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This paper is a selective review of recent publications, focused on the economic value of public and special libraries which are treated separately, since context and organisational objectives differ widely for different types of libraries. Those who wish to further explore this topic will find many studies into the social value of libraries which establish their general 'worth.' A good place to start is Roswitha Poll's examination of ways of assessing economic value, social value, and outcomes for literacy, information retrieval, and academic and professional success (Poll 2003). An extensive bibliography of earlier work is given in Fitch and Warner (1997). Promising methods of evaluating the economic benefits of libraries and expressing them in financial terms are at last emerging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about several reports published within the issue including one by Geoff Strempel on the contributions of public libraries to literacy, one by Nola Allen describing an early childhood literacy program developed by the State Library of Western Australia, and one by Regina Sutton regarding the implication of an aging population on library services.

The article focuses on Warren Michael Horton, director general of the National Library of Australia commitment to help young librarians and his contribution to the Aurora Library Leadership Program. The contribution to the Festschrift is a lightly edited transcript of a short speech made at the celebration of Warren Horton's distinguished career held at and hosted by the National Library of Australia on 26 March 2004. Aurora is a Library Leadership Program modelled on the Library Leadership Institute at Snowbird and supported by the Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Horton demonstrated the value of working together and the camaraderie and fun involved in supporting each other. He proved that librarianship is a deeply personal as well as a professional commitment. Through Aurora, Horton made a major contribution in identifying and developing young librarianship in both Australia and New Zealand. Aurora was the last professional concern, Horton relinquished, just days before he died.