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The article discusses the changes in public libraries as of June 2021. Topics covered include ways libraries are engaging with patrons, critical role of both public libraries and their higher education counterparts in helping their communities have access to technology throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and automated solution offered by LaptopsAnytime to the challenge faced by librarians during the pandemic.

The article presents an overview of the impact that a global recession and a challenging economic situation in the United States is having on the services that U.S. libraries are being asked to provide to library patrons, and in particular to unemployed library patrons, in 2009. A discussion of cases in which librarians have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to provide additional assistance to needy patrons is presented.

The article presents an overview of 13 cultural trends in the U.S. that libraries can use to reach library patrons. A discussion of the benefits that libraries can find from becoming involved with the social networking web site site Twitter, online reputation management tools and 11 other cultural trends is presented.

The article discusses the state of library services after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged the New Orleans Public Library's main and branch buildings. Flooding destroyed books and other materials, evacuation caused staffing shortages, and lack of funds impede the rebuilding efforts. Overall, however, library administrators and employees are optimistic that they will be better than before and the community is grateful for whatever services is has.. INSET: Beyond the City.

Comments on library blogs. Potential of blogs for promoting library services to the community; Question of how to compel readers to return regularly to the library blog; Observation that there is a technology available to feed blog postings directly into courseware sites; Author's experience starting up a blog for his library; Ways to interest students in reading blog content; Suggestions for successful blogging; Reasons for optimism about library blogs. INSET: Tips for Successful Blogging.

Discusses how libraries can offer the community the information its patrons need. How the majority of community information services fall into two main categories, which are online community directories and community calendars; Way that libraries use their integrated library system (ILS) to manage their community information; Comparison between ILS and homegrown systems; Assertion that calendars require more hands on attention; Encouragement of community members to share their expertise and interests with their neighbors; Need for libraries to question how they present community information. INSETS: Weigh the Decision: ILS vs. Homegrown;Create a calendar if your library...;Buy a calendar package if your library....

Focuses on the attraction of Internet and computer access for library patrons in the United States. Findings of the assessment of the Library Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Issue of defining the digital divide; Increase in workload and work-related stress for library staff from increased patronage since the installation of computers; Details of the 'Gates Model' library program; Outreach to the poor and in urban areas.

Focuses on selecting library materials for a Spanish-language parenting collection in the United States. Highlights a selection of resources that are available as of September 2000 in the categories of books, audio- and videocassettes, pamphlets, and periodicals; Books such as 'Your Pregnancy Week by Week' or 'Su embarazo semana a semana.'

The author offers opinions on libraries. It is stated that libraries should become platforms for development of ideas based on the principles of the platforms used to create open source computer software. The principal difficulty seen in creating such a library-based platform is said to be balancing the value of its usage data against the privacy rights of its library users.

The article presents a discussion of the changing format of book groups since the advent of electronic book readers and ebooks. The author says that although the format of books has changed, what is unchanged is that readers love to discuss books with other readers. She relates how libraries are using online book discussions to attract new users and designing book groups to fit a particular community's needs. She concludes that libraries and books continue to have a powerful effect on society. INSET: Book Groups as Therapy.

Reports the results of the 2002 annual book-buyings survey of public libraries in the United States by this periodical, 'Library Journal.' Data on library budgets and circulation; Discussion of meeting patron demand for and tastes in literature; Importance of promoting programs in the community to attract patrons; Topic of book discussion groups; Spanish-language collections; Popularity of fiction; Indication that adult nonfiction use is being replaced by the Internet; Use of online bookstores such as Amazon.

Focuses on developing teen Internet train-the-trainer programs in libraries. Tips for building a curriculum, including the identification of what patrons need to be taught; Skills that the teens will need in customer service, Internet searching tools, and steps in the research process; How to keep the volunteer program working to give library users skills they need to access the Internet.

The article discusses the problems that are sometimes associated with library patrons' visits to library facilities as of 2016, and it provides advice on how library employees can improve library usability and desirability. Computer access and printing issues at libraries are addressed, along with user experiences and customer service. The rewriting of a library's website content is examined, along with authenticity and the efforts to fulfill the wishes of community members.

