Search

The author reflects on the issuance of fees and fines for business purposes by libraries. Topics discussed include the Park Ridge Public Library in Illinois, examination of the return on investment (ROI) by libraries, and interactions between the library and its patrons. In addition, she also talks about the risk of fees or fines on library access.

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.

Describes how the Bloomington Public Library use automation to improve contact with its patrons in Illinois. Production of a mailing label program; Development of programs for senior citizens; Development of letter for adult patrons.

The article discusses the initiatives of the Waukegan Public Library in Illinois to conduct and environmental scan on the perspectives of Latinos regarding library service. Topics mentioned include the launch of a promoters program to leverage personal networks of volunteers, organization of an in-depth review of the library's operating statistics and existing patron demographics, and the library's strategic plan with an emphasis on functional literacy.

Reports that the Naperville Public Library in Illinois will install fingerprint scanners on computers that offer either public Internet access or require a time limit on usage. Report that the scanners will help parents control their children's Internet access; Claim of library deputy director Mark West that the scanners cannot be cross-referenced with law enforcement databases.

The article discusses the September 14, 2013 opening of the multi-million dollar bookless Bexar County Digital Library (BiblioTech) in San Antonio, Texas which features 10,000 electronic books (e-books), 500 electronic book readers (e-readers), and 20 iPad tablet computers. Transformations at various libraries in the U.S. are addressed, including facilities such as the Chicago Public Library in Chicago, Illinois. Library patrons and budget constraints at libraries are also examined.

The article reports on a political debate between the Illinois Family Institute, which is pushing for a law to require filtering software on all public library computers in the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Library Association, which opposes the law. Eight libraries are reported to have shut off their internet services entirely in protest against the proposed law, which they believe is unnecessary and unduly burdensome.

The article reports on the increase number of library users since the opening of the new 57,500 square-foot Tinley Park Public Library in Illinois on September 4, 2004. The number of users for the year 2006 to 2007 are projected to surpass those of last year by 7 percent. Patrons like the services they discovered in the new library.

The article reports on the new rules regarding Internet usage at the Niles Public Library to be imposed by its board of members in order to address the problem of pornographic viewing among patrons in Illinois. The library has been working to install a wireless Internet connection that can be accessed by its users through their personal laptop computers provided they will agree to a set of conditions.

Interviews Mark West, deputy director of the Naperville Public Library in Illinois, on the use of filters for Internet access. Installation of filters by the Naperville library; Efficiency of the filters in the children's section of the library; Feedback from the community about filters.

Reports that one month after the Oak Lawn Public Library, Illinois, board of trustees voted to allow parents to restrict their children from access to adult materials, a second vote resulted in a setback for the policy. Reaction of librarians to the vote to rescind; Community support for the library; Issues of access restriction.

Discusses how restraints on children's library access have created controversy in Illinois and Massachusetts. Proposal by the Oak Lawn, Illinois, Public Library Board to restrict the access of children ages 13 and under from adult library material; Decision to rescind the proposal; Protest in Andover, Massachusetts by youngsters demanding freedom to use the entire library, not just the children's room.

The article reports that photojournalist Todd Mizener recently took 156 black-and-white images of library patrons holding their favorite books to celebrate the opening of Moline, Illinois Public Library's new facility. The results were put on display at the library and are viewable online at qconline.com/multimedia/MyFavoriteBook/.

Reports on the contract approved by Illinois' Naperville Public Library board on May 18, 2005 with a local technology firm to install biometric scanners on its public Internet computers. Information on how the U.S. Biometrics AccessQ fingerprint-identification technology works; Findings of the Naperville police on how library patrons use of their library cards.