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This chronology highlights milestones for libraries and adult lifelong learning and literacy from 1924-2001, including the following events: William S. Learned's "The American Public Library and the Diffusion of Knowledge" is published (1924); establishment of the ALA (American Library Association) Adult Education Section (1946); the "Great Issues" program adult discussion group launched at ALA (1948); funding of the America Heritage Project (1951); funding of the ALA Office of Adult Education (1952); the ALA Adult Services Division (ASD) established (1957); the Adult Education Act (1966); adoption of the "Library Rights of Adults" (1970); merger of ASD and RSD (Reference Services Division) (1972); White House Conference on Library and Information Services (1979); founding of the National Coalition for Literacy (1981); Adult Services in the Eighties project (1983-1990); Library Literacy Program (1986-1995); ALA Literacy Assembly convenes (1989); White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services (1991); ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services changes name (1995); ALA adopts literacy as one of five key action areas (1998); development of a national literacy agenda with focus on the role of libraries (1999); National Literacy Summit (2000); and ALA Standing Committee on Literacy established (2001). Reports on related issues are listed throughout. (Contains 48 references.) (MES)

This paper presents an annotated bibliography of 69 articles published in the 1990s that examine the impact of technology on reference service in public, school, and academic libraries. The paper is organized in the following seven parts, each dealing with a different type of application of technology: (1) "General Change Caused by Technology"; (2) "Formats of Reference Information," including CD-ROMs, geographic information systems, graphics, vertical files, and the World Wide Web; (3) "Remote Delivery of Information"; (4) "Use of Remote Resources in the Reference Transaction"; (5) "Reference Collection Development"; (6) "Connecting Reference Librarians to Remote Users," including e-mail, multi-user object oriented, videoconferencing, and Web forms; and (7) "Miscellaneous," including attitudes and behavior, professional collaboration, scheduling, and instruction. Each part begins with a brief overview that gives history, definition, or details on major issues. Several observations are offered about the literature of the 1990s in regard to technology and its effect on reference services. (MES)

This directory provides information about various types of Michigan libraries. The directory is divided into 13 sections: (1) "Alphabetical List of Public and Branch Libraries Whose Names Do Not Indicate Their Location"; (2) "Public and Branch Libraries"; (3) "Library Cooperatives; (4) "Academic Libraries"; (5) "Regions of Cooperation"; (6) "Regional Educational Media Centers"; (7) "Regional and Subregional Libraries"; (8) "Michigan Documents Depository Libraries"; (9) "Federal Documents Depository Libraries"; (10) "Michigan State Agency Libraries"; (11) "Special Libraries"; (12) "Library Associations"; and (13) "School Libraries." Alphabetized in some sections by city and in some sections by title of organization, each entry includes address, phone and fax numbers, and a contact name, which is most often a director. For many of the listings, TDD (Telecommunications-Device-for-the-Deaf) number, e-mail addresses, and World Wide Web sites are offered as well. Hours of operation are provided for public libraries and branch libraries. Functioning as a search aid, an introductory section features cross-references to city or town listings for many public library names that do not mention or describe the library's location. Includes a directory update form. (MES)

This paper examines the Kalamazoo Ladies' Library Association during the 25-year period in the last half of the 19th century when the association formed a Reading Circle, held Social Meetings, and finally established a Ladies' Library Club. The Reading Circle met weekly and bi-weekly between 1861-1868; the Social Meetings took place once a month between 1856 and 1861 and again in 1867, while the Ladies' Library Club began in 1873 and met until the 1890s. Each group discussed and studied various topics and literary works and had its own rules and procedures. The Reading Club, for example, allowed male membership and participation. The paper focuses on the structure and topics of the Reading Circle and the Social Meetings and the differences in approach. It examines not only what was studied but also the way gender influenced differences in the reception of and interpretation of literature by men and women in the Reading Circle. It also explores topics discussed in the Social Meeting where some participants felt more freedom to state opinions and extend the discussion of topics over several weeks. Changes in the focus for the study groups between the pre-Civil-War era and the post-Civil-War era are considered in the paper as well. Contains 32 notes and 4 references. (NKA)

