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The article discusses the use of decodables or decodable books in the library to support classroom literacy. Topics include factors that pose challenges to librarians seeking to engage with them, ways to use decodables in one's library including coordinating with colleagues, using curation expertise, and making a word study station, and how decodable books allow readers to develop their confidence.

The article examines the role that can be played by libraries to make sure schools approach artificial intelligence (AI) right. Topics discussed include school districts in the U.S. that banned access to ChatGPT, citing fears over the ease with which students could cheat; view of media specialist Joni Gilman on AI tools, and opportunities and challenges posed by AI.

The article presents the "Library Journal" (LJ) Index of Public Library Service 2021 in the U.S. Topics include the public libraries eligible for the index and repeat and new star libraries from 2009 to 2021, an interview with directors of new or returning 2021 Star Libraries on topics including how their libraries were positioned to cope with the pandemic, and frequently asked questions about the LJ index and its Star Library ratings.

The article discusses how libraries in the U.S. are providing services for people that are incarcerated. Topics covered include the findings of Jacob Kang-Brown and Ram Sabramanian's Vera Institute report "Out of Sight: The Growth of Jails in Rural America," the challenge of sorting information about library services to people who are or have been incarcerated and their families, and way to support the families of people who are incarcerated or recently released.

The article discusses a variety of training options and practical tips offered by vendors to ensure librarians and patrons get the most out of their databases. Topics include the importance of training according to Allyson Zellner, manager of Customer Training Services for EBSCO, courses being offered by EBSCO Academy, and training offered by ProQuest.

Reports that the nation's major research libraries have until November 20, 1992 to apply for monies under the US Department of Education's (DOE) Strengthening Research Library Resources Program. Grants for research libraries; Maintaining and enhancing collections; Deadline dates; Award amounts available; Contact information.

Discusses compact discs (CDs) and how to successfully integrate them into a library collection. Sources and tools available in selection of CDs; "Schwann CD"; "CD Guide"; CD reviews; Indexes to CD reviews; Alternatives to CDs; Lists resources for the CD collection builder.

This section offers news briefs related to libraries in the U.S. as of August 2018, including the addition of five companies to Consortium, an Ingram Publisher Services LLC brand; the launch of a library card by Kent District Library for active military and veterans; and the funding received by the Navajo Nation Library from the Navajo Nation Council to digitize its Oral History collection.

This section presents information on several computer software and CD-ROM packages for U.S. libraries. Get-A-Ref version 4.0 is a tool for researchers, scientists, physicians, graduate students, or anyone else who must access and update personal libraries of reprints. The Third College Edition of Webster's New World Dictionary database holds approximately 30 megabytes of standard dictionary data including 140,000 lexemes, 180,000 definitions, 51,000 etymologies, and 50,000 classification descriptors. Utlas International has released a CD-ROM containing over 460,000 full MARC serials records to complement its CD-CATSS cataloging system. The records consist of the pre-1987 authenticated CONSER files from the Library of Congress and the National Library of Canada as well as original serials records from selected Utlas customers. The Unisys Corp. has completed negotiations with the University of North Dakota for the implementation of a PALS Library Management system to serve libraries statewide. The network will allow the Grand Forks Public Library and the North Dakota State Library to make their combined 1.7 million-volume collection available to any library system.

Discloses that the Universal Serials & Book Exchange (USBE) is discussing affiliation with UTLAS, the University of Toronto Library Automation System. Aim of becoming a vendor of UTLAS and make USBE collections available for online ordering by Canadian libraries.

The article features several digital developers who helped influence the future of libraries in the U.S. These include head of information technology (IT) services Nathaniel Rasmussen of Schlow Centre Region Library of State College, Pennsylvania, library data strategist Kristina Spurgin of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries, and curator of rare books Jay Moschella of Boston Public Library.

The article reports on the need for libraries to have inventive storage solutions to strike a balance between group gatherings and room to read. It is said that many libraries are trying to make more space for people. Dri Ralph, facilities design coordinator at Washington’s King County Library System (KCLS), says that people do not hang out in the stacks.

The article reports that Harvard University will make publicly available from its 73 libraries over 12 million catalog records under a creative commons license.

This section offers news briefs on issues of interest to reference staff in public and academic libraries as of March 2018. Topics discussed include the decline in undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. according to a research by Martin Kurzweil and Daniel Rossman of the nonprofit research organization Ithaka S+R, grant-funded online resources on studying social life in the Appalachian region, and the need for Canadians to have better tools to help manage and protect their online reputations.

The article discusses the importance for library leaders to measure the performance of their institution. It mentions several library institutions that offer outcomes-based evaluation (OBE) training and support for their members to effectively measure outcomes and address the rising need of its users. It also mentions the strategy of other libraries in measuring outcomes, which helped decision-makers further improve the service they can offer.

Reports that Micromedia Limited has been acquired by ProQuest's Information and Learning unit. View that the purchase will improve the business of ProQuest in Canada; Brand value of Micromedia; Effort to appeal to Canadian libraries.

