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The article discusses the impact that self-serve and automation library services have on U.S. library patrons, librarians and other library staff. Topics, including the security of self-serve libraries, stakeholder engagement, cost effectiveness, the relationship between library administrators and staff and library users' attitudes toward automation in libraries, are discussed.

The article reports on readers' advisory services which suggest books based on tattoos of library users. it mentions several libraries who have started such programs, the use of the tattoos and the stories behind them to suggest books, and the libraries' plans to continue their programs.

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.

A calendar of events for library employees and users in the U.S. for March to July 2007 is presented. The National Library Workers Day is scheduled on April 17. The Music Library Association/Society for American Music Joint Conference will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "The American Twenties" exhibition of the University of Texas at Austin is on display until July 29.

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 the American Library Association's division of the Reference and User Services Association. Focus of the membership unit; Publications and committees; Representatives; Sections.

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 key findings of a survey of library user/non-user lifestyles in the United States. Activities, interests and opinions of male and female users and non-users; Negative correlates of library users and non-users.

Reports on the impact that AIDS has had on the library profession. Attitudes within the profession toward AIDS, HIV-positive people, and ARC (AIDS Related Complex) disease; Losses within the library profession due to AIDS; View that there is inadequate information for library users and staff; Obstacles to overcoming AIDS in the workplace; Comments from library employees on AIDS. INSETS: A personal note;Resolution on Freedom from AIDS Screening for Library Employees.

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 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 discusses developing inclusive spaces in the design of U.S. virtual and physical libraries, including so as to address inequality. The impact that inclusive spaces in libraries have on library patrons is discussed.

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.

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 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 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.

Explains that the increasing number of seniors visiting public libraries in the United States poses a number of challenges to librarians. Reason for the increase in the number seniors in the country; Sociological and psychological conditions of seniors which librarians must take into account in their interaction with them; Suggestions on how should librarians deal with senior patrons. INSET: Health Challenges for Seniors.

Focuses on concerns of library groups regarding the USA Patriot Act, anti-terrorism legislation that expands the United States government's powers. View that the measure threatens library users' privacy and First Amendment rights; Comments of Lynne Bradley of the American Library Association's (ALA) Washington Office; Excerpt from a statement issued by the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

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.

Discusses the author's experience as director of the Waukesha Public Library in Wisconsin. Visits by the state Attorney General Jim Doyle, United States Vice President Al Gore, and rock star Bon Jovi; How librarians can prepare for visiting dignitaries and their entourages; Advice for remaining flexible and having fun.

Reports on an ordinance passed by the Jefferson Parish Council in Louisiana which tightens penalties for viewing obscene or sexually explicit material on library computers. Possibility of a fine or jail sentence for those convicted; Procedure by which librarians are to report the patron, including confirmation by a co-worker that the material is offensive; Possibility that the ordinance will be argued against.

Focuses on the frustrations of Minnesota's Minneapolis Public Library workers in dealing with patrons who view sexually explicit Internet sites, which offend other patrons. Formation of a task force to define unacceptable patron behavior while online; Stance of library board and distrust of Internet filters.

Presents questions and answers concerning library science in the U.S. Publication of a guidebook for library users; Developments in library audiovisual materials; Use of library reference cards and list of library materials.

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.

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.

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 author comments on the duty of school librarians in the U.S. He reflects on his experiences of being the upper school head librarian at the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. He discusses the classification of books by school librarians. In addition, the author describes the poor relationship between librarians and student library users.

The article reports that the Williamsburg (Ohio) Regional Library has screened the January 20, 2009 inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama in its theater space. Patrons of the library like Michelle Green enjoyed the historic moment with her friend Cynthia McGrath. They were among thousands of people who flocked to public and academic libraries across the country to witness the event among community members.

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 article discusses the findings of a survey conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Florida State University. According to the survey, public library visits increased by 61% between 1994 and 2004, largely driven by the need for technology. People come to the library because it is often the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in the community. Total circulation also rose 28% in the same 10 years, with children's materials leading the pack at 4.4%.

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.

The article reports that the American Library Association (ALA) has joined a group of organizations to launch a campaign against the Real ID national identification system of the U.S. The groups believe that Real ID would create a false belief that it is secure and unforgeable. ALA president-elect Loreine Roy says the ALA has expressed concern about standardized machine-readable driver's licenses and national identification cards because of the potential privacy implications for library users.

The article reports on the increase in the number of visits to public libraries in the U.S. between 1994 and 2004, according to data released by the American Library Association (ALA). Data from the 2007 State of America's Libraries report states that there were nearly two billion visits to U.S. libraries in fiscal year 2004. The report adds that virtually every U.S. library provides free public computer access to the Internet.

This article discusses the use of podcasting by U.S. libraries to reach their patrons. Some libraries are starting to use podcasting to empower teenage patrons. Other libraries are also working to engage teenagers in creative web-based endeavors. Denver Public Library in Colorado sponsored a contest where teenagers would create videos on YouTube about how they had fun at the library.

The article presents several resources from the Members of the Reference and User Services Association, to serve retirees in the U.S. The Library Services to Older Adults Guidelines outline how to integrate services to older adults. The Libraries, Older Adults, and Technology 2007 American Libraries Association Annual preconference is scheduled for June 22, 2006. The online course Readers' Advisory 101 is also offered.

Comments on issues related to the library profession in the U.S. as of March 2006. Advice for helping customers access library services through search-engine results; Impact of search engines on the profession.

The article presents the results of several surveys related to library use in the U.S. There has been a decline in reading and library use since people began using the Internet, according to a survey commissioned by OCLC. Improper storage are endangering millions of irreplaceable artifacts based on a report released by Heritage Preservation and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Presents a narrative of the author's experience with two of the poorest patrons using the author's library's financial resources section. Impact of the proposed privatization of Social Security on public libraries in the U.S.; Questions commonly asked by patrons using the financial resources section; Interest shown by library patrons in financial matters; Shock at the discovery of the true financial wealth of these two particular patrons.

Presents news related to library and censorship in the U.S. as of June 2006. Passage of a resolution asking public libraries to confine homosexually-themed books and other age-inappropriate material to areas exclusively for adult access and distribution in Oklahoma; Resolution of the Hillsborough County Commission in Florida to modify the DVD acquisition policy of Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System; Decision of the Public library of Enid and Garfield County, Oklahoma to ban library patrons from using chat rooms.