The "Colorado Education Directory" is published annually as a service to schools, libraries, and other members of the educational community. All information within each section is arranged alphabetically. Thirteen sections include: 1) Colorado State Department of Education (CDE) staff and telephone numbers; 2) State Advisory Committees (that advise CDE activities); 3) school districts/buildings and personnel, along with a school district map; 4) charter schools; 5) district calendars (listing school opening and closing dates); 6) Boards of Cooperative (Educational) Services (BOCES) and member districts; 7) regional library service system offices; 8) academic libraries; 9) institutional libraries; 10) public libraries; 11) special libraries; 12) institutions of higher education and independent legislated vocational schools; and 13) educational groups and professional organizations. Maps of the Colorado Congressional District and area codes and Colorado public education facts are also included. (Contains six indexes covering: public school buildings, school districts, cities and school districts, libraries, general, and names of all persons listed in directory.) (AEF)

The Florida Library History Project (FLHP) began in January 1998. Letters requesting histories were sent to all public libraries in Florida with follow-up letters sent after an initial response was received from the libraries. E-mail messages were sent out to FL-LIB listservs encouraging participation in the project. A poster session was presented by Catherine Jasper at the 1998 Florida Library Association (FLA) Annual Conference, an event that marked FLA's 75th anniversary. At the end of this funding period, 89 library systems and organizations had provided histories. These have been compiled and are reproduced in this volume as submitted by participating libraries. Highlights include library founding, collections, services, budgets and expenditures, personnel, funding, survey results, technology, and developments. (AEF)

This bibliography lists 90 documents contained within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information File, which has been sent to 15,000 libraries across the country. The listing is organized into the following categories: laws and regulations (eight documents), technical assistance manuals and highlights (nine documents), question and answer publications (ten), ADA technical assistance (three), quarterly status reports, the food industry (six), health care and medical facilities (six), hotels and motels (two), child care (two), other business-related resources (thirteen), communication access (six), state and local governments (ten), aging issues and disability (three), design guides (six), and resource lists and general information (five). (DB)

The "Colorado Education & Library Directory" is published annually as a service to schools, libraries, and other members of the educational community. All information in this 1997-1998 edition is arranged alphabetically. Thirteen sections include: Colorado Department of Education (CDE) staff and telephone numbers; State Advisory Committees (that advise CDE activities); school districts/buildings and personnel; charter schools; district calendars (lists school opening and closing dates); Boards of Cooperative (Educational) Services (BOCES) and member districts; regional library service system offices; academic libraries; institutional libraries; public libraries; special libraries; institutions of higher education and independent legislated vocational schools; and educational groups and professional organizations. Maps of the Colorado Congressional District and area codes and Colorado public education facts are also included. Several indexes are provided. (AEF)

This document describes an action plan developed by the Colorado Council for Library Development (CCLD) Long Range Planning Committee. Before devising "Strategies 2001," the committee analyzed current strengths and weaknesses in Colorado library services, created a collective vision of future library services for the state, and developed plans for achieving that vision. The vision focuses on patrons having reliable and multifaceted access to information and receiving materials and answers promptly and cordially. The action plan itself lists in narrative format specific strategies for achieving objectives in leadership, services, and resource sharing, then charts the accompanying responsibilities of Colorado library professional organizations and of libraries at the local, state, and system levels. Appendices include a glossary of terms and definitions, a list of current library planning documents and intellectual freedom statements, a list of Strategies 2001 committee members, and a short history of library planning in Colorado. (BEW)

This annotated bibliography attempts to make the collection of the Tyler Free Library in Foster, Rhode Island, more accessible to anyone interested in the history of the town. The library has long been an unofficial repository of historical information and town documents for the community of Foster, Rhode Island. The library also houses the files of the Foster Preservation Society, which contain much historical and genealogical information about Foster and the surrounding area. The file is indexed and is available during library hours. The bibliography is divided into the following sections: (1) "Foster History and Folklore"; (2) "Comprehensive Planning"; (3) "Town Charter"; (4) "Schools/Education"; (5) "Zoning/Planning"; (6) "Tax Books"; and (7) "Maps." (EH)

