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The article discusses trends in library security concerns and solutions as libraries flourish with new programs, facilities, and patrons. Topics include patrons' use of tobacco vape pipes to smoke legal marijuana in libraries, panhandlers dressed in religious clothing inside and outside of libraries, and ransomware attacks on servers, payroll systems, or network computers of libraries.

The article discusses the use of repair events hosted by libraries to reduce waste and acquire new library patrons from the community. Topics include the ability of repair clinics to teach patrons to repair broken items and inspire them to learn more about products they consume and how they work, the use of Repair Cafes and Fixit Clinics to connect libraries with their surrounding communities, and the use of the repair events to build sustainable societies.

The article discusses the author's views about how American libraries can lead the effort to combat fake news as of 2017, and it mentions media literacy in the U.S., as well as the ways that librarians can assist library patrons in accessing accurate information. According to a 2016 research report, a majority of adults in the U.S. receive their news in real time from online social media websites and services. Journalists in America are also assessed.

The article focuses on the significance of libraries to library users. Early positive memories, and occasional negative experiences, shape people's lifelong relationship with libraries and library staff. People find that libraries provide a continuum for lifelong use that is unique in our society. And although public, school, academic, and special libraries operate independently, they have created an interdependent and interconnected network of resources and staff that influence people in countless ways throughout their lifetimes.

The article offers news briefs related to American libraries as of March 2006. Flooding at Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library in New Haven, Connecticut, damaged some 3,000 books and a valuable collection of Cambodian newspapers that document the nation's genocide during the 1970s. Ongoing patron-behavior woes during after-school hours have prompted officials of the Wickliffe Public Library in Ohio to ban visits between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. from youngsters under 14 unless accompanied by an adult or enrolled in a library program.

Discusses the provision of equal service access for library users in the U.S. Factors to consider in achieving equitable service delivery from libraries to public users; Concerns that emerge when outreach is segregated from regular library service; Services developed by the American Library Association for different and special populations. INSET: Celebrate Equitv with Carlo Hayden.

Offers library news for March 2002. Sentencing of a former librarian at the University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa to pay replacement costs for the destruction of books; Literacy program of the Chicago Public Library in Illinois; Complaint of black staffers at the District of Columbia Public Library about the decreased prominence of Black History Month; Charges against an 84-year-old man for stealing materials from libraries in California; Delinquent patrons at North Babylon Public Library in New York taken to court.

Presents developments in library media services in the U.S. 'Media Port,' a videotape program that provides library patrons with local information; 'Listing of Archival Supplies and Services,' a brochure developed through the Historical Awareness and Assistance Project for Metropolitan Milwaukee; Launch of multimedia campaign to combat illiteracy in Alabama; Guidelines to help school librarians evaluate library media services.

Presents the digests of several articles, research and statistics as of June 1987 that are of interest to librarians in the United States. Claim that the 'reference interview' between librarian and patron is partially a myth; Percentage of library patrons who read the entire nonfiction book they have borrowed; Use of database searching services in schools across the United States. INSETS: New librarians critical of their training;Libraries rally to aid refugees.

In this article the author, who wrote the book "Main Street Public Library: Community Places and Reading Spaces in the Rural Heartland, 1876-1956," discusses the role of libraries in the lives of library users and patrons. He presents information on a study he executed for the book, in which he studied public libraries the Midwest U.S., addressing topics such as the use of libraries as community centers, the role of reading in communities, and the function of communicative institutions.

The article presents several ways libraries can adapt to change and stay relevant to users in the years following the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009. The author addresses what he calls "library fitness" in light of the 150th anniversary of the book "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin, which presents the theory of the survival of the fittest. The twelve steps to library fitness include emphasizing local communities, engaging library users, and finding and solving problems. Other topics include ideas discussed in the books "Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits," by Leslie Crutchfield and "How the Mighty Fall," by Jim Collins.

The article discusses the decision of some library boards to curtail or eliminate Spanish-language acquisitions. Equating the acquisition of Spanish-language fiction with catering to illegal aliens is an idea that originates from the broader immigration issue in the U.S. The author advocates open information accessibility for the millions of Latino citizens who work, pay taxes, and are library users entitled to the same rights as any other U.S. citizen. INSET: READ MORE.

The article talks about the worth of libraries. Every library employee should know three crucial things about the library's host system: its missions, its structure and its history. It states that policies establishing unfiltered access to Internet resources for children brought into question the common notion of public libraries being good for children. While all library users should receive the same open, friendly, excellent service, some need to be kept fully satisfied all the time.

The author discusses the use of participatory design methods by designers to include stakeholders' feedback when planning the architectural and interior design of libraries. Topics include discussions between designers and stakeholders in order to determine how people use libraries versus relying on generalizations and assumptions, participatory design's valuing of experiential knowledge and professional expertise equally, and the use of participatory design to empower patrons and address inequity.

