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The article focuses on the decision of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina to move to a model of the so-called unified services, in which any staff member at any service point can offer the same level of basic service to library customers. It notes that unified services approach enables customers to check out materials from any service point in the library. According to the author, the said approach is an effective strategy for coping the loss of staff positions through attrition.

The article discusses steps to make a library staff obtain, deploy and troubleshoot any incoming new technology. The author suggests letting the staff know as early as possible the introduction of the new technology in order to give them time to adjust. Explaining to the staff that the incoming technology will aid the library in its goals is also suggested. Getting the staff involved by making them find ways to advertise the new technology to the reading public is another suggestion.

The author discusses ways to reach users outside libraries. She suggests using instant messaging other than e-mailing to have that immediate back-and-forth in person interaction, and offers ways to establish it that include using a widget. For a more extensive system, the author suggests LibraryH3lp, a program designed to merge multiple accounts from a variety of services in a single online location and embeds widgets for web pages for simultaneous chat sessions with users. She also recommends practicing before releasing the system to users.

The article presents technical help for librarians on how to make libraries more welcoming to patrons who speak limited or no English. Software support for multiple languages is described for Microsoft, Apple, and Linux operating systems. The author looks at two aspects of languages and Internet use: the capabilities of Internet browsers and how websites display non-Western alphabets. Suggestions are offered on using online translation tools to make library signs and PC browser homepages for different languages. The author notes the value of knowing the library staff's language competencies and keeping up to date with contact information for libraries around the world. The article also includes a list of links to useful resources.

The article reflects on the challenges that the librarians faced with regard to public access computing. It addresses the problems posed by troubleshooting and the lack of workstations. It presents suggestions to enable patrons to use their own wireless computers in libraries. It offers tips on providing more workstations without breaking the library's budget.

Focuses on V-Link/LIB, Veicon Technology Inc.'s Internet access device which was specifically designed for library patrons. Library management provided by V-Link/LIB; Terminals which require little maintenance and provide greater security than other PC-based Internet stations.

Reports on the announcement by Computers By Design Inc. of the first-quarter release of an upgraded version of CybraryN. Description of the public-access control solution; Improvements from the old version; An Educational Discount Program, which is a pricing structure designed to help libraries and schools; Source; Web site.

The article highlights articles published in various periodicals related to library science. In his article published in Computers in Libraries, Michael Sauers provides a framework for writing policies for public-access wireless networks. He provides the components of a policy set up by the Smoky Hill branch of the Arapahoe Library District in Colorado. In the March/April issue of Online, editor Marydee Ojala outlines the search capabilities of Google Book Search. In her article published in Searcher, Paula Berinstein addresses the central question that concerns information professionals: reliability.

Announces the release of Sirsi Digital Heritage Room, a product that allows libraries to preserve images and documents while increasing the availability of these materials to library users. Use of a single CollectionPak for the digitalization and presentation of images and documents; Searchability of metadata such as newspapers, journals, diaries, and photographs; How the product can store and retrieve multimedia formats such as WAV, MOV, and RealAudio.