This directory of Alaska's Libraries lists: members of the Alaska Library Association (AkLA) Executive Council and Committee Chairs; State Board of Education members; members of the Governor's Advisory Council on Libraries; school, academic and public libraries and their addresses, phone and fax numbers, and contact persons; personal, institutional, and commercial AkLA members--home addresses, phone and fax numbers are given for personal members, addresses are given for institutional members, and addresses and phone and fax numbers are given for commercial members; AkLA honorary members. (Also includes the AkLA mission statement; AkLA scholarship guidelines; a Directory change form; personal, commercial and institutional membership forms; and NUC (National Union Catalog) codes for Alaska Libraries. (AEF)

The purpose of this guide to local history resources in Ontario (Canada) public libraries is to evaluate current trends, problems, and innovations, including the use of new technologies. The guide was developed from a survey of Southern Ontario Library System (SOLS) members; a total of 58 libraries provided information about their local history collections. The survey found that local history and genealogy is an important component of the collections of many Ontario libraries. In most cases, local history is an additional responsibility given to regular reference staff. Inadequate staff time and expertise are the chief factors that limit collection growth. Library cooperation and communication with local historical and genealogical societies has resulted in mutually beneficial projects. Many of the libraries' most useful local history resources are the result of provincial and federal grants. A number of problems were indicated by the survey, including inadequate staffing, lack of space, funds, and equipment, problems related to administration of resources, and theft and natural disasters. Automation and new technologies offer great hope for preserving and expanding access to local history resources; an increasing number of libraries are putting local history catalogs, indexes, and actual resources into machine readable form. Also included in this guide are: a directory of the libraries; a list of libraries (with corresponding page numbers) mentioned in the directory; lists of libraries with collection development policies and gift/donation forms; and a bibliography of library produced descriptive and promotional literature. Appendices provide sample polices and forms. (Contains 17 references.) (AEF)

From November 1992 through May 1993, a series of staff development and training workshops were presented as part of the project, "Developing Library Services for Young Adults." The workshops included: "Redirecting Young Adult Behavior" (Glenna O. Auxier & Bob Perchalski); "The Youth Services Librarian and the Law" (Gary Becker & Julie Law); and "Teen Sexuality and AIDS Awareness" (Marilyn K. Volker). This manual includes information and facts from the workshop presentations, and expands on what was presented. It was proposed as a method of providing information and training for those individuals who were not able to get to the workshops. In addition to the workshop handouts, the manual includes articles that have been published as a result of these workshops, and information about nationally-recognized library programs for young adults that libraries in Florida have organized and implemented. A general overview is provided about working with young adults that will help both library generalists and young adult specialists provide better service to this client group. The contents of the manual are: "Young Adults--Who Are They?"; "The Youth Services Librarian and the Law"; "Teen Sexuality and AIDS Awareness"; "Reference Services for Young Adults"; "Programming for Young Adults"; "Literature of Today's Young Adults"; "Beyond Ephebiphobia: A Tool Chest for Customer Service to Young Adults"; and "Young Adult Services Professional Resources." Two appendices provide ALA intellectual freedom documents and information on grants and other alternative funding sources. (MAS)

The Mississippi Library Commission conducted a project that involved raising public awareness, collection development, and English as a Second Language (ESL) services. The project served a community of over 200,000 people, with ESL learners as the specific target group. The goal of the project was to aid public library and other literacy efforts in selecting and providing ESL materials for students and teachers. A core collection of ESL materials for use by ESL instructors, trainers, and program directors was purchased. The collection, housed at the Mississippi Library Commission, allows ready access through an established library resource sharing network throughout all areas of the state. The bibliography of ESL materials produced through the project was distributed to all public libraries, literacy providers, school districts, colleges, and junior colleges. A survey accompanied the bibliography, and was intended to obtain feedback from service providers who have the most direct contact with the target population. Information from the survey was also used in planning for future literacy programs. Literacy students will benefit from both the literacy providers' use of the collection and from personal access to the collection. Attachments include newspaper articles, the survey, and a 46-page annotated bibliography with three indexes (author, subject, and series) of ESL literacy materials. (SWC)

