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In the fall of 2004, the Academic Computing Center, a division of the Information Technology Services Department (ITS) at Minnesota State University, Mankato took over responsibility for the computers in the public areas of Memorial Library. For the first time, affiliated Memorial Library users were required to authenticate using a campus username and password, a change that effectively eliminated computer access for anyone not part of the university community. This posed a dilemma for the librarians. Because of its Federal Depository status, the library had a responsibility to provide general access to both print and online government publications for the general public. Furthermore, the library had a long tradition of providing guest access to most library resources, and there was reluctance to abandon the practice. Therefore the librarians worked with ITS to retain a small group of six computers that did not require authentication and were clearly marked for community use, along with several standup, open-access computers on each floor used primarily for searching the library catalog. The additional need to provide computer access to high school students visiting the library for research and instruction led to more discussions with ITS and resulted in a means of generating temporary usernames and passwords through a Web form. These user accommodations were implemented in the library without creating a written policy governing the use of open-access computers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon findings from a national survey of U.S. public libraries, this paper examines trends in Internet and public computing access in public libraries across states from 2004 to 2006. Based on library-supplied information about levels and types of Internet and public computing access, the authors offer insights into the network-based content and services that public libraries provide. Examining data from 2004 to 2006 reveals trends and accomplishments in certain states and geographic regions. This paper details and discusses the data, identifies and analyzes issues related to Internet access, and suggests areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the results of a survey of library users at Pennsylvania's Penn State University following the introduction of free laser printing. Tendency of students' printing to focus on their curricular needs; Sensitivity to the issue of wasteful printing; Willingness to pay for printing.

Telephone interviews were conducted with 18 blind academic library users around the United States about their experiences using their library and its website. The study uses the perspective that blind users' insights are fundamental. A common theme was that navigating a webpage is time consuming on the first visit. Issues identified include the need for "databases" to be defined on the homepage, accessibly coded search boxes, logical heading structure, and several problems to be resolved on result pages. Variations in needs depending on users' screen-reader expertise were also raised. Suggestions for libraries to address these issues are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries' websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians' assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, blind users and librarians worked verbally without the screen reader. Users were appreciative of librarians' help but outcomes were not entirely positive. Other times, librarians worked with users to navigate with a screen reader, which sometimes led to greater independence. Some users expressed satisfaction with working with librarians verbally, particularly if websites did not seem screen reader user friendly, but many users preferred independence. Participants agreed it would be helpful if librarians knew how to use screen readers, or at least if librarians were familiar enough with screen readers to provide relevant verbal cues. Many users liked and used chat reference and many preferred Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) to learn citation style, though learning citation style was challenging. Questions such as reference librarians' role when eresources are not equally accessible deserve wider discussion in the library literature and in practice. Given the challenges described by the research participants and legal requirements for equally effective electronic and information technologies, libraries and librarians should approach reference services for blind users more proactively. Recommendations are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents study results concerning internet access in public libraries in New York, New York. Rights of the public to information; Statistics of households using the Internet; Significance for an educational training in the use of electronic resources.

The article focuses on the findings of a study funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which examined the technology use practices of teenagers, their social searching practices, and their use and nonuse of public and school libraries in the U.S. Topics discusses include perceptions of libraries and motivations for library use, such as social interaction and leisure opportunities and how to increase and improve the use and perceptions of school and public libraries.

The article discusses the legal and ethical responsibility of U.S. libraries to protect their patrons' privacy when employing a self-service hold, which enables a patron to access a public holds shelf for requested materials. It addresses the American Library Association's "Resolution to Protect Library User Confidentiality in Self-Service Hold Practices." The authors investigate the legal aspect of patrons' privacy rights in libraries, the prevalence of self-service holds in libraries in Michigan, and the rationale libraries use to determine whether or not to implement self-service hold shelves.

For-profit schools constitute the fastest-growing sector of higher education institutions in the United States.[1] Yet accompanying the phenomenal growth of these proprietary colleges and universities has been considerable controversy over the role that the profit motive should play in higher education.2 The literature of higher education contains increasingly more works about proprietary schools. The library literature, however, offers little in this arena. Through this article, the authors seek to introduce the library readership to U.S. for-profit colleges and universities. We summarize their history and their characteristics, and we explore reasons for their success and present areas in which these schools appear to excel. With regard to their library services and resources, we focus on issues of concern based specifically on our experience with academic libraries in proprietary schools operating in the state of Ohio. Finally, we suggest ways in which these for-profit institutions can address the challenges faced by their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the 2008 Guidelines for Library and Information Services to Older Adults. The guidelines were established by the American Library Association with the help of current and past members of the Committee on Library Service to an Aging Population and the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services Library Service to the Aging Subcommittee. The guidelines provides information on how to collect data about the older population and create programs aimed at their needs, how to incorporate the special needs and interests of older people into library services and how to make library facilities safe for this population segment.

