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This paper summarizes the cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) approach to estimating the dollar value of services offered by public libraries. The rationale behind a CBS approach is discussed and a methodology is proposed for a quicker, cheaper CBA applicable to mid‐size and smaller libraries.

Presents an overview of the massive changes that are, or will be, taking place in main libraries. Particularly discusses networked technology and its enormous shift in customer expectations and behavior, and forecasts it will bring massive changes to central libraries.

At the A.L.A. convention in Miami Beach, some of us thought we heard Ameritech issue a death announcement for NOTIS, one of the the respected old‐guard of library automation systems.

Aims to focus on the issue of value in libraries.

Draws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA‐survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions.

There is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library.

Shows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal.

The purpose of this article is to discuss how to best handle a crisis in a library.

Discusses five cases of crises in libraries.

Knowing how to behave in a crisis is important.

Provides a discussion on how to handle a crisis in a library.

This paper sets out to provide an overview of the economic realities in optimizing library materials access.

Uses a discussion and examples to illustrate the difficulties in optimizing library materials access.

Provides a catalyst for librarians to consider their collections' optimality.

Hopefully, the example will spark still more attention to how public, university, special and school libraries, along with local, state and federal governments, can cooperate to optimize access both to books and to ubiquitous information and knowledge in a time of falling communication prices.