The article considers U.S. public libraries which have received Five Star ratings for their quantity of services from the publication in its annual surveys of public libraries every year from 2009-2012. Libraries cited for this accomplishment including the public libraries of Bernardsville, New Jersey, Centerville, South Dakota and Naperville, Illinois.

The article presents an overview of the impact that a struggling U.S. economy is having on the budgets of U.S. libraries and on the importance of good customer services in libraries. In the article the author offers his opinions on the importance of providing good customer services and suggests that libraries need to increase their efforts to provide unique and meaningful services to customers. INSET: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SHOW US YOUR BEST DESIGN DECISIONS.

The article discusses the relationship between sustainable libraries and their patrons in the U.S. Topics discussed include role of libraries in empowering and energizing their users through services, libraries' support to the local community and participation in the localism movement, and how libraries can strengthen the social fabric.

The article provides a case study illustrating a situation in which teenagers in a public library were causing a disruption through abusing the internet, playing video games, and being loud. The question on whether to kick the disruptive party out of the library, or to allow them to stay because it is a community institution which welcomes everyone, is addressed. Two librarians offer analysis on this difficult situation.

Looks at the latest in consumer software and electronics, and their implications for librarians. Argument that video games have serious implications for learning, information production, sharing and retrieval; How libraries are starting to include gaming nights or tournaments, as well as circulating video games to patrons; Sophistication of gaming technology; Outlook for the release of three new machines, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution; Online connectivity; Role of high definition; Why users are attracted to individual machines; All-in-one media devices; Storage.

This article looks at a citizen's group effort to remove books with gay content from the children and young adult sections of the Montgomery County Memorial Library System in Conroe, TX. It's another chapter in the ongoing controversy in this fast-growing county outside Houston, where in 2003 library director Jerilynn Williams won the PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award for fighting attempts at censorship by establishing a new reconsideration committee, involving five staff members and five citizens with experience working with children or youth.The group Library Patrons of Texas debuted a web site in late July, listing and excerpting 119 children's and juvenile books it would like to see moved to the adult section or to a new adults-only section. Most requests, Williams said, have been to move books to an area with adults-only access. "We don't have that. So we go back to asking parents to be responsible and acknowledge that only the parent can make the choice for their child," she said. "Not every book is appropriate for every single person, but every person should have their book. We have an extremely diverse population, and there are some individuals who do not seem to recognize that diversity has to be addressed in the public library."

The author discusses how public library patrons sometimes have strong opinions about the way their libraries should be run. Topics include why library personnel often view this as interference by the public, why it is actually a positive sign of serious support for the library which can be used as leverage in budget proposals, and the example of the New York Public Library (NYPL) renovation plan reversal.

The article discusses free resources that collect and analyze data for libraries to determine what their communities both want and need. Topics include how these resources can assist libraries with limited budgets in making informed acquisitions decisions, how resources such as Community Connect from Civic Technologies allows librarians to see data for the whole community, and resources for primary research and surveys.

The author discusses what is considered to be appropriate behavior in libraries as of May 2014, offering details of his experience bathing in a public library bathroom. Human reactions to new ideas which challenge widespread assumptions and the consideration of the surrounding community when evaluating new library initiatives are discussed.

The article discusses content provided on library websites, offering suggestions on what content areas libraries should focus their websites on. Topics include focusing efforts on library services that patrons will use and benefit from, the use of email newsletters sent to patrons, and tips on building the relationship between patrons and the library.

The article discusses user experience (UX), or customer satisfaction, in libraries as of March 2014, with a recommendations on how librarians can improve the design of a library's services and systems, which the author calls "designwashing," and customer service. Topics include the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) user services, the use of jargon, and community-aligned programs and services.

The article looks at public libraries in the U.S. as of 2014, focusing on library users and on libraries' efforts to reach out to their communities. It cites a study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project on attitudes about public libraries. Innovative programs created by the public libraries in Traverse City and Ann Arbor, Michigan, are noted, and digital technology and virtual programs are discussed.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Protect Thy Patrons" by Rebecca Miller, "The Library as Catalyst for Civic Engagement" by Bill Ptacek, and "Delivering the Library" by Bob Warburton.

