ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


A n n  V i l e s

Fast Facts

Fast Facts

Electronic tra d e  books
AtRandom, the new Random House electronic imprint, plans to release 20 titles 
solely in electronic format starting in January. Time Warner was the first major 
trade publisher to establish a digital imprint with its iPublish.com last spring.
(David D. Kirkpatrick, "Random House to Establish Exclusively Digital Unit," New York Times, July 31, 2000, 
natl. ed.: C1)

Lifelong learning
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics’s National Household 
Education Survey indicate that “participation in adult education was approxi­
mately four times the enrollment in higher education in 1991, and six times the 
higher education enrollment in 1999.”
(Kwang Kim and Sean Creighton, "Participation in Adult Education in the United States: 1998-1999," Educa­
tion Statistics Quarterly 2, no. 1 (Spring 2000). http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html. July 30, 
2000)

Federal fu n d in g
After adjustments for inflation, data from federal agencies, such as the Depart­
ment of Education’s Budget Office, show an 87 percent increase from 1980 to 
1999 in federal funding for libraries, museums, cultural activities and miscella­
neous research.
(Charlene M. Hoffman, "Federal Support for Education: Fiscal Years 1980 to 1999," Education Statistics 
Quarterly 2, no. 1 (Spring 2000). http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html. July 30, 2000)

Federal grants
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, created by Congress in 1996 to 
administer grants to libraries and museums, has an annual budget of more than 
$190 million, which included $166.25 million for library services in Fiscal Year 
2000.
(Institute of Museum and Library Services, "Frequently Asked Questions About IMLS."http://www.imls.gov/ 
about/abt_faqs.htm. August 1, 2000)

Federal count o f libraries
According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, “there are 122,000 
libraries and 10,000 museum sites in the United States and its territories.”
("Museums and Libraries Measure their Impact," Institute of Museum and Library Services, http://www.imls.gov/ 
whatsnew/current/071400-5.htm. August 1, 2000)

I'd  ra th e r be reading
Reading was one of the “two or three most favorite leisure time activities” for 
31% of adults (aged 18 or over) surveyed by Harris Poll in June. Twenty-three 
percent indicated watching TV, and 6% said computer activities were among 
their favorite pastimes.
(Humphrey Taylor, "Reading Remains the Nation's Favorite Leisure Time Activity, Increasing Its Lead Over Watch­
ing TV," Harris Poll #35, July 12, 2000. http://www.louisharris.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=98. August 1,2000)

Thanks to Mike Hanson, reference librarian at Western Wisconsin Technical College, for his 
contributions and suggestions.

Ann Viles is coordinator of reference and instruction at Appalachian State University in Boone, North 
Carolina, e-mail: vilesea@conrad.appstate.edu

768 / C&RL News ■ September 2000

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/qrtlyspring/6life/q6-1.html
http://www.imls.gov/
http://www.imls.gov/
http://www.louisharris.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=98
mailto:vilesea@conrad.appstate.edu