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The article focuses on the 2019 "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service based on the most recent findings from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Library Survey, Fiscal Year 2017. It discusses the addition of Wireless Fidelity sessions to the measures used to determine the Star Libraries in the U.S. It presents the number of libraries that retained their Star status and of those that lost theirs. It also describes the factors that affect the Star status of libraries.

The article discusses the development of an e-mail reminder system called Library Elf for library patrons that alerts them when an item is due. Requests for similar software updates have come in including patron reading lists and notices when books on these lists become available. Libraries worry that patron privacy will be compromised due to easy access to patron e-mail addresses and other personal information. Some patrons may feel the convenience outweighs the risks. INSETS: Privacy Issues;Polaris and Library ELF;Privacy Statues About Library Information.

The article discusses issues related to online research tools offered by libraries. Despite the marketing attempts by librarians, very few library patrons are using library databases. The author suggests that librarians should emphasize what patrons are missing by relying on the free Internet alone. Databases and vendors are also examined. INSETS: The Vendor Connection;Tips for Librarians.

Comments on library blogs. Potential of blogs for promoting library services to the community; Question of how to compel readers to return regularly to the library blog; Observation that there is a technology available to feed blog postings directly into courseware sites; Author's experience starting up a blog for his library; Ways to interest students in reading blog content; Suggestions for successful blogging; Reasons for optimism about library blogs. INSET: Tips for Successful Blogging.

In libraries with newly installed public access computers, patron numbers grew by nearly 25 percent in 2000 and 2002, with many of them new to libraries. They include home schoolers, travelers, and people from low-income families, who are much more likely to depend on library computers. This sampling of updated findings from the ongoing research on the U.S. Library Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation indicates the breadth and depth of the impact of this extensive gift to public libraries. These recent findings, combined with the early results of the program, demonstrate that the program's legacy is substantial. The largest gift to U.S. public libraries since that of Andrew Carnegie, the Gates Program will have brought computer "packages" into the majority of public libraries in all 50 states by the end of 2003. By then the contribution will total 40,000 computers since 1997 in about 10,000 eligible facilities. The program focused on libraries that serve populations where ten percent earn below the federal poverty line; it has reached into nearly every low-income area and isolated public library in America. The number of people in the United States who have at least limited access to computers and the Internet continues to grow, and large increases in the number of patrons at libraries--in some cases more than 100 percent--are part of this overall trend. These increases averaged 23 percent in the early states in 2000 and 24 percent in all the Gates states completed by mid-2002. Libraries provided access to a large number of low-income patrons. About half of adult library computer users have household incomes below $25,000, compared with 30 percent of the population of those states, according to the U.S. census. Internet use, library use, and public attitudes toward libraries as well as public access to computers have all changed positively since the Gates Program began. INSET: OCLC's Gates Portal Project.

Presents a listing and evaluation of news-oriented web sites that are appropriate for students to use in libraries. Details on the offerings of different sites including historical archives. INSET: Other sources.

Examines how the Internet has brought new duties and new organization structures to traditional library jobs. Realization that to meet customer needs, most staff have to be trained to provide resources in both traditional print and digital formats; Examples of how technology has changed the job titles of some librarians; Librarians as computer instructors; Areas in which librarians need help as technology trainers. INSETS: Julie James: Staying Curious;Projecting Librarians' Roles;The Value of Technologies.

Focuses on the attraction of Internet and computer access for library patrons in the United States. Findings of the assessment of the Library Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Issue of defining the digital divide; Increase in workload and work-related stress for library staff from increased patronage since the installation of computers; Details of the 'Gates Model' library program; Outreach to the poor and in urban areas.

Offers tips for making public Internet access systems in libraries stable. Choice of hardware; Suggestion for securing the operating system, which is usually a Windows program; Need for good product support to counter computer system failures; Caution in making changes to the basic input-output system (BIOS); Recommendation for the Netscape Navigator 4.08 standalone browser; Use of antivirus software and firewalls in public workstations; Backup for staff workstations; Details of the 'snapshot' concept.

The article reports on the IBM/ProQuest Internet & Homework Library in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, created to serve Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Located in a temporary building in the evacuee housing area of Renaissance Village, the shelter library provides Internet access and computer workstations, reference books, and homework help. Volunteers also provide assistance with filling out FEMA forms, searching for missing people and filing for unemployment. The library receives books from its corporate sponsors, making it easier to process new titles. Patrons are encouraged to return the books if they can. The library relies on help from IBM, ProQuest, the LSU library program and local volunteers.

Offers a look at OneCleveland, an ultrabroadband technology network platform, that could transform the library's educational role in Ohio. Transition from analog to digital systems; Importance of Internet access for library users; Role of public libraries in providing network connectivity; Role of OneCleveland in collaboration with Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in addressing social inclusion through Internet access; Distance education offered by Cleveland State University to subscribers at libraries; Cooperation between the Cleveland Museum of Art and CCPL.

Reports on efforts to add computer resources to rural libraries in Colorado. Reasons for the installation of computers in Colorado rural libraries; Use of Application Service Provider (ASP) technology. INSET: Keeping It Public.