Features stories regarded as the real measures of the success of librarians. Role of the Vancouver Public Library in fulfilling the dying request of a patron's friend; Efforts of a librarian to help Patricia Cook receive her first reading achievement certificate; Importance for librarians to draw the connections between the statistics they report and the lives of their community members. INSETS: Geting the Word Out;The Power of a Few Visits.

Looks at the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for libraries and librarians in the country. Effect of the CIPA decision on free speech of adult library users; Limitations of filtering software to block access to protected speech; Impact on intellectual freedom.

Focuses on the response of librarians and libraries to the U.S. Supreme Court decision which upheld the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Issue regarding the provision of CIPA for libraries to purchase blocking software to protect young library users; Action taken by the Federal Communications Commission in response to the ruling; Impact on the finances of libraries.

Many library patrons who are seeking 'free money' have not been told the lowdown on grants for individuals. They were given misleading ideas that masquerade as facts. In reality, financial help (not necessarily a grant) is available for many people in the areas of housing, business, health, utilities, and a host of other things. If they understand the grant money tree and how it grows, it is possible to find real help. There are billions of dollars of private and public grant money, but they do not go into a pipeline from the federal government or a private foundation directly to consumers. Very few of the programs created with this federal money are outright grants that do not have to be paid back. A look through the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (also online at www.cfda.gov), published by the General Services Administration's Office of Government-wide Policy, is instructive. Most are loans, loan guarantees, counseling, and inspection and certification services. Most true grants to businesses involve disaster relief, crop subsidies, and the development of cutting-edge technology toward market readiness. Neither federal government agencies nor foundations create pots of money that people can access by virtue of age, disability, gender, or being in business. Libraries will probably always have some free-money books on the shelves because of demand, but libraries can also provide an alternative--genuinely helpful financial information. State health department Web sites offer tips on what's available through state government; a complete list of state links is available at www.astho.org. At each state's site, librarians can explore such programs as health testing, support for AIDS victims, and casework and treatment for children who are ill with specific conditions.

Presents the results of a survey conducted by the Library Research Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about access control of the Internet in public libraries. Prevalence of Internet-management strategies in libraries, including written policies, parental permission for children's use of the Internet, and filtering tools; Questions raised by the survey.

Offers library science news in the United States. Speculation that Harvard University's Widener Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts will have to relocate; View of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on library Internet filters; Federal funds for the University of Southern California at Los Angeles to seismically retrofit its Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library; Others.

Cites survey findings regarding young people's attitudes towards librarians in the U.S. Ranking of librarians as sources of research advice; Things young people dislike most about libraries; Factors that drive students away from seeking a librarian's advice.

Presents readers' views on key issues relevant to libraries and library science in the U.S. Appropriate terms for library users; Proposed rules on access to library information on nuclear arms; Distribution of tax returns by libraries.

The article discusses the author's experiences as the executive director of the American Library Association (ALA), and it mentions leadership, teamwork, and his work in helping to establish the ALA's Office for Library Advocacy. The dues associated with an ALA membership are examined, along with information about conference registration, professional advancement, and the ALA's efforts to protect the privacy rights of library patrons.

The article offers advice to library professionals on how to develop a summer reading program. In order to create the most effective system, the author suggests soliciting feedback from staff members, conducting patron surveys, and considering input from teachers and other educators.

An interview with author Roxane Gay is presented. She discusses her approach to storytelling in different media such as novels, comic books, and screenplays and also comments on her use of social media platforms like Twitter. Other topics covered include the status of her manuscript "How to Be Heard," her literary influences, and experiences as a library patron.

The article offers information on library gaming programs in the U.S. It states that as gaming programs become popular, it is important to understand the facts about gaming and children including the common misconceptions. According to the article, a library gaming program is not just a source of entertainment but could also engage the library and its patrons with their community.

This article states that U.S.Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ordered August 2, 2006 the full disclosure of court records related to Doe v. Gonzales--the challenge to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2005 demand that Connecticut's Library Connection consortium turn over records of patrons' computer use.

Presents the results of "Public Libraries and the Internet 2004: Survey Results and Findings," a report issued in June 2005 by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Challenge facing U.S. libraries in providing enough workstations to meet Internet demand; Selected goals of the study; Key issues identified from the research; Implications of the data for many issues that affect public libraries and the roles they play, or can play, in the networked society.

Reports on the crisis being faced by public libraries in Great Britain that could make them unused and irrelevant by 2020 according to a report released by business analyst Tim Coates entitled "Who's in Charge?" Percentage decline in library usage in the past 10 years; Rise of the national cost of public library service; Reaction of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals to the report.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. "On My Mind," which focused on the role of U.S. librarians; "Why libraries Matter," which presented testimonies about libraries; "Serving Seniors: Dos and Don'ts at the Desk," which provided suggestions that would enable older library users to better access resources.

