, then prepare thoroughly and tailor its efforts to the requirements of the medium. (MSE)

On a systemwide level, spin control means defining the issues and formulating an agenda for addressing them. On a personal level, school executives should develop a communications style that stresses honesty, updated information for everyone, wise choice of issues, appropriate responses to criticism, openness to expert advice, willingness to share…

Reporting on university scientific research is best accomplished by keeping things simple and lively: getting the story straight; giving it a structure, detail, and appropriate tone; polishing the prose with consistent use of personification, metaphor, and simile; and avoiding unnecessary use of jargon. (MSE)

Key findings of an evaluation of the Education Information Centers (EICs) project were that (1) many EICs have affected patrons lives; (2) libraries have improved career collections, attracted new patrons, and become viewed as community resources; (3) library staff have developed better ways to ascertain information needs; and (4) new agency…

Argues that for public relations to achieve professional status it should (1) be a communication discipline; (2) avoid artificial distinctions between information and persuasion; (3) encompass a wide array of auxiliary disciplines; (4) advance core research and theory by isolating and empirically testing a limited number of functions; and (5)…

Although communicating with news media is important, direct, personal discussion should be the foundation of school board members' communication efforts. Other forms are supplementary. Advice is given on dealing with anger and criticism, arguing strategically, and developing conversational logic. A sidebar offers tips for dealing with the press.…

Colleges' innovative efforts to bring alumni to campus for reunions illustrate how effective provocative promotions can be. Ideas include a game theme in brochures (Lewis and Clark College, Oregon), distribution of a 40-minute video (Gilman School, Maryland), class-targeted brochures (American University, District of Columbia), and a four-mailing…

Surveys 258 public-relations educators and practitioners, finding they agree that public-relations education is on track; that systematic assessment is an important feature of public-relations education; and that they agreed on how public-relations education should be structured, and demonstrated a high degree of similarity in their preferences…

Documents the rise and fall of public relations in public-administration education through a content analysis of textbooks. Notes some early signs of renewed attention. Suggests reestablishing public relations as a valuable part of contemporary public-administration education. (RS)

Surveys public relations educators nationwide. Finds (1) little consensus about professional standards in public relations among educators and practitioners; and (2) both educators and practitioners held their peers in comparatively low esteem. Offers 10 recommendations to reorient and reemphasize the content of courses. (RS)

Describes the fundraising efforts of the Torrey Pines High School (California) library through the formation of a Friends of the Library group. Discusses how to form a nonprofit corporation, making the purchase of new books a priority, increasing the library's visibility, and ideas for fundraising events. (LRW)

Notes that journalism teachers spend so much time finding news that often they forget that what they are doing is news. Addresses the value of public relations, thinking like a reporter, working with other media, being a source, and showing pride. Considers how parents who are aware of a successful journalism program are more willing to support…

As shown by their treatment of incidents involving kissing, aspirins, and Ebonics, the media are adept at spotlighting the unseemly, the negative, and the absurdities occurring in a public education system comprising 100,000 schools. Such negative reinforcement stymies public support for schools. When covering the Third International Mathematics…

Discusses the importance to scholastic publications staffs of four public relations strategies: meticulous research, systematic planning, strengthening communication efforts, and evaluation. Notes internal and external factors crucial to good public relations. Lists activities to consider. (SR)