This bibliography contains 166 entries related to information access in rural communities. The entries were derived from the AGRICOLA database produced by the National Agricultural Library and include journal articles, books, conference papers, and government reports. Entries cover such topics as information centers, information needs, cooperative extension services, information services, libraries, program development, rural areas, rural development, rural communities, rural sociology, and rural libraries. Each entry contains title, author, publisher, publication date, journal or conference information (where appropriate), language, descriptors, and the National Agricultural Library call number. Some entries contain an abstract. Also included are indexes by author and subject and information about interlibrary loan from the National Agricultural Library. (LP)

This annotated bibliography lists over 400 books on Alaska recommended for consideration for Alaskana collections in public libraries. The core list is arranged in the following broad subject categories: (1) reference; (2) biography, memoirs, travel; (3) fiction; (4) history; (5) native culture/history; (6) native language dictionaries; and (7) nature, science, technology. With the exception of the native language dictionaries, each category is arranged in three levels: Basic - Level 1 for libraries with a small developing collection and limited services; Intermediate - Level 2 for libraries with a more mature collection and services; and Advanced - Level 3 for libraries serving a collection and services for a stable, larger population. Libraries at Basic - Level 1 should find titles listed under this level most relevant; libraries at Intermediate-Level 2 should evaluate all titles listed in both Levels 1 and 2; and those libraries at Advanced - Level 3 should consider all titles on the list. Contact information for the members of the Alaskana Working Group, which compiled the bibliography, and author and title indexes are included. (KRN)

Each year the Continuing Education Committee of the Library Instruction Round Table of the American Library Association selects the top 20 journal articles and publications for the previous year. This collection presents these bibliographies for nine years from 1985 to 1993. Each bibliography is annotated and offers a sampling of the 20 best or most informative publications relating to library instruction or library user education for the previous year. Publications represent instruction in academic, public, school, and special libraries. Topics of the selected publications include the following areas: instructional methods and design; learning theory; application of technology to library instruction; user behavior; training of library professionals; and the evaluation of bibliographic instruction librarians and programs. An author index is provided. (The combined bibliographies contain 180 items.) (JLB)

This DeKalb County Public Library family literacy project final performance report begins with a section that provides quantitative data on the project. The next section compares actual accomplishments to the following project objectives for fiscal year 1993: (1) to update eight existing literacy collections in branch libraries by the addition of 10% new titles; (2) to establish a core literacy collection of 825 print, 20 non-print, and 20 software packages; (3) to develop a computer lab with two personal computers and 20 literacy software packages, providing professional, individual assistance to a minimum of 200 adult and family literacy students; (4) to maintain a cooperative, coordinated literacy program in conjunction with the literacy community, sponsoring an in-service workshop for literacy volunteers, preparing and distributing at least two bibliographies of literacy materials, and hosting quarterly networking meetings; and (5) to expand the family literacy program at a community library by 100%, offering four 6-week sessions to a total of 24 families. Proposed and actual expenditures are compared. Details are provided on materials, training, library role, participating organizations, and library locations. The report concludes with a discussion of the impact of the project. Attachments include booklists, a literacy newsletter, a workshop agenda, flyers, and newspaper clippings. (MES)

The African American church has a long history of service to its community. The church in African American life has always served as a source of support, learning, information, and improvement for its members and the community it serves. This project directed its resources and energies toward developing meaningful and effective strategies for working with African American churches to encourage their youth to make better and more extensive use of library services. Topics covered in this document are: an overview of the participants of the project; techniques used to increase communications between the two institutions; an examination of the African American collections at each library; an evaluation of materials purchased by the project; a list of recommended materials for a well-rounded African American collection; descriptions of the project's programs; evaluation of the programs; the questionnaires used in the project; the librarian interviews; the project director's evaluation; conclusions; and the recommendations and products of the project. The appendices include management profiles of the project libraries; a directory of the churches; Urban School Improvement Project church survey documents; library and church newsletters; selected African American publishers; the evaluation questionnaire; and a list of selected children's books and authors. (JLB)

