Examines issues related to selection and censorship in five public libraries in Southern California in order to document public librarians' selection practices and to determine whether library policy and procedure assist librarians when confronted with challenges from the community. Explores issues of self-censorship in selection and community…

Provides a case study of the acquisitions processes that were necessary when Cardiff University's School of Engineering made a decision to subscribe to electronic-only versions of journals where such subscriptions were less expensive than the print equivalent. In doing so, addresses issues of electronic subscriptions management in UK academic…

The Urban Libraries Council's (ULC) Fast Facts Surveys are not intended to be scientific studies of the library community; rather, they are "snapshots" on topics of current interest. The topic of this survey is fees for library services. A total of 64 surveys were mailed to 1993 ULC member libraries in February 1993; 49 surveys were…

This document reports the results of the first comprehensive analysis of the effects of Federal funds on public library services in the United States. Using a case-study approach, a team studied Federally funded public-library projects in 11 states, interviewing State library agency and local public library personnel in each state. The results of…

This paper examines the topic of policy analysis and draws upon the recently developed Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Management Review and Analysis Program which is a guide to conducting a self-study of an academic library's management and organization. The program was designed by the Management Studies Office and is presently being…

The behavior problems arising from an open library" policy at an elementary school are explored via an exchange of letters between the librarian and a psychologist. (NH)

Discusses charging users for public library services, library costs, and the financial structures that influence public library policy. (CHC)

Addresses investigations of library employees' complaints of sexual harassment which could be modified for use with a patron complaint. The employer's interests in conducting an adequate and swift investigation are discussed, and the importance of maintaining confidentiality is stressed. (LRW)

Uses national guidelines, collection development texts, and the intellectual freedom literature to assess the practical value of the Library Bill of Rights in school library settings. Discussion focuses on invoking the statement as support when dealing with challenges to the collection. Appendixes include the Library Bill of Rights itself and…

For as long as libraries have charged fines for books returned after their due dates, this familiar practice has excited comment and controversy. Fines are thought by many to deter patrons from keeping materials too long. However, others believe there is little persuasive evidence that fines are more effective at minimizing overdues than are…

Both general and miscellaneous policy statements from 47 public libraries of the Pacific Northwest Library Association have been compiled in this manual. Among topics covered by "general" policies are board of trustees, buildings, confidentiality of circulation records, displays, gifts, materials selection, personnel, public relations, and…

Describes public library policies and restrictions on children's library usage, which may include requirements such as name-writing performance tests or enrollment in first grade to qualify for a library card. Such policies are criticized as discriminatory. (MES)

Arguments for and against library service fees for users are presented, and models for setting such fees are illustrated in terms of profit maximization and maximization of user benefits. (FM)

Conflict management theory is illustrated in a series of hypothetical scenarios, typical of library situations. Each scenario is discussed in terms of a specific management theory and the theories are transposed into useful management tools by plotting each situation along relevant axes. (Author/AEF)

Report on the 1992 American Library Association (ALA) conference discusses featured speakers, political actions of the ALA Council, guidelines on patron behavior, the resignation of ALA Executive Director Linda Crismond, and conference exhibits. Excerpts from an address by new ALA president Marilyn Miller on empowering people through libraries are…