Discusses policies for libraries with respect to providing hyperlinks on web sites. Issues that must be addressed prior to adding a link on one's site; Examples of policies for Internet linking in libraries.

Focuses on developing teen Internet train-the-trainer programs in libraries. Tips for building a curriculum, including the identification of what patrons need to be taught; Skills that the teens will need in customer service, Internet searching tools, and steps in the research process; How to keep the volunteer program working to give library users skills they need to access the Internet.

Offers tips on library-based Internet training for business users. Researching management; Search engines and search strategy; Categorizing questions; General business sites; Researching a specific market; Thinking like a librarian.

The article discusses librarianship and issues related to the profession such as educational and technological changes and reductions in funding. The economic rationale for libraries and fair use of intellectual property are mentioned. Topics such as networked media, critical learning skills, recognition of Internet access as an intellectual freedom issue, development of a school library brand, and planning for ubiquitous and one-to-one computing are also mentioned.

This article highlights the International Children's Digital Library (ICDL), a joint project of the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory at the University of Maryland and the Internet Archive in San Francisco, California. The author describes her son's experience reading an online book and reports on the involvement with ICDL among children ages six to eleven.

The article focuses on the effort of San José State University's School of Information, together with the Gigabit Libraries Network, to expand broadband Internet access in rural areas through the Libraries WhiteSpace Project. The project aims to leverage TV white space (TVWS), those unused, license-exempt portions of the radio spectrum traditionally allocated to television broadcasters, as well as evaluate how public libraries might provide TVWS-based Internet access.

The article highlights the efforts of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Kansas to promote the digital content and services the library offers to its customers. Topics discussed include brief information on Shawnee County including its size and population, focused areas in improving broadband access in the county, and the four elements of the digital literacy efforts, that include computer training lab and low cost Internet access.

The article discusses a report by the American Library Association (ALA) related to the demand for computer-related resources in libraries. Increases in the number of computers offered by libraries, the demand for computer access by library users, and the number of libraries offering wireless Internet access in 2008 are described. The report also makes recommendations regarding the provision of e-government resources in libraries.

The article reports on the plan to add filtering software programs to the Internet access provided by the San José, California public library system. The suggestion was made by a member of the San José City Council. The proposal runs contra to the long-standing policy of unfettered Internet access and is likely to be rejected by the library system's partner San José State University.

The article reports on the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson County, Missouri learning how to use new technologies. Training was set up to teach employees new technologies and tools that their patrons were using to create content on the Internet such as MySpace. The library wanted the staff to be able to assist the public regarding the newer technologies.

The article highlights issues surrounding the federal Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) being addressed in the Illinois General Assembly. Several efforts in relation to the law are discussed, including the filtering of social networking websites such as MySpace.com from public library computer access. General trends in library internet security is also discussed.

The article reports on the efforts of some Republican members of the U.S. Congress to expand the Children's Internet Protection Act in response to the spate of online predators contacting children through sites like MySpace. The Deleting Online Predators Act would require schools and libraries to also block instant messaging, online e-mail, wikis and blogs. The American Library Association opposes this motion.

This article focuses on the plans of many cities in the United States to offer citywide wireless Internet access and how it may effect libraries. Philadelphia mayor John F. Street recently appointed a committee to determine how Philadelphia might become the first large city in the United States to provide citywide wireless Internet access. While citywide Wi-Fi might still be a few years away, the initiative in Philadelphia-as well as smaller efforts to extend wireless access in Seattle, San Francisco, and Maryland's Eastern Shore-suggests an opportunity for the library. Elliot Shelkrot, director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, said the library was very pleased at the prospect of citywide Wi-Fi, but staff are still working on a paper on how it might affect library services. While the Free Library has no members on the wireless committee, the Seattle Public Library's Information Technology Department has been charged by the city to lead a plan for free wireless in four downtown parks. Pat Wallace, assistant director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, which manages SAILOR, the state's public information network, said that the network has been able to leverage E-rate discounts to expand the bandwidth in the state, whatever the best path.

Presents information on a report released by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association during the 2004 Public Library Association conference in Seattle, Washington. Increase in the number of public library systems offering Internet access in the U.S.; Number of public access computers awarded by Bill's father, William Gates Sr.

Reports on the announcement made by open access publisher BioMed Central (BMC) concerning its policy on institutional renewals for 2005. Services offered by BMC that are free for users under its open access model; Factor that may enable its author processing charges to be waived; Manner in which BMC plans to link fees to past record of publication.

Reports findings from the 'Public Libraries and the Internet 2002: Internet Connectivity and Networked Services,' a report from the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University, Tallahassee. Topics of Internet and database access, filtering, and funding; Statistics on increased access, faster workstations, increased filtering of Internet services, and funding trends; Professors who made the study; Who commissioned the study.

Reports news related to libraries as of January, 2003. Additional funding for sixty additional staff positions at the Jacksonville Public Library in Florida; Recommended raises for staffers at the Akron-Summit County Public Library; Use of a public library computer at the Warren Public Library in Michigan by a teenager who sent e-mail messages to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation threatening to kill U.S. President George W. Bush; Retirement of Harold Billings, director of general libraries at the University of Texas at Austin; Other news.