THe Library Services for Indian Tribes and Hawaiian natives Program, Title IV of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), supports public library services to Indians and Hawaiian Natives. Two types of grants--Basic Grants and Special Projects--encourage the development and improvement of public library services through selected project activities. All of these projects have one common goal: to develop and strengthen public library services in tribal communities facing various important disadvantages, such as the absence of adequate facilities, culturally significant books and documents, and trained librarians. This report provides information on the sixth year of funding (fiscal year 1990) of the Title IV programs. Overviews of both Basic Grants and Special Projects for the Indian Tribes are provided, and these are followed by the abstracts of the 13 projects. Information provided for each project includes the name and address of the grantee, the name and title of the project director, a summary of federal and tribal funding, the project period, and highlights of project activities. The name of the librarian is also provided for 10 of the projects. An overview of the Hawaiian Natives Program is followed by summaries of the eight projects supported by this program. It is noted that this program has continued to strengthen outreach programs, train library professionals, and augment specific resource collections appropriate to the cultural, historical, and informational needs of this group. Three appendices contain a list of tribes and awards by state and activities funded for FY 1990, a map of locations of special projects grants for FY 1985-1990, and a summary of special projects funding for FY 1985-1990. (BBM)

This annotated bibliography contains books for blind or physically handicapped youngsters from preschool through junior high. The books are available in braille, on audiocassette, or recorded discs. The approximately 200 titles listed have been produced in Florida or obtained from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The bibliography, which was prepared in conjunction with the State Library of Florida's Summer Library Program for 1992, is built around a travel theme. The items are further divided by these themes: (1) traveling through time; (2) stretching your imagination; (3) back to the times of kings and queens; (4) exploring other places; (5) out to space; (6) visiting the future; (7) meeting monsters and strange creatures; and (7) into the heart. Annotations include the grade level for which each item is appropriate. The bibliography also contains an author index and a title index. An order form is included. The bibliography is set in large print and is also available on cassette or in braille. (KRN)

This report describes the development of the Forest Trail Library Consortium (FTLC), a network of academic, public, and school libraries in Texas. The growth of FTLC from 4 charter members to its current 16 members is traced, including details about goals and funding. The role of special interest groups (SIGs) is examined, and the goals and recommendations developed by the SIG on retrospective conversion are presented. The rationale for the selection of BiblioFile workstations for retrospective conversion is discussed, along with details about the reconversion procedures. The agreement negotiated with OCLC that provided for certain libraries to be designated as OCLC processing centers for the consortium is explained, including procedures for identifying and shipping materials, and problems with incompatible barcodes are addressed. Activities of other SIGs concerned with acquisitions/collection development, cataloging/authority control, circulation, databases and equipment, and training and documentation are summarized. Supplemental materials include an FTLC organizational chart, the retrospective conversion model, a diagram of the OCLC processing center arrangement, a retrospective conversion log sheet, and a list of member libraries. (MES)

This annotated bibliography describes braille and recorded books presenting African-American personalities and concerns in fiction and nonfiction. Approximately 480 items are indexed. The bibliography is divided between recorded and braille titles and by fiction and nonfiction. There are separate sections for juvenile titles reflecting these divisions. Books for junior and senior high readers were placed in the juvenile sections; books for high school and adult readers were placed in the adult sections. Some of the books are part of the Cassette Book Florida Collection, which are recorded by volunteers. A title index is provided. (KRN)

This bibliography lists books appropriate for first and second graders and other children just beginning to exercise some reading skills. Most of the books listed have a controlled vocabulary, but textbooks are not included. Each entry includes author, title, publisher, publication date, and price. Approximately 175 books are listed in alphabetical order by author, and addresses are given for 4 publishers of easy reading books. (KRN)

This annual bibliography of Alaska- and Arctic-related publications received by the Alaska Division of State Libraries is divided into three categories. There are 26 titles in the "Juvenile Fiction" section, 122 in the "Adult Non-Fiction" section, and 19 in the "Adult Fiction" section. Government publications are generally not included, although a few Alaska state and Canadian documents of general interest are noted for special emphasis or to alert users of the guide to titles that might be of interest. Short annotations are given for each item, including publishing information, price, and a brief indication of the subject matter. An asterisk accompanies those titles that are deemed to be most worthy of consideration for first purchase by small and medium-sized public libraries and school library media centers. (MAB)

