Provides an introduction to this issue focusing on the 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services and summarizes five articles which cover topics relating to library and information services for children and young adults. (MES)

Describes the renovation of the library at Walnut Hill School for the Arts (Natick, Massachusetts). Topics discussed include initial planning; packing up the collection for storage; dealing with construction delays while maintaining some library service; moving into the new space; student and teacher reactions; and the effects on library use. (LRW)

Discusses ways in which academic libraries are responding to rising costs of serials. Topics addressed include pricing by publishers; the effect of journal cancellations on research activities; interlibrary loans and document delivery services; coordinated cancelling; electronic journals; and experiences at the University of Arizona. (LRW)

Considers the impact of electronic information on libraries. Topics discussed include user needs; the accuracy and reliability of information; equity of access to information; cooperation and coordination; prospects of a paperless society; and integrating technology with other elements of information, rather than replacing all elements with…

Discusses four major conflict areas in contemporary librarianship: service versus teaching, resource allocation, the extent of professional autonomy, and the allocation of duties and responsibilities between professionals and support staff. Topics addressed include conflict as a normal part of organizational life and creative responses to…

Examines the history of reference services; discusses present trends in reference services; and considers possible future model shifts that will be influenced by the continuing explosion of information technology, the need for high level skills, the need for building partnerships, and the need to clarify reference service philosophies. (Contains…

Discussion of faculty status for academic librarians focuses on the reasons for and the impact of recent library school closings. Topics addressed include professional identity; the service functions of librarians versus teaching, research, and publication requirements of traditional tenure; accountability to the larger institution; and staffing…

In university libraries, reference librarians often get ambiguous questions to which they try to give appropriate answers. Because of limitations on resources, time, and mental capability for information processing, the decision-making process involved in answering reference questions becomes bounded by the rationality of these constraints.…

Surveys the history of Indian immigration to the United States and the development of Indian collections in academic, public, and special libraries. Library services to Indian populations are discussed, with descriptions of specific collections, and suggestions are given to improve services and collections. (SLD)

Discusses academic and public libraries that expand the range and type of their services via fee-based information services and private information businesses that charge fees. Questions of billing the total cost to the patron versus part of the cost are considered; and the impact of such fees on library cooperation and networks is described. (six…

Although the World Bank provides loans primarily for economic development in developing countries, many of its loans include provision for project-related information transfer. Because the Bank is likely to become increasingly involved in lending for information activities, it must determine whether or to what extent there is a need for greater or…

Reviews and describes the current crisis in science literacy and formulates an information-based definition of the term. Library issues and concerns are discussed, including the role of librarians in defining the information-seeking behavior of science-literate users, describing users' characteristics, and evaluating and applying appropriate…

Describes a program developed at the San Francisco Public Library to allow homeless residents to apply for library cards, and discusses concerns that had to be addressed, including loss or damage of materials, overdue materials, residency requirements, and state and local funding requirements. Cooperation with public and private service providers…

Description of community online systems focuses on a Freenet in Illinois called P.A.T.H. (Public Access to Heartland). Highlights include patron use; discussion groups and bulletin boards; electronic mail; reference questions; Freenet's place in public libraries; and sample reference questions answered by Freenet information providers. (five…

Reviews recent resources for assessing school library media programs and discusses the importance of program assessment. Circulation statistics and personal approaches to assessment are described, and the findings of three research reports on the effectiveness of school library media programs are discussed. (KRN)