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The article discusses the effort by libraries in the U.S. to provide the experience of serendipitous discovery through book bundles and grab bags in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. Topics include the options offered by the Madison (Wisconsin) Public Library (MPL) to meet patrons' specifications, the book bundling service developed primarily by Marie Cannon, head of circulation at the Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts and benefits from book bundles and grab bags.

The article discusses the horror genre of literature specifically appealing to teenagers. Several readers' advisory and reference sources which focus on horror novels and graphic novels are discussed. Recommendations on collection development and presenting new titles to young adult library patrons are included.

The article discusses ConnectED, a U.S. federal initiative designed to improve Internet connection at school and libraries, and how school librarians should plan to use faster broadband. Particular attention is given to applications of broadband to community and concurrency, as the author suggests that better connections can improve community involvement at libraries as well as improve real time communication across distances.

The author reflects on the role of electronic books in libraries, including school libraries. He presents seven ways school librarians can learn more about electronic books: buying an electronic book reader such as a Sony Reader or Kindle; starting a collection of electronic books and including them in lesson plans; and talking with book publishers, vendors, and distributors to find ways to bring electronic books to library patrons.

The author considers the usefulness of online public access catalogs (OPAC) to library users. It is suggested that OPACs should be more user-friendly and the author outlines several ways in which library catalogs can be made more accessible. These include translating catalog data into terms that library users understand, making books more easily accessible via OPACs, and fostering a sense of community around library collections. The Fish4Info open-source library portal is referenced.

Present news briefs on library reading and research as of February 2002. Information on African-American history from BrainQuest, the Black History edition; Sponsorship of a bill by U.S. Representative Karen McRae (R-N.H.) that would give parents permission to check their children's online reading at local libraries.