Contents of February 1999 American Libraries

News Fronts

4 ALA

Arthur Goes to the Library
Freedom of Information Day Slated for March 16
Photo Contest Sets Scene for National Library Week
YALSA Announces 1999 Book Giveaway Winner
Chapter Report, by Christine Watkins

8 USA

Study Ranks California Last in Student-Librarian Ratio
States Offer At-Home Database Access
Prosecution May Result in New Maine Law
Patrons Pressure Board to Reinstate Staff

17 International

Global Quick Takes
Global Reach

Features

26 Taking Charge of Micromanagers

BY LARRY CORBUS
It's not the one who steers the ship that controls the helm, but the one who charts the course.

29 Sometimes the Roof Doesn't Just Leak, It Caves In!

BY CHARLES CURRAN AND ROBERT C. DAVIDSON
Micromanagement skills are a necessity for library directors pulled in every direction.

32 Flying Solo: Librarian, Manage Thyself

BY JUDITH A. SIESS
Independent librarians have the satisfaction of calling the shots-but it's not a job for everyone.

36 The E-Book: Pipe Dream or Potential Disaster?

BY DAVID DORMAN
Systems, not gadgetry, will determine if the book of the future is an electronic one.

40 Conference Call: Share and Share Alike?

Library directors Allan Kleiman and Jane Light examine the promise and peril of shared facilities.

46 Triumph over Adversity: Vo Thi Van's Story

BY KEITH M. COTTAM
A Vietnamese librarian returns to the U.S. after 24 harrowing years as a refugee.

50 When a Library Apologizes . . . 44 Years Later

BY STEVE WEATHERBE
A Canadian librarian fired for leftist ties gets an apology.

52 New Hall of Fame Honors Writers of African Descent

BY LEONARD KNIFFEL
Librarian and Broadside Press founder Dudley Randall is among the first 39 inductees.

Departments

19 Money Matters

20 Reader Forum

21 ALA President's Message

“An Open Letter to Judy Hines, Paul McMasters, Newseum & Freedom Forum”
BY ANN K. SYMONS

22 Editorial

“When Communities Want Branches, Why Don't We?”
BY LEONARD KNIFFEL

24 On My Mind

      “Customer Service: A View from the Trenches”
      BY TERESA PORTILLA OMIDSALAR
      AND MAHMOUD OMIDSALAR

54 Currents

56 Internet Librarian

“Cable Internet: When It Is Good, It Is Very, Very Good”
BY KAREN G. SCHNEIDER