The article discusses the challenges faced by college and university libraries in the U.S. as institutions begin reopening in fall 2020. Topics covered include the closing of academic libraries in the U.S. in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, modification in the plan of University Libraries at Baylor University in Texas to reopen the library as a study space, and the need of libraries to maintain digital services that have served their communities since March 2020.

The article offers brief information on library products and furnishings including the Fragile Artifact Box by Gaylord, the Fleetwood Tablet Cart by Demco, and the Staff Transaction Station (STS) by EnvisionWare, Inc.

The article lists software and computer network companies that provide library services including EnvisionWare, Inc., Innovative Interfaces, Inc., and Jamex, Inc.

The article examines the increasing use of audio media and the response of U.S. libraries to the needs of users. The article surveys the continuing popularity of older media formats such as audiobooks and compact discs, but notes that many libraries are offering content in digital files that can be downloaded from collections stored online. INSETS: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW;WHAT'S ON THAT DISC?.

The article focuses on pay-per-view (PPV) texts in libraries. The pros and cons of PPV are weighed. Several pay-per-view services that are commonly used by libraries are reviewed, including Wiley InterScience, ScienceDirect, and HighWire Press. The prices of PPV article purchasing are presented and discussed. INSET: OTHER SOURCES.

The article focuses on printing on demand (POD). Particular focus is given to the growing popularity and the benefits of POD. A brief historical overview of POD is presented. The question of who does the printing and where is brought up. The Espresso Book Machine, which prints on-demand and on-site, is discussed. The article mentions POD programs such as Amazon's subsidiary BookSurge. The future of POD in libraries is also discussed.

The article presents information about online databases provided by various sources. The article mentions databases produced by AARP, ABC-CLIO, Accessible Archives, National Journal Group Inc., SpringerLink, Routledge and Taylor & Francis. A description of each provider's online database content and contact information, including website, is provided.

Focuses on Fayetteville Public Library (FPL) in Arkansas, "Library Journal's" Library of the Year for 2005. Details of FPL's 88,000 square foot building that was opened in 2004; Comments from Louise Schaper, the library's executive director; Five steps to having a successful library; Importance of having employees with positive attitudes; Success of FPL's volunteer program; Increased funding seen at FPL; Details of the library's collections.

Focuses on the use of the Internet in information management in a library system at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Application of Web-sites and Web-based services to disseminate bibliographic information; Creation of a corresponding Extensible Markup Language; Overview of a substantial testing and debugging process on the development server. INSET: Vendor Support for RSS.

Features several information resources available for library collections. 'University Press Books for Secondary School Libraries'; 'Introduction to Family Camping,' by the Boy Scouts of America; Microfiche catalog of the Montana Historical Society Library.

The article presents questions and answers on the appropriate response by librarians when adults demand book removal from libraries.

Discusses the need for reader's advisory services within the library and offers suggestions on how to provide these services. Annotations and booklists; Topical displays; Genre labels and classifications; Reader interest categorization; Book talks and book reviews; Discussion programs; Merchandising; Electronic reader's advisory services; More. INSETS: How to write a reader's annotation.;The LC/OCLC fiction project: A progress report..

Reports on library service-related developments, as of April 15, 1988. Creation of a formal preservation collection at the National Library of Canada; Request for information on segregated libraries; Criticism against videocassette lending in libraries; Sponsorship of a library competition by BBC Radio in England.

Highlights the midwinter meeting of the American Library Association (ALA) organized during January 31, 1981 to February 5, 1981 in Washington D.C. Emergence of doubts about the future of federal library legislation and disagreements over the organizational future of ALA; Issues discussed in the meeting; Plan for a summit meeting scheduled for April 1981.

The article provides information on the Public Libraries Survey (PLS) Report issued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on August 2, 2018 which offered a look at public library use, financial health, staffing and resources in the U.S. active public libraries in fiscal year 2015. Findings include total public library visits in 2015, number of collection items made by the library during the period, and how libraries are working to rebound from the Great Recession of 2009.

This article presents a description of the perfect library ally during economically difficult times and provides information about several people who exemplify such an ally. Lioneld Jordan, the mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, refused to cut the budget of the city's library system. David Bieter, the mayor of Boise, Idaho, led the effort to build three new library branches and plan for a fourth.

This article reports on the Ohio eBook Project launched by the State Library of Ohio in October 2005. The program will allow libraries across the state to access hundreds of eBooks and audiobooks for patrons. The program is funded by $28,000 in start-up money from the State Library, which also pays $1,000 in maintenance fees to OverDrive, a digital book vendor that supplies the software and materials for the collection.