Focuses on the reinterpretation of the U.S. Commerce Department's digital divide data by the Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy, Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union. Number of U.S. citizens who have Internet access at home; Purpose of using the Internet in libraries.

Announces that the U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is charged to determine whether Internet filtering technology addresses the needs of educational institutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of children's Internet safety policies. Public library branches where the Mississippi Library Commission turned off the Internet filters; Requirement for libraries under the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act.

Discusses the trial over the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Skepticism about the law; Background on the CIPA, which was challenged by the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Previous attempts to stop Internet pornography; ALA's case; Library policies on filtering; Discussion of whether Internet filters are faulty; Confusion raised by both the law and the graphic materials on the Internet.

Discusses the policies of school libraries concerning student use of electronic mail. Reasons Email is often prohibited in libraries; How Email can be used for educational purposes.

Reports on the response of libraries following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Libraries that were destroyed in the World Trade Center attacks; Efforts of New York City public libraries (NYPL) to provide services; Library closings and evacuations; Web-based information which was made available by NYPL and others; Concerns over freedom of speech on the Internet.

Reports on a decision by the Metropolitan Library Commission in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to require that all library computers be filtered. Advice which was given from the American Library Association (ALA) regarding compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); Comments of library spokesman Scott Carter; The library's earlier filtering of children's access.

Reports that the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has supported claims by Minneapolis Public Library staff members that exposure to pornography-related Internet surfing by patrons constitutes a hostile work environment and sexual harassment. Response of the library board; Damages requested for the library employees by the EEOC; How the library seeks a dialog to address the nonmonetary concerns of the employees.

Offers observations on the development of a strategy for Internet filtering policy and management in school libraries. Importance of filtering software; Support of the educational curriculum; Methods of Internet training for students in various grade levels.

Informs that the American Library Association (ALA) has filed requests with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the federal government's Internet filter law. The law's connection to E-rate telecommunication discounts and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds; The ALA's request that the law not go into effect until 2002, rather than 2001.

States that the Canadian Library Association introduced the web-based tool kit, Net Safe, Net Smart. Content of the kit which helps libraries manage and communicate about Internet use in the library; Issues of Internet access, filtering, and children.

Reports on the use of filtering software. Approval by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives of a bill that requires public libraries to install filtering software because of concern about sexual predators using libraries to access pornography and prey on children; Effect of a Library of Congress copyright ruling on filter company CyberPatrol's lawsuit; Concern that the filters on computers in the children's sections of Montgomery County Library in Maryland are defective; How a filtering policy in Nevada gives children more Internet access.

Reports that the Jefferson Parish Council in Louisiana passed a law making it a crime to view sexually explicit or obscene Internet sites on library computers. Details of the ordinance; Vote of the council to put filters on library computers.

Discusses the advantages afforded by wireless Internet connections in libraries. The cost savings experienced with wireless Internet connections to Internet service providers (ISPs); What is required for libraries to make wireless connections; Installation; Projected cost.

Discusses the issue of liability for libraries when their computers or borrowed music content is used with the computer software system MP3. Description of MP3 which was a category of digital compression of movies and audio created by the Motion Picture Engineering Group (MPEG); Lawsuit against MP3.COM by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA); Need for libraries to provide for levels of privacy yet at the same time prevent illegal use of its facilities.

Reports on legislation being considered in New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania regarding the use of filters to block certain web sites on public library computers. Details of the various bills, which would require the use of filtering software to block Internet content deemed objectionable, and require librarians to monitor the Internet activity of minors.

Reports that the Utah Legislature has passed a bill which bars state funds from any public library which does not restrict access by minors to obscene material on the Internet. Lack of a proposal for the type of restrictive mechanism that libraries should utilize; Sentiments of Utah librarians; When the bill takes effect; Passage of a similar bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

The article discusses the introduction of the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act (ISPLA) to the Illinois General Assembly, focusing on opposition to the bill by the American Library Association (ALA) and Illinois Library Association (ILA). Other topics include information on supporters and opponents of the bill, the bill's resemblance to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and how the bill puts the burden of determining legitimate research on patrons and librarians.

The article discusses the Vermont FiberConnect Project, an initiative of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority and Sovernet Communications that will bring gigabit Internet service to 43 of the state's rural libraries. Terms negotiated with Sovernet by the Vermont Department of Libraries enable some of the participating libraries to pay as little as $60 per month for the service.

The article discusses "Fencing out Knowledge: Impacts of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) 10 Years Later," a report from the American Library Association (ALA) regarding Internet filters in schools and libraries. Topics include the impact they have on low-income children, how the Internet has changed since CIPA first passed, and why some librarians consider filtering software to be censorship.

The article discusses how the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on the E-Rate program proposed by FCC chair Tom Wheeler which would increase funding for high-speed wireless Internet in schools and libraries based on their square footage. Topics include a proposal that funding be based on daily visitors, the issue of universal Internet access, and the FCC's collaboration with the American Library Association.