This annotated bibliography contains books for blind or physically handicapped youngsters from preschool through junior high. The books are available in braille, on audiocassette, or recorded discs. The approximately 400 titles listed were produced in Florida or obtained from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The bibliography, which was prepared in conjunction with the State Library of Florida's Summer Library program for 1991, is built around a safari theme. The items are further divided by these themes: (1) African safari; (2) jungle safari; (3) animal safari; (4) dinosaur safari; (5) distant safari; and (6) backyard safari. Each annotation indicates the grade level for which the book or recording is appropriate. The bibliography also contains an author index and a title index. An order form is included. The bibliography is set in large print and is also available on cassette or in braille. (KRN)

This selective annotated bibliography of rural education in Canada contains 235 citations of books, government documents, journal articles, and ERIC documents available at the Brandon University library. The list is not exhaustive, but is intended to highlight activities, events, writings, and projects concerned with rural education in Canada. This document contains an index and a list of rural education journals. Topics with the most references in the index include adult education, community education, counselors and counseling services, distance education, educational aspirations, government support, music education, Native students, occupational aspirations, professional development, public libraries, remote and rural communities, rural development, rural libraries, rural schools, rural-urban differences, school boards, school-community relationship, small schools, teacher profiles, technology, and vocational education. (SV)

The lack of library facilities, books and documents, and trained personnel are significant obstacles to Indian Tribes and Hawaiian Natives engaged in developing and strengthening public library services. The Library Services for Indian Tribes and Hawaiian Natives Program is the only Federal library program that provides direct grant funds for establishing or improving public library services for these two groups. This report provides information on the fifth year of funding (fiscal year 1989) of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Title IV grant programs, which provide appropriations for the two groups under two program cycles: Basic Grants and Special Projects. An explanation of the Basic Grants program is presented, with an appended table showing a breakdown of funding by activity for each basic grant. Highlights are then given of each Special Projects award including the exemplary Special Projects grants of the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Nisqually Tribe; in addition, a map and a funding summary for fiscal years 1985-1989 are provided. Thirteen Hawaiian Natives projects, funded under the Basic Grant program, are also listed; information provided for each project includes its funding, its objective, and a brief summary of activities to be accomplished. An appendix summarizes the basic grants for fiscal year 1989 and indicates the assessment, training, personnel, library materials, dissemination, transportation, special programs, and construction costs for each tribe, by state. (MAB)

This report on the types of library projects funded by the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Library Literacy Program indicates that, out of the 533 state and local public library proposals which were submitted, 214 libraries in 47 states received funding, and that grants ranging in size from $1,400 to $25,000 were awarded to 16 state libraries and 198 local public libraries. Six sections divide the report. Section I provides an overview of the types of literacy activities that have found funding, e.g., projects which establish literacy collections, train tutors, offer English-as-a-Second-Language instruction, or provide family literacy services. Discussed in section II are the major developments in the areas of evaluation, family literacy, computer instruction, and special populations that have occurred in these projects. Examined in section III are such common characteristics of the 1989 project activities as collaboration, cooperation, coalition building; public awareness; training; collection development; technology-assisted approaches; special instructional components; and employment-oriented projects. Section IV provides an exhaustive list of the project activities and their activity codes, and section V presents descriptions of each project. Listed alphabetically by state, the project descriptions include the library name, address and phone number, director's name, amount of funding, and codes for activities encompassed by the project's scope. Finally, section VI presents an analysis of the 1989 applications, grants, and project activities and provides statistics on the applications received and funded; it also investigates state and local public library activities. (MAB)

This proposal examines the formation of the Carnegie Library at Union Springs, Alabama, in the context of the rural society from which it grew. It is suggested that the availability of detailed research into the dynamics of this library's formation may help historians identify factors that support the advent of public libraries, regardless of their locations, and may assist the library profession to better articulate methods to help floundering public libraries. It is proposed that several independent variables be examined in varying depth, including: (1) the confluence of Carnegie's philanthropy with the local philanthropic impulse and civic pride; (2) local leadership from elected officials, library association members, and community leaders; (3) the presence of supporters of the local subscription library and their backgrounds; (4) the presence of enough wealth in the county to support Carnegie's matching funds requirement; (5) the backing of the local newspaper; (6) the influence of populism; and (7) the presence of general cultural factors--e.g., the public library movement throughout the southeast, the growth of public education, and the relative lack of racial and political turmoil. (22 references) (SD)