America is facing what many have called the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, with one in ten Americans unemployed. It's no surprise, then, that the 2010 book-buying survey of public libraries is on the dark side. Representing some 100 institutions nationwide distributed equitably by size, type, and location, "LJ"'s annual survey…

In August 2010, "Wired" magazine declared, "The Web is Dead. Long Live the Internet." Citing the rise of IPad & Smartphone sales and the rapid explosion of application-based software to run various programs on multiple computing devices--but especially mobile computing devices--people spend more hours than ever connected to or "on" the Internet…

The "New South Wales Learning 2.0" training program is being made available to the entire NSW public library work force of over 2300 people in 2008-2009. This paper is a snapshot of the impact of the course as at September 2008, five months after it was launched. It explores how the training impacted on the staff skill levels, knowledge,…

Libraries have been around for thousands of years. Many of them are considered great because of their magnificent architecture or because of the size of their collections. This paper offers ten case studies of libraries that have used technology to achieve greatness. Because almost any library can implement technology, a library does not have to…

One issue that public librarians must consider when planning Web site design is accessibility for patrons with disabilities. This article reports a study of Web site accessibility of public libraries in Georgia. The focus of the report is whether public libraries use accessible guidelines and standards in making their Web sites accessible. An…

This article presents two recent studies, an AHRC-funded exploration of the role of empathy in community librarianship (Study 1) and an investigation of the role of empathy in service to minority ethnic users (Study 2). Qualitative elements of each methodology are presented, namely a series of focus groups with frontline staff, interviews with…

This research set out to explore the attitudes of school, academic and public librarians towards marketing libraries. The main question that was examined is whether personality characteristics such as empowerment, extroversion and resistance to change influence librarians' attitudes towards the marketing of libraries. One hundred and fifty-six…

Characteristics of selected public libraries into which adult literacy programs have become integrated are reported. Data are drawn from visits to five library literacy programs, telephone interviews with officials of 20 selected library literacy programs, and data submitted in the nominations of 68 programs from 22 states. Part 1 describes the…

Discusses the findings of a national survey of public libraries that focused on service to older adults. Areas discussed include services most frequently provided, services to the institutionalized, the impact of ageism on library policies, and the extent of cooperation with other agencies. (18 references) (CLB)

A survey of 104 Florida public library administrators resulted in a 70% response rate to a questionnaire investigating the value of a variety of types of activities associated with professional development. Presented as a poster session, this report indicates that the following professional and continuing education activities were considered the…

Provides background information and copies a report by Marlys Cresap and Marilyn Nickelsburg on a statewide conference of children's librarians. Highlights include a survey of children's services in Iowa libraries and presentations on the history and philosophy of children's services (Margaret Bush) and the role of children's librarians (Barbara…

This directory is intended to serve as an information resource for libraries that may be contemplating card catalog closing by providing a list of 607 U.S. and Canadian libraries that have closed their old card catalog files. The report includes reference information for 286 academic libraries, 235 public libraries, 11 school libraries, and 75…

The American Library Association's (ALA) Adult Services in the Eighties (ASE) project was undertaken to supply information about areas of current and unique concentration to aid librarians in identifying, describing, and planning the scope of adult services in their own libraries. The ASE project updates a study conducted in 1954--the most recent…

Describes a survey which answers the questions of who challenged what, why, and with what results in the school and public libraries of Manitoba from 1982-1984. Library censorship policies, how often they are followed, the response of the news media, and the difference between selection and censorship are discussed. (EM)

Reports results of a survey of library patrons which investigated: (1) reasons patrons choose the public library for popular nonprint materials; (2) whether patrons using the library for nonprint materials tend to use print materials during their visits; and (3) how use of nonprint materials affects patrons' perceptions of their libraries. (MES)