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This article describes the public computing center project initiated by the Charles County Public Library (CCPL) in Maryland to address the nation's digital divide. It also discusses public computer and broadband Internet access as a popular service offered by public libraries, the challenges of expanding public computer and broadband access in a library system, and the assumptions and opportunities that have guided the project. The article also details how a public computer center works and outlines the benefits of the effort.

This section of the book "Library and Book Trade Almanac" explores the relationship between special networking sites and libraries across the globe. It discusses the use of social networking sites by public, special, school and academic libraries as Web 2.0 tools. It looks at the features offered by Facebook.com, Twitter.com and MySpace.com to libraries, including the ability to communicate with library users.

The article reports on the development of an online catalog by the Slater Public Library in Slater, Iowa. The library used machine-readable cataloging (MARC) subject fields to create an online catalog which would be useful to patrons looking for accessible materials for early elementary children. Cataloging materials involves various factors including publisher-provided information and experience of cataloging librarian.

This article presents results of a survey on how Indiana's public libraries allow the citizens they serve access to the Internet. From the survey responses, it is clear that many Indiana libraries follow the national trend in restricting patrons on their use of public computers. However, a few of the responding libraries hold different perspectives. While some library managers feel it is within their purview to set limitations, others insist that patrons be responsible for themselves. Some librarians believe they must uphold their community's conservative values and use filtering software, others view filtering as intrusive and unnecessary. Staff members at public libraries contend with First Amendment issues on a daily basis. To help them deal with these difficult issues, it is important to provide up-to-date information on new filtering software and to discuss what software can and cannot do. It is also important to determine the Internet usage needs of library patrons and to discuss ways to facilitate their needs while preserving library policies. While it is apparent that no single policy could possibly serve all the needs of the varied public libraries in Indiana, further research and discussion about which policies work and why would benefit both libraries and patrons.

The residents of King Country, Washington, who turn to the justice system for help face many challenges. They must overcome barriers linked to information and legal literacy, economic limits, and access to computers and the Internet. There's been an explosion of available resources on the Web, but many come to the King County Law Library for help because they do not have Internet access at home. In Washington, county law libraries derive their authority from the state Legislature and operate as special districts. As a public law library, we provide access to legal information to judges, government officials, attorneys, and members of the general public.We believed that opening a training center would accomplish a number of goals and objectives, including fulfilling goals in the library's strategic and technological plans to enhance the role of the library's staff as teachers and trainers, to provide a setting for formal and informal learning opportunities geared to the needs of self-represented litigants, and to make the resources of the library's Web site available for patrons to use in-house as well as from remote locations.

Focuses on the provision of Internet access for children and teenagers through public libraries in the United States. Attitude of children toward the Internet; Problems with Internet access for children; Recommended Web sites and search engines for children and teenagers.

The article offers information on the Special Libraries Association (SLA) 2018 Annual Conference that was held in Baltimore, Maryland from June 9-13 featuring the participation of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Topics discussed include services from the Library of Congress (LC), library security and the role of the public in library administration.

This section offers information on several online articles on the need for computer laboratories in libraries. One discussed on the need for computer labs in educational institutions despite the heavy use of technology by students. Another focused on the MaintainIT Project, a 3-year project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which gathers technology success stories from public libraries. One introduced WebJunction, a website which provide assistance to librarians in libraries that provide public computer access.

Reports that Jones e-global library, Inc. has created a line of 'Life and Leisure' research guides developed to address the needs of public librarians and their patrons. Topics for consumers in the guides, including leisure, health, life events, and personal business; Research guides which are being developed, including a guide to arts and crafts.

The article focuses on the concerns arising in the development of Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). It relates on various questions regarding the DPLA concept which include the disagreement in the type of collections of works, a free library access, and a user interface to users. Moreover, DPLA's steering committee such as DPLA head John Palfrey and the Library of Congress must deal with publishers for access on reasonable terms by not making violations on copyright like orphaned works.

The article focuses on the county public library cooperative at Pinellas County, Florida. The Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, which has evolved over time into an entity that provides coordination for activities, funding and marketing, now offers a library card that can be used at any library in the county. It features the Pinellas Automated Library System, which lets users browse or search through the collections of all 15 member libraries, select or reserve materials, and have them sent to a library convenient to them.

Reports on the Global Librarian, an international partnership of enterprising public libraries in Canada and the United Kingdom to provide local citizens with personal online access to reference staff. Public libraries that make up the partnership; Information on the libraries; Goal of the partnership.

Reports that OCLC has announced that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded it a three-year grant to build a Web-based public access computing portal for public libraries and other organizations that provide open access to information. Design of the portal; Areas served by content; Benefits of this portal to librarians.

The article reports that the San Antonio Public Library has selected The CARL System as its new automation vendor. The system is scheduled to be operational by late fall and will connect 500 terminals at the Central Library, 17 branches, two bookmobiles and the Hertzberg Circus Museum. Between now and fall, more than 404,000 titles, 1.8 million library holdings and 500,000 patron records must be converted from the old CLSI system to the new. A new Central Library is also under construction and will be ready in May 1995. The installation will include new central site computer hardware supporting the PAC, circulation, bibliographic maintenance, serials and acquisitions, electronic mail, Internet access, the Kid's Catalog and Everybody's Catalog. With the Spanish versions and new automation system, San Antonio Public Library is positioning itself so that all customers will have easy access to library services.

The article states that TeleCirc is integrated with the Dynix system to read up-to-the-minute circulation information to patrons. This product was developed in conjunction with Prince William Public Library System, Virginia that also served as a beta test site. Two Dynix libraries are serving as beta test sites for TeleCirc, the first interactive voice messaging system that supports both inbound and outbound voice messaging via touch tone phone. Printed notification of overdue items is replaced by TeleCirc's dial-out notification. TeleCirc calls patrons on a schedule determined by the library and allows them to renew overdue items and cancel or confirm items on hold. TeleCirc also allows patrons to call into the library to get a list of items they have on loan, on hold, or overdue. If permitted by library policy, patrons can also renew items, cancel holds, and find out their total fines owed. Libraries can personalize various TeleCirc options, including adjustable speaking speed and voices, and create a combination of inbound or outbound lines.