This issue of "The Bookmark" contains 23 essays examining the challenges facing public library trustees and changing community needs. Topics considered include: the role of the trustee, fund raising, lobbying and the legislative process, library building programs, library automation, literacy, intellectual freedom, information access, preschool…

This study examined the selflearning and educational patterns of selected respondents in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania who have used library resources on a continuing basis. The content of learning projects emerged from real-life negotiations and ranged across the transactional environment. Episodes--consulting people, reading, browsing,…

Major trends in library technology and technology in general, as indicated by information gathered through internal development work at the Dallas Public Library, professional readings, and interviews with experts, are discussed. Trends covered are: (1) internal library services focusing on a total systems approach to library automation; (2)…

An interview with Dr. Lewis Mayhew of Stanford University. (Author)

Intended to aid fellow department chairpersons in developing adequate library resources and to suggest ways of motivating departments in their use, this paper proffers suggestions based on the author's experience as a librarian and academic department chairman. It is suggested that (1) guidelines established by the library profession and…

The L.I.F.E. (Learning Is for Everyone) project conducted by the Altoona Public Library from September 1975 to June 1977 sought to increase library services for the mentally handicapped of all ages. The L.I.F.E. collection of instructional materials includes toys, games, puzzles, books, magazines, records, multimedia kits, films, and conventional…

In an effort to underscore the importance of the book and written word, Public Law 95-129 was signed by President Carter in 1977 establishing the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. This pamphlet reports on the progress made in the first year of planning during four meetings directed at potential activities, the international flow of…

This collection of 15 essays, reports, and notes written by staff members of the Royal Institute of Technology Library (RITL) addresses various aspects of modern librarianship, and outlines some of the RITL contributions to the field. Designed to present a composite picture of the various activities of RITL since about mid-1973, these essays…

Citing the American Library Association's 1964 statement of libraries' responsibilities to the aging, this paper presents a needs assessment of the elderly and suggests methods by which public libraries can attempt to meet some of these needs, e.g., barrier-free design, programs, materials, and services. The needs assessment of older users…

Charged with the responsibility of determining the best way to plan for solar technology information transfer within the state of Texas, participants in the Planning Conference for Solar Technology Information Transfer met to discuss the many ongoing activities related to energy information dissemination, to analyze the resources available in…

The histories of two national libraries, the British Museum Library and the Library of Congress, are examined with respect to the development of each of three functions: (1) the acquisition and maintenance of a comprehensive collection of the country's publications, usually by copyright deposit; (2) the maintenance of basic research collections in…

The potential for computers in indexing popular fiction study materials is discussed, and specific examples of comic book indexing are provided through descriptions of projects and a bibliography. The 4-stage evolutionary development of popular fiction studies includes: (1) discovery and reading; (2) bibliography and collecting; (3) cataloging and…

This selective review of the Library of Congress (LC) prepared by the Advisory Group on Libraries in 1976 makes recommendations from the perspective of the library community. It emphasizes the general educational and cultural role of the LC, stressing the importance of making the public aware of LC services to expose the concept of the LC as…

The growth of libraries and of technical education in the middle of the 19th century led to the organization of Melvil Dewey's School of Library Economy in 1887. The School offered a technical course to replace the apprenticeships then in favor. Its curriculum persisted as the model for library education through 1920. A break with the early form…

The prime function of a special library is the correlation of all aspects of patron needs, coupled with extensive knowledge of the parent organization. Business librarians should be alert to their role as facilitators, and routing sheets are an example of internally generated information distribution. Feedback from employees can also provide the…