The article presents the guidelines for library services to Spanish-speaking library users in the U.S. Factors such as nationality, regional differences and culture can increase the complexity of library services to Spanish-speaking users. Spanish-speaking communities in the country have different language skills and competencies in English and Spanish. Selection of Spanish language materials should follow the procedures for collection development. In order to understand the composition and needs of the target populations, create a profile of the Spanish-speaking communities the library intends to serve.

The article discusses advantages and disadvantages of common young adult (YA) models of service in public libraries in the United States. A survey of service models showed that eleven percent of all public libraries had the specific YA specialist title which was related to the size of those libraries as measured by the number of patrons per week. A service desk is important because it symbolizes the place where service may be expected on site. Young adults prefer licensed, full-text online databases accessible in the library or at home.

Reclassification was a popular trend during the 1960s and 1970s for many academic libraries wanting to change from Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) to Library of Congress (LC) Classification. In 2002, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's Morris Library changed from DDC to LC. If one academic library recently converted, might other DDC academic libraries consider switching, too? Conversely, for those academic libraries that remain with DDC, what are the reasons they continue with it? A survey of thirty-four DDC academic libraries in the United States and Canada determined what factors influence these libraries to continue using DDC, and if reclassification is something they have considered or are considering. The survey also investigated whether patrons of these DDC libraries prefer LC and if their preference influences the library's decision to reclassify. Results from the survey indicate that the issue of reclassification is being considered by some of these libraries even though, overall, they are satisfied with DDC. The study was unable to determine if patrons' preference for a classification scheme influenced a library's decision to reclassify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the library surveys of Internet users at Seton Hall University. Importance of the Internet in library services; Role of librarians in teaching Internet searching; Factors affecting satisfaction among library users.

The article discusses the character and scope of the regional group of the American Library Association as a reorganization has taken place. There are groups in every part of the U.S. and one in Canada where some individuals belong to both state and interstate groups. Library areas with heavy population and easy lines of communication can afford and profit by a higher level of organization than the less populated regions. It is important that in areas where there are libraries, there should be some regional groups that would hold a discussion about cataloging and related problems.

The article focuses on the collection of Spanish comics in American libraries. Graphic novels and comic books have contributed in attracting young patrons to libraries. Comic books serve different types of readers, including reluctant and gifted and adult readers. Several institutions have implemented projects to improve their comic collections and develop programs that work with comics. These projects are "Comicteca de la Biblioteca Regional de Murcia," "Biblioteca Tecla" and "Entre Viñtas".

The article offers information on the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Code for the U.S. Topics discussed include the ILL's purpose in obtaining materials requested by library users which are not available in the local library, the scope of the code in encouraging libraries in the U.S. to engage in ILL with libraries from other countries, and the responsibility of the supplying library in ensuring the library user's confidentiality.

In this article the author discusses diversity in a library setting. It is noted that U.S. libraries have met the challenge of diversification by adding to their collections and by diversifying their staff and programs in response to the needs of library users. Diversity measures undertaken by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are examined including an attempt to recruit more library personnel from diverse backgrounds, the establishment of the Diversity Taskforce, and the awarding of the YALSA Conference Scholarship.

The article offers several scenes from the book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," by Betty Smith which could be used by librarians as inspiration in serving young library patrons in the U.S. It mentions that the scenes show that the risk of diminished library services may have the greatest impact on the youngest library users in the country. It notes that library professionals must lobby politicians to acknowledge the significance of library services to all patrons particularly children. It cites suggestions from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to aid librarians in serving young patrons.

The article focuses on the information policies of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election candidates. The major library issues are the most important issues that were addressed to the candidates which should be included in their platforms. It notes the importance of access to information for all without taking into consideration the age, education, ethnicity language, income, physical limitations or geographic barriers. It suggests giving importance on the widespread and affordable broadband for libraries, the right to privacy of the library patron, the vital role of school library in education and Internet safety in education. Furthermore, details on the Memorandum of Agreement between Environmental Protection Agency and American Federation of Government Employees are also presented.

The article offers tips to new library managers on providing best library service to children and their caregivers in the U.S. According to the author, it is important that the new manager, on his first year of service, should meet with each library staff to begin establishing goals and expectations for the upcoming year as well as share his vision with the staff. She added that it is also best to learn the politics of place, communicate with the staff on patron issues, coach the staff, delegate responsibilities, and acknowledge the predecessor. It is advised that the manager read the policy manual, learn the library collection, and make casual conversations with parents and children in the library.