Illustrations and brief text present all kinds of libraries, from bookmobiles and home libraries to the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress.

The speedy development of information communication technology, electronic libraries, digital libraries, availability of e-resources and collective demand of library users has changed the scenario of libraries and library professionals. Today all the users find the instant and desktop based library and information services. But only few institute libraries provide that type of services to their end user. This study highlights that out of 56 central universities in India only few universities are concentrate on web-based library resources and services to their end users. This paper also discusses the information availability in the websites like library URL, OPAC, e-resources, open access resources etc.

In recent years, interest in International Librarianship has grown rapidly and will continue to grow as globalization influences education and librarianship. In countries around the world, public and school libraries have unique roles and their staffs collaborate across types of libraries to varying degrees. Library staff preparation, training, and ongoing learning and organization of youth-serving librarians mirror each country’s values and priorities. The essays in Youth-Serving Libraries in Japan, Russia, and the United States address the universal and culture-specific aspects of library services to children and teens in these three countries. This collection shows how libraries have developed in light of each country’s political, educational, and social history. They examine how government and citizen roles in youth-serving libraries also reflect culturally defined social structures. The chapters highlight unique collections and services within each country and also show how librarians deal with the challenges they encounter, both from within their culture as well as from outside—including natural disasters. Each country’s authors discuss contemporary issues that face youth-serving libraries, such as information literacy, reading in a multimedia world, and the overarching influence of technology. This book will be of interest to youth-serving librarians around the world, library educators, and for those studying international and young adult librarianship.

"I only wish I had your paper before me when I wrote Silicon Snake Oil"--Clifford Stoll. "Ultimately, " says Earl Lee, "libraries are involved in the quest for truth, but conceptualize it in a way very different from most. Library professionals pursue a philosophy of inclusion, trying to have as many versions of Truth as possible, in the hopes that somewhere in the mass of material, something meaningful may be found by some discerning reader. But in recent years the mass of data has grown to bury truth and defeat the discerning. Librarians have lost sight of what is important." The uncontrollable mass of data, the transformation of the library to an information center, the demise of the card catalog, the meretriciousness of publishers offerings, the dumbing down of textbooks, the decision by the Library of Congress to use the OCLC online system exclusively--these are all the subjects of thought-provoking and unsweetened opinions, welcome reminders of the rich tradition of intellectual freedom in the profession.

This informative book explains in detail the history, functions, holdings, services, and facilities of ten outstanding sci-tech libraries serving museums and aquariums. Focusing as it does on the rich holdings and professional activities of some highly successful libraries, including those of the American Museum of Natural History, Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry, and the National Air and Space Museum, Sci-Tech Libraries in Museums and Aquariums is highly recommended reading for all library professionals.