American Libraries Magazine | The magazine of the American Library Association

Library Cards

Posted: Apr. 16, 2010.

Have you ever wondered about the history of the library card? Library cards now come in all shapes and sizes, and even children are urged to get one.

Briefly, the library card came into existence because of the development of the model for modern library circulation. The 1955 ALA publication, Charging Systems by Helen Thornton Geer, explains John Cotton Dana’s role in its creation around 1900, and the machine based on that model that was introduced by the Gaylord Brothers in 1932.

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Mobile accessible library websites

Posted: Apr. 12, 2010.

Question: We’d like to make our website available to patrons that have “smartphones”. Do you have any resources to help us?

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Book Groups

Posted: Apr. 6, 2010.

Q.A new resident inquired whether our library had any book clubs. The library in the town she moved from supports several and she had found hers to be a congenial way to explore books and reading. What’s involved in starting one?

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Disaster Planning

Posted: Mar. 29, 2010.

Student salvaging books after Fargo flood

Q. There was recently a flash flood in a neighboring town—and it seems like there’s another earthquake reported every week. Our library doesn’t have a disaster plan. Where can I get help in writing one?

Value of Old Books

Posted: Mar. 22, 2010.

Q. One of our regular library visitors is clearing the attic of the family home now that her parents are deceased. Where can I direct her to learn more about the value of these books?

What is a library?

Posted: Mar. 19, 2010.

Q. The word "library" seems to be used in so many different aspects now, from the brick-and-mortar public library to the digital library. Is there a good definition of what a library is?

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Oldest University Library

Posted: Mar. 17, 2010.

Question: What is the oldest university library?

Book Awards Seals

Posted: Mar. 11, 2010.

Question: I know there are seals libraries can buy for children’s books that win awards from the American Library Association. Are there seals I can buy to put on the copies of those books that our library already owns that were named Notable Books for Children?

Answer:

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Moving a Library

Posted: Mar. 8, 2010.

Question: My library will be moving into a new building next year. The building design work is completed, and construction underway, but we haven’t begun to discuss how we will accomplish the move of our collections. Does ALA have any resources that might help?

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Electronic Collection Development

Posted: Mar. 5, 2010.

Question: Is there a collection development policy would address the shift from print to electronic materials, the selection criteria for such materials, and what kind of reference materials should be preferably purchased in electronic format compared to the ones we should keep in print format?