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The article discusses the online offerings by public libraries in the U.S. in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic in summer of 2020. Topics covered include the move by Scottsville Library in Scottsville, Virginia to go virtual with its programming according to branch manager Megan England, the main goal at the Normal (Illinois) Public Library to make sure that young patrons keep reading this summer, and common concern among librarians who are trying to keep summer programs afloat strictly online.

The article focuses on programming ideas from several U.S. librarians and libraries to promote library use among tweens, the children from eight to 12 years of age. Topics covered importance for librarians to know the likes and interests of tweens, popularity of hands-on activities like making slime and do-it-yourself sewing, service-oriented programs that promote humanitarianism and charitable work, and examples of successful programs for tweens.

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 deals with the growing number of schools and libraries in the U.S. that create escape rooms, the rooms that allow groups of players to work together in solving puzzles. Topics covered include escape room kits sold by Breakout EDU, Harry Potter-themed room created by Robin Papaleka for the users of Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the amount spent by librarians in setting up escape rooms.

The article discusses the relevance of baby-friendly card policies in U.S. public libraries. It states that these policies encourage literacy and library use from birth, according to a survey of librarians via library listservs and social media. Hannah Killian, youth services manager at the Dauphin County Library Sytems, also says having these policies would remove the barriers to library access, with babies benefiting from reading starting at birth.

The author reflects on key library and technology issues facing the American Library Association (ALA) and its divisions. Remarks from Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) speaker Cen Campbell on technology issues facing young library users are included. Particular focus is given to the American Academy of Pediatrics' advocacy. Also discussed are changes and digitization issues facing today's school librarians.

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 editor reflects on Internet filtering in libraries, with particular focus given to the impact of filtering in children's libraries. Connections are drawn between filtering and collection development and the effect of limiting access to information in libraries is explored. The editor also discusses problems connected to unfiltered Internet access, U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Internet filters in libraries, and the importance of developing polices concerning acceptable Internet use.

The article reports on a political debate between the Illinois Family Institute, which is pushing for a law to require filtering software on all public library computers in the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Library Association, which opposes the law. Eight libraries are reported to have shut off their internet services entirely in protest against the proposed law, which they believe is unnecessary and unduly burdensome.

The article looks at library fines. The Columbus, Ohio, Metropolitan Library surveyed their young patrons and discovered that many of the teenagers were avoiding the library because they could not afford to pay their library fines. The author suggests teaching teenagers about library overdue charges, reminding them about items that are due via email, and offering teenagers a chance to work off fines by volunteering, cleaning books, or reading aloud to small children.

Focuses on a Web site of the School Information Partnership (SIP), which provides information on the academic performance of schools in the U.S. Background on a federal education mandate that requires the reporting of student academic performance in public; Benefits of the Web site to library users; Update on the contents of the Web site as of September 2004.

Reports on the plans of legislators in Montgomery County, Maryland, to propose a county law that authorizes librarians to ban disruptive patrons from library premises for 90 days or less as of May 1, 2004. Clause wished to be added by Stephen Block, an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union, to the proposed bill; Reasons for the barring of patrons according to Harriet Henderson, director of the Montgomery County Library; Number of patrons who were asked to leave the library in 2003.

Reports on a lawsuit filed by library users in Dickson County, Tennessee against the county over threats to remove children's books from the Dickson County Public Library. Number of books that will be removed from the library's collection; Reason for filing the lawsuit; Decision of the office of the county commission tor educe the budget of the public library.

Presents the opinions of the author about Internet filtering software that limits online access for students. Percent of Web sites that are blocked by the filters; Number of Web sites related to sexual health that are inaccessible; Opinion that filters cannot eliminate student access to Internet pornography and that when filters are at their most restrictive levels, relevant and essential student information is lost; Belief that filters should not prevent librarians from helping students find information; Discussion of who should control to what degree filters are set; Examination of filters in North Dakota and Pennsylvania.

Focuses on the workshops held by Alan Watts, a software and computer game designer, to teach young library users at Austin Public Library in Texas, about creating computer games. Overview of the workshop; Steps in creating computer games; Source of fund for the workshop.

Details how the Georgetown Township Library devised a unique response to a Michigan law authorizing library boards to restrict minor's Internet access to obscene material. Requirement of the law that libraries offer unfiltered access to adults; Cost of an unfiltered computing per hour.

Reports that 16-year-old Burklin Nielsen has been vindicated of the bar from using the Internet in her school in Minnesota. Reason for being barred from using the school's Internet; Comments from Nielsen; Attention gained from Minnesota lawmakers.

Reports on news in libraries across the United States. Public libraries that have Internet access; Northeastern University which is seeking librarian reviewers; Elementary school that ran out of money before buying enough books for the library.

Reports that the American Library Association issued an alert about regulations concerning access and patron behavior. District court ruling in the Kreimer v. Morristown case that the policy of the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown, New Jersey violated the First Amendment; Comment of ALA president Patricia Glass that access to information is not a homeless issue; Effort of the Freedom to Read Foundation to support intellectual freedom issues.

Reports that one month after the Oak Lawn Public Library, Illinois, board of trustees voted to allow parents to restrict their children from access to adult materials, a second vote resulted in a setback for the policy. Reaction of librarians to the vote to rescind; Community support for the library; Issues of access restriction.

Discusses a report released by the U.S. Department of Education Statistics detailing services for children. Preliminary results that were published 'School Library Journal'; Libraries that conduct summer reading programs; Percentage of libraries that deny computer access to children; Children's librarians.

Criticizes the code of conduct devised by a group of young adult librarians in Ohio which is directed solely towards its young adult patrons. Discriminatory nature of the document; Acceptance by most librarians in the state of the idea behind the formulation of the code of conduct; Negative effect on young adult users of libraries. INSET: Code of Conduct..

Reports that Bruce Babbit, governor of Arizona, has signed into law legislation that protects the confidentiality of users of publicly supported libraries. Contents of the Privacy of User Records House Bill 2317; Procedures for handling cases in which user information may be released; Similarity of the legislation with the American Library Association's 'Confidentiality of Library Patron Records.'