The author talks about changes in library program planning. He states that public programs have been a staple for American library services for some time and suggests the popularity and growth of new programs in libraries have forced librarians to develop new methods to create and deliver library programs. He comments on the need to consider current demands of the public in program planning and how new programs brings new people to libraries which increases pressure to restore library budgets.

The author reflects on problems libraries are having with electronic books (ebook) and electronic content and suggests libraries need to offer other services to users. He states that digital content access is being solved without libraries and suggests competing with ebook providers defines libraries by something they're not good at. He comments on the use of user experience research such as user interviews to determine what library users need and talks about community-responsive services.

Information about the Salzburg Global Seminar program "Libraries and Museums in an Era of Participatory Culture" held October 19-23, 2011, which discussed how to encourage user participation at libraries and museums, is presented Topics discussed include dropping library and museum fees, engaging the community in digitizing community records and heritage, and the importance of making users feel valued.

This article reports on the roles of patrons and their communities in developing successful library experiences. The article discusses how librarians can learn about their community through understanding user demographics, interests, and patterns. Information is also provided on how library staff members can observe users in the library setting and examine their findings.

In this article, the author presents information about some resources that libraries might use to enlarge and enhance their game offerings. The article presents information about using game hobby shops for their specialist knowledge. The author suggests that library personnel visit game hobby shops and speak with the clerks and manager about the most popular games locally and which are the easiest to learn for non-hobbyists.

In this article the author argues for the importance of positive library user experience. He suggests that librarians conduct user interviews as a means of discerning the needs of patrons, and offers step-by-step instructions for how to do so. He notes that librarians can apply the information gathered during interviews to alter library services.

The article focuses on results from the study called "Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2006-2007," which revealed that public libraries face challenges in providing free Internet access in communities. The study was conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Information is given for the lack of electrical outlets and space problems.

The article presents an editorial on the lack of media attention on the plight of public libraries across the U.S. The author urges librarians and library users to make a stronger case to illustrate the role of public libraries in communities, which would hopefully result in more attention and funding.

Presents an editorial regarding the library's role of providing books that are popular as well as providing books that are edifying. Changes made to libraries due to community demand, demographics and new technology; Ability of library users to search for books and other materials from their homes; Modes of library collection development; Claim that public libraries order books that will please their communities.

Examines the author's opinion of what he considers inappropriate library behaviors. Dictionary definition of library; Why he believes we as a community have lost sight of that definition; Pornography as reading material; Atypical library patron behavior; Library as a refuge for the homeless.

Reports that visits to libraries in England and Wales have declined by 17 percent since the 1990s and loans have declined by almost a quarter, according to an Audit Commission study. Indication that core services have been neglected while there is an increased Internet use; Role of book superstores in eroding library usage; Recommendations, including an increase in library publicity and library hours suited to local use.

Editorial. Discusses the need for library service and how politicians regularly cut library budgets in the United States. Topic of the impact of library budget cuts on library service; View that library users can convince politicians that libraries are needed; Importance of direct library communication with the media and with elected officials.

Focuses on the role of the librarian, Internet technology, and patron service. Trend in librarianship of moving toward the private-sector, market-driven models of salable service; View that librarians are not customer service centers; Plan for consolidating library services into the virtual domain called www.librariansknow.org; Reasons that patrons should be taught to trust and rely on librarians in their home-based institutions.

Editorial. Focuses on the attitudes of library users toward public libraries, and discusses the idea that some users feel a sense of ownership toward their libraries. View that academic libraries should build strong loyalties to the institutions they are part of; Thoughts on the opinions of taxpayers that local public libraries belong to them; Opinions on how libraries should view their success in terms of library user attitudes; Situation in which a community protested the closing of an older library building.

Reports on the efforts of Multnomah County Library to keep open its Old Town Reading Room in Portland, Oregon. Way that the Reading Room provides services for homeless and low-income library users; Efforts of volunteers to keep the Reading Room staffed; Need of the library for funding to keep the Reading Room open; Donations by a private donor and the Junior League Community Assistance Fund to keep the room open until June of 1989.