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The article discusses the efforts by libraries in the U.S. to support patrons and library staff who are experiencing mental health challenges. Topics covered include proportion of U.S. adults who live with a mental illness as of 2017 according to the National Institute of Mental Health, best practices for library staff on dealing with patrons with mental illness, and information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a course developed by the National Council on Behavioral Health.

The article presents an overview of the impact that a global recession and a challenging economic situation in the United States is having on the services that U.S. libraries are being asked to provide to library patrons, and in particular to unemployed library patrons, in 2009. A discussion of cases in which librarians have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to provide additional assistance to needy patrons is presented.

The article discusses the need for libraries to make their materials accessible to those with learning differences (LDs) and make a wide variety of current information available to all library users in the U.S. When dealing those with LDs, it suggests that librarians should be aware of their challenges and provide avenues to information using modalities that allowed them to concentrate on understanding the material. It stresses that libraries are a rich and exciting learning environment for all.

The article discusses the effort by libraries in the U.S. to provide the experience of serendipitous discovery through book bundles and grab bags in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. Topics include the options offered by the Madison (Wisconsin) Public Library (MPL) to meet patrons' specifications, the book bundling service developed primarily by Marie Cannon, head of circulation at the Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts and benefits from book bundles and grab bags.

The article considers U.S. public libraries which have received Five Star ratings for their quantity of services from the publication in its annual surveys of public libraries every year from 2009-2012. Libraries cited for this accomplishment including the public libraries of Bernardsville, New Jersey, Centerville, South Dakota and Naperville, Illinois.

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.

The author talks about changes in library program planning. He states that public programs have been a staple for American library services for some time and suggests the popularity and growth of new programs in libraries have forced librarians to develop new methods to create and deliver library programs. He comments on the need to consider current demands of the public in program planning and how new programs brings new people to libraries which increases pressure to restore library budgets.

Focuses on the Virtual Village Communication Center of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina. Description of the renovated technical-services space, which has workstations using high-speed T1 Internet connections and general office-productivity software; Background on the computer lab and how it was designed to give the entire community access to computer technology, information, instruction, and services; Author's views on usage of the computer stations and assistive technologies for the disabled.

The article discusses a report published by the American Library Association. The American Library Association released a report titled, "Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2008-2009," which states that libraries are having difficulty with demand for Internet during the recession.

The authors offer suggestions for American librarians on how to manage a successful and transparent institution. They recommend listening and responding to the needs of patrons, actively engaging in conversations based on Internet forums in which the library may be critiqued or praised, and focusing on providing the best service to patrons of all demographics.

The author shares his experiences as he walked across the United States in an effort to better understand the U.S. library system. He explains that almost every library he visited had Internet access, although many had filtering systems that regulated what a patron was able to do. He speaks about the differences between rural and urban libraries as well.

Reports that while nearly all U.S. public libraries offer free access to computers and the Internet as of August 2005, the gains are countered by a lack of workstations to meet demand and funds to pay for connectivity and upgrades. Details of research by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University, commissioned by the American Library Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; How the Gates Foundation's Global Libraries program will offer $30 million in grants for hardware replacement at 2000 library systems in the U.S.

Reports on the development of the 'non-program' by a group of Connecticut public libraries which encourages library users to stay home and read one night a week.

The article discusses ConnectED, a U.S. federal initiative designed to improve Internet connection at school and libraries, and how school librarians should plan to use faster broadband. Particular attention is given to applications of broadband to community and concurrency, as the author suggests that better connections can improve community involvement at libraries as well as improve real time communication across distances.

The article examines Internet access at U.S. public libraries and library finance. Increased use of public library computers by persons seeking Internet access, particularly to access government services online, has generated demand for computer use at libraries at the same time municipal and state governments have cut library funding.

The article reports that while more than 99 percent of public libraries in the U.S. offer Internet access, many have not kept up with increasing infrastructure demands, which may have implications for demand at academic libraries. An average of 10.7 public access workstations are owned by public library branches, the article notes. Bandwidth speed has slightly declined, with 62.1 percent of public library branches having connection speeds of greater than 769kbps. Nearly 80 percent of libraries also claim to have insufficient workstations some or all of the day.

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.

Reports on a library program in Houston, Texas which will give library card-holding residents free access to email, word processing, spreadsheet software and document storage space. Positive reaction to the program; Technological facilities at the libraries; Cost effectiveness of the program.

The article focuses on a 2008-2009 study by the American Library Association (ALA) about funding and technology access in public libraries. Results of the study indicated that over 71% of libraries claim that they stand as the sole source of free access to computers and the Internet in their respective communities. Job-seeking services were regarded by the libraries as one of the most crucial online services offered. About 38% of libraries experienced budget increases at or above the inflation rate.

The article discusses the findings of a survey conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Florida State University. According to the survey, public library visits increased by 61% between 1994 and 2004, largely driven by the need for technology. People come to the library because it is often the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in the community. Total circulation also rose 28% in the same 10 years, with children's materials leading the pack at 4.4%.