This is an article that focuses on the use of floating collections and how such a program can benefit a library and its community. Ten years ago during a period of rapid growth and increasing circulation, Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL), CO, cut the total volume of all material moving among its libraries by 67 percent. Materials "float" freely among system libraries rather than being "owned" by a specific location. Since holds trigger the movement of material, the library serving patrons who have a heavy interest in horses will end up with more material about horses in the collection, while the library down the road might have fewer such items. Whatever an individual library system's unique needs, a basic infrastructure must be in place in libraries that choose to float their materials: a fast delivery system, a convenient request system, and software support from an integrated ILS vendor. Libraries interested in converting to a floating collection should consider appointing a library representative who has in-depth knowledge of the circulation system and the database functionality to work directly with the vendor on the technical changes required to track floating materials.

Discusses policies for libraries with respect to providing hyperlinks on web sites. Issues that must be addressed prior to adding a link on one's site; Examples of policies for Internet linking in libraries.

Reports on the ninth biennial national conference of the Public Library Association held in Phoenix, Arizona. Attendance at the conference; Issue of recruiting new librarians; Reaction of libraries to the terrorist attacks in the United States; Details of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will provide libraries with computers throughout the United States; Trends in public libraries; Efforts of libraries to cope with diversity; Other topics discussed.

Discusses trends in library design and construction. How libraries are built to facilitate self-service on the part of patrons; Ways to add flexibility for networks and electronics; Energy efficiency as a concern in library design; Collaboration between public and academic libraries; Aesthetic concerns; How to tailor library service for its specific community and its needs.

Offers tips to librarians whose libraries are victimized by donations of books that promote creationism or intelligent design as an alternative to evolutionary theory. Contact the National Center for Science Education; Importance of planning a strategy in order to respond to arguments; Explanation of policies before accepting gifts. INSETS: Evolutionary Links;Recommended Titles.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in the previous issues. "Can We Save the Public's Library?," which discussed the needs of public and academic libraries; "Placements and Salaries 1988: The Demand Increases" which tackled the increased demand for librarians; "Outstanding Religious Books" which presented a list of religious books.

Discusses the plan of libraries in the Pacific Northwest to enter into cooperative collection development agreements. Structure of the Pacific Northwest conspectus which is used to describe the existing collection, acquisition commitment and collection goals of a library; Tools used for collection assessment; Access to reports comparing groups of libraries; Validation of the assessment data.

Reports that the vast majority of Americans see public libraries as a key educational institution that should be well-supported. New American Library Association publication `America's Libraries; New Views in the '90s'; Latest available research and statistics, drawn from a variety of sources, on circulation, collections, usage, and public attitudes about libraries; Contact point for copies; Details.

Provides observations about the rapidly changing technologies available to librarians in the U.S. Development of new materials and books annually; Popularity of children's books; Accessibility of books in physical format; Problems associated with stylistic changes in language; Relationship between new and old works of fiction; Integration of literature workshops into school curricula. INSETS: Oldies but Goodies List;Poetry Books for Oldies but Goodies.

Reports that state budget cuts in Virginia will cut into the budgets of the Library of Virginia (LOVa) and public libraries in the state. Number of agencies outside higher education that received budget cuts; Amount of the permanent reduction in the library's overall general fund appropriation due to budget cuts during the previous two years; Remarks from the LOVa; Description of how the LOVa plans to handle the reductions, including a loss of 59 positions, a cut in the materials budget, closure of reading rooms one day a week, the elimination of the Digital Library Program, and cut of the Building and Construction Grants program; State funding for local libraries.

Reports on donations, gifts, and bequests given to libraries around the United States in early 1999. How Irwin Uran, a reclusive philanthorpist, donated $1 million to establish a Judaic Studies collection at the Loudoun County Library in Leesburg, Virginia; How a donation to the Tulsa City-County Library will lead to the opening of a Hispanic Resource Center; Amount of money the Harvard University Library received from the United States National Endowments for the Humanities.

Presents information pertaining to academic, public, and special libraries. Grant received by the University of Iowa's School of Library and Information Science; Increase in state aid to New Jersey libraries; Data collection and measurement toolkit issued to librarians in Canada by the Canadian Health Libraries Association; More.

Focuses on Harvard University's attempt to build a case for greater cooperation within Harvard's university library community in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Goal of maximizing advantages of Harvard's decentralized library system; Creation of an online, computer-supported system; Utilization of new technology to improve access.

The article provides information on steps that the author feels libraries should take when they decide to move some of their books from the reference section to the circulation section. Recommendations are provided on steps that the author feels libraries should take when they decide to reorganize the library including to plan ahead, to get rid of materials that are not used and to communicate the decision to reorganize the library with patrons and staff members.

This article discusses the popularity of DVDs at libraries. Although there are many more books than DVDs in most libraries, DVDs are circulating more frequently. Some libraries have found that shelving DVDs with companion books is also helping to increase the DVD circulation. DVDs of television programs such as "The Waltons" and "Desperate Housewives" have become increasingly in demand.

Presents information on the new Central Library in Seattle, Washington which will open on May 23, 2004. Designers of the building; Facilities.