Presents updates on information technology and libraries in the United States as of December 2003. Explanation that the adoption by public libraries in the U.S. of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology poses no problem for the privacy of library users; Information on library systems that are good for the use of public libraries; Web support to bibliographic identifiers.

Reports on the possibility that Charles Allaway, a former janitor who killed seven people at a California university library in 1976, may be released from a state mental hospital. Allaway's successful insanity defense after his killings at the California State University at Fullerton; The decision by state psychiatrists that he had regained his mental health and was fit for release; Judges' previous denials of parole; The concerns of the victim's families, that Allaway might be released.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Price of Patronage," by Jennifer Dewey in the Nov/Dec 2014 issue.

Reports that Anchorage (Alaska) Municipal Libraries Director Moe McGee asked city administrator to lift filters from the library's computers. Why the filters were installed on all municipal Internet connections, according to city administration; Comments of Alaska Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Jennifer Rudinger about the constitutional problems with using the censoring software.

Presents publications, trade announcements and selected resources concerning the library profession in the United States. Bibliography on reading in American schools; Technology advances for blind and physically handicapped library users; Paper on starting a collection for adult readers.

Presents news briefs related to libraries as of November 1979. Samples from the sound/slide presentation 'The School Library--the Information Center of the School'; Penrose Public Library's Give-a-Book Certificate program for its library patrons in Colorado; Photograph of the Perry-Castaneda Library on the tickets for a football game between the University of Texas and Texas Tech.

Features several materials for female library users in the United States. Handbook on women's issues; Directory of women's organizations and leaders; Guide to art groups for women.

Cites survey findings regarding the library needs of users and non-users in New Orleans, Louisiana. User and nonuser interests in library materials; Usage and visitation rates for libraries; Understanding on the information to be derived from libraries.

Presents readers' views regarding libraries and library science in the U.S. Interpretation of societal trends that suggest the needs of library users; Elimination of courtesy titles among library staff; Professional status of librarians.

Reports a 1996 decision to pay former Municipal Librarian, Keith Revelle, back pay, interest, and court costs nearly eight years after he was dismissed from his position in Anchorage, Alaska; The agreed upon amount by the Anchorage Municipal Assembly; Details of Revelle's being fired by Mayor Tom Fink in 1988.

Discusses how restraints on children's library access have created controversy in Illinois and Massachusetts. Proposal by the Oak Lawn, Illinois, Public Library Board to restrict the access of children ages 13 and under from adult library material; Decision to rescind the proposal; Protest in Andover, Massachusetts by youngsters demanding freedom to use the entire library, not just the children's room.

The article focuses on how library managers and administrators can encourage innovation in libraries and prevent the failure of new library services. The author suggests that managers should encourage staff to learn about new trends in technology, give staff time to experiment with new initiatives, and develop a work culture that is tolerant of risks. Other topics include budget cuts to libraries, patron population, and rate of return (ROI) for libraries.

The article reports that presenters at the second annual American Library Association (ALA) TechSource Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium think that modern games aren't trivial, and librarians who dismiss them as such do their patrons a disservice. Held on November 2-4, 2008 in Oak Brook, Illinois, the event showcased examples of how the complexity of modern games prepares young people for their futures. The "Pokémon" series, for example, requires players to track more than 500 characters, each falling into one of 17 types.

This article reports on the increase in library card registration of libraries in the U.S. According to a 2007 Harris Interactive poll released September 22, 2008, during Library Card Sign-up Month, 68% of Americans have a library card, up 5% since 2006. Seventy-six percent of Americans visited their local public library in the past year, compared With 65.7% two years ago. Almost all Americans say they view their local library as an important education resource.

The author discusses the need for libraries to improve the digital services they offer. He claims that there are many people who are not getting library service in some of the places they inhabit. The author adds that when users can be almost anywhere at once, the library must be there to meet them, on their own terms. He asserts that libraries have to be better online, more compelling, more efficient and more effective to attract, serve and keep users.

The article reports that many libraries are now phasing out their print journal collections as more and more become available online. However, database publishers still have not managed to recreate the experience of browsing journals in a reading room. The best journals in a specific subject area may be scattered across several databases, requiring time and effort to track them down. Information on emerging technologies to address this issue are presented.

The article discusses new services offered by the University of Washington, Seattle Public Library, and King County Library System. Apart from visiting these libraries in person, users can now access them through the libraries' websites. The author says each of these libraries gives great service and represents high levels of professionalism and innovation.

The article discusses the findings of a study conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee. The study found that more than 73% of libraries report they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities. It was also found that thousands of libraries across the country also have reached, or are nearing, their maximum capacity for space.

The article reports that Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the 2006 Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, is traveling the U.S. in honor of September's observance of Library Card Signup Month, which carries the theme "The Smartest Card. Get it. Use it. At your library." He is featured on an ALA Graphics Read poster that is available for purchase at the ALA Store.