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Reports on the architectural library projects of 1989 for academic libraries, public libraries and libraries in progress. Project names, locations, costs and all other pertinent project data; Additions, renovations, new buildings; View that thought must be given to the preservation of library buildings, in light of the destruction of libraries by earthquakes and hurricanes; Mention of the Medgar Evers College Library of the City University of New York in Brooklyn; Projects which have sought to provide access to physically challenged patrons and staff.

Reports that the Nassau County Library System, in New York City, offered its patrons free Internet access from home during a brief period in 1998. Costs involved; Features of the Internet access site.

The article discusses how the New York Public Library (NYPL) in New York City and the Chicago Public Library (CPL) in Chicago, Illinois have implemented wireless Internet hot spot lending programs. Topics include how the libraries received funding from the Knight Foundation, how this will serve low-income households and will assist in both child and adult education, and includes comments from Tony Marx, NYPL executive and Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago.

Reports on the launch of free Wi-Fi Internet access at branch locations in New York City by the New York Public Library. Benefit of the initiative to patrons with their own wireless-equipped laptops; Financier of the Wi-Fi service.

Presents news briefs related to libraries. Rejection by the Minneapolis, Minnesota Library board's finance committee of a plan to close four branches; Bill that the Washington State Senate passed that would require filters on all public library Internet terminals; donation by Brooklyn, New York native S. Stevan Dweck of $1.5 million to the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) Foundation's Plaza and Auditorium Project at BPL's Central Library; Other news.

Notes the success in 1990 of the New York Public Library's (NYPL) annual presentation of Books To Remember, a program highlighting titles from the preceding year deemed outstanding by a committee of library employees. Titles which were selected by the committee, including "The House of Morgan," by Ron Chernow; Presentation of the committee's final selections to NYPL librarians, with Chernow, Howard Fast, and Samuel Freedman in attendance; Perception that the books chosen by the librarians will be popular with readers.

Editorial. Argues that librarians should not be afraid to give out legal advice to patrons. Perception that library users have a difficult time getting answers to legal questions from reference librarians; Thoughts on the New York Public Library Telephone Reference service and the service at the Brooklyn Public Library; Discussion of librarian behavior and how librarians relate to library users.

Editorial. Comments on the reaction of librarians to the efforts of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to get information on what certain library users were reading or borrowing. Observation that librarians became angry when the FBI director suggested that librarians who did not cooperate with the agency were unpatriotic; Discussion of a speech made by New York Public Library President John Brademas concerning the so-called subversion in libraries; View that U.S. citizens should be allowed to oppose the government while loving the country; Opinion that libraries are important in strengthening and supporting democracy.

Presents library-related news briefs as of October 15, 1989. Details of an incident involving a patron who refused to pay a late fee at a public library in Queens, New York City; Quotation from an editorial written by Tim Healy of NYPL for the "New York Times" regarding the perils of government funding of the arts in the United States; Excerpt from the book "Falling Through Space," by Ellen Gilchrist.

Reports on the commitment of the Albert R. Mann Library at Cornell, Ithaca in New York to teach faculty and students to do their own computer searches of bibliographic databases.

Presents results of a survey which shows that the patrons of Queens Borough Public Library are satisfied with their library facilities and use them frequently. Demographics of the user population; Predominance of recreational reading.