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LIBRARIES TODAY provide services and resources in a hybrid operating environment: there is the physical library and there is the electronic one. Because of this, libraries can no longer rely [...]

'Get Out the Hair Dye--We Really Are Aging' (AL, Feb., p. 35-36) presented some preliminary findings from the ongoing demographic survey of ALA members. As of March 22, the ALA [...]

In 2004, the American Library Association commissioned a study on librarian retirements and the issues of library workforce recruitment using the 2000 census data ('Retirement and Recruitment: A Deeper Look,' [...]

A section of Part 4 of the book "Library & Book Trade Almanac" is presented, featuring available research and statistics on libraries and librarianship in the U.S. in 2011. It details the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) "First Look" publication "Academic Libraries: 2010," the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) study "School Libraries Count!" and the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study. Also highlighted are winners of research awards and grants.

The article examines research and statistics on electronic books (e-books) and libraries in the U.S. in 2010. Public libraries spent approximately 155.6 million dollars on electronic materials in fiscal year (FY) 2008, based on expenditure data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). A 2010 Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) raised such issues as file format limitations and device dependency related to e-books. Another study by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) highlighted a decline in the average number of hours worked by school library staffs and increase in the number of hours worked by librarians. A list of awards and grants that recognize research is also presented.

This section of the book "Library and Book Trade Almanac" reviews research and statistics on the field of library science in 2009. It discusses longitudinal research and some studies employing quantitative and observational methods conducted by library organizations. It highlights an annual summary of public library statistics introduced by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The section also includes research on the use of online social networking by libraries.

An excerpt from a report made by the American Libraries Association (ALA) is presented.

The article discusses the result of the periodic analysis conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) on the retention and retirement trends of library workers in the U.S. Researchers considered assumptions about the library workforce including the age of librarians enter the workforce, the retiring age of librarians and the rate of graduates in library and information science to find employment. In 2008-2009, researchers Stephen Tordella and Tom Godfrey conducted an analysis with the use of Census American Communities Survey and presented their report "Librarian Retirement and ALA Membership Study" during the Annual Conference 2009 ALA Executive Board for documentation.

This section of the "Library and Book Trade Almanac," 54th edition focuses on a report on library research and statistics in the U.S. in 2008. The study "Serving Non-English Speakers in U.S. Public Libraries: 2007 Analysis of Library Demographics, Services and Programs" found that Spanish is far and away the most-supported non-English language in public libraries. Results of the 2008 salary survey conducted by the ALA Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) are presented.

The article presents developments of the research libraries and librarianship in the U.S. in 2007. The problems that greatly impacted the industry during 2007 include library funding, referendum failures, property tax revolts, reduction in funding to higher education and continued erosion in school library support. Research reveals that there are a growing concern for user privacy in general literature and few research articles and the use of libraries and library services by young adults has been underrepresented in library research. Discussed are the details of the performance of libraries and librarians in the country.

The article looks at library networks and their roles. It was through early networks and cooperatives that library automation was initially introduced. Multi-type library cooperation was encouraged. Funding was managed smoothly. Services initiated by networks were later integrated into the daily operations of individual libraries. Internet connectivity and training, database licensing and training, ejournal acquisitions are a few examples. The early development of networks helped. It is important to know how networks and cooperatives are governed and operate.The results of this research study can lead to alternative funding models, and future trends and researchers may build upon the baseline of data .

The author reflects on the various concepts of partnership. According to the author, she had formed partnership with her seven siblings to get things done. She learned that the best way to lose less was to partner more with the best of the group. She recognized that many people and organizations she had to work with were not open to partnerships. She emphasized that partnership can be efficient, cost effective, and can connect people in different ways.