This document suggests components for a sound disaster plan for libraries and archives. The planning process includes four steps which are covered in this manual: educating the staff about disaster preparedness literature; planning to prevent disasters; preparing to respond to an emergency and minimize its effects; and planning how to restore…

The Kent Free Library (Ohio) evolved from the Great Atlantic and Western Railroad Reading Room of 1875, into a municipal Carnegie library, and then grew to be a medium-sized public school district library, in the city of Kent, Ohio. Its original building has been enlarged through three separate expansion campaigns, in order to have space to house…

This article explores the unique features of zoo/aquarium libraries--their history, users, staff, collections and services, access, location, budget, networking and cooperation--and discusses problems they have in common with other special libraries. Increased cooperation and communication as major goals for the future are noted. (8 references)…

Profiles an education library which services a community of users including students of all ages, parents, classroom teachers, alumni, faculty, researchers, consultants, administrators, and professional staff. Institutional setting, history of the library, facility, collections, personnel, and programs are highlighted. (EJS)

Presents overview of common characteristics and problems of academic libraries in China which operate under rules issued from the central government in Beijing. Discussion covers building design, furniture and equipment, budgets and salaries, personnel management, collection development, library materials, use rate, effects of the Cultural…

Discusses the history of Finnish library work and the growing role of libraries; general features of Finnish public libraries (location, number of patrons, financing of libraries, personnel, acquisitions); organization of the libray system; and reformation of the state subsidy system and the public libraries act. (CT)

Reports on problems involved in staff workspace design--impact of environment on behavior, productivity, and job satisfaction--and relates issues to library workplace (level of staff, type and size of library). Herzberg Theory, Hawthorne Effect, and findings of Buffalo Organization for Social and Technological Innovation are highlighted. (15…

Examines liability issues for academic libraries=FE student workers. Discussion includes staff training; hiring practices; supervision; negligence; emergency procedures; the use of reasonable care; and knowledge of library rules. Specific nonlibrary liability cases are cited as examples of the importance of employee screening, training, and danger…

Describes the Danville Public Library's (Illinois) planning and implementation of a groundbreaking ceremony and provides guidelines for the process. Highlights include early planning, the planning staff, publicity, videotaping, selecting a convenient time, decorations, invitations, knowing individual responsibilities, commemorative items, and a…

Describes the role and activities of Susan Kent, City Librarian of Los Angeles, who was named librarian of the year by Library Journal. Discusses political aspects; improving and expanding Los Angeles Public Library branches; public and private funding; the staff and union issues; national and international organizations; and career influences.…

This fact book, compiled to fill the need of practicing librarians and researchers for recent data on public libraries, contains statistics concerning or relevant to the U.S. public library system. Data on all aspects of American public libraries are summarized from such sources as annual reports, journal articles, surveys, books, doctoral theses,…

Discusses the need for standards in education libraries and provides lists of criteria for standards in services, collection, personnel, facilities, budget, and administration and governance to be used as a starting point. A 12-item bibliography is included. (CHC)

This article presents results of a study to determine the role of the public library in serving young children. Recommendations from early childhood educators were obtained, and data were utilized to develop guidelines for public libraries. (Author/DB)

Describes the Teen Center at the Schaumburg Township District Library (Illinois) that was built with a sports theme. Highlights include the physical environment; the library collection, mainly recreational, that includes music CDs; the young adult population and community; hours of operation; staffing; youth participation and programs; and the…

Discusses the adaptation of existing buildings for public libraries in Kenya by the Kenya National Library Service. Topics include the role of the community; determining the suitability of adapted buildings from a library management perspective; and recommendations, including updating standards, increasing the number of professional librarians,…