Discusses emerging roles for the library and librarian, including services in the following areas: (1) special collection management and reference; (2) information systems; (3) expert systems; (4) electronic publishing; (5) telecommunications networking; and (6) computer support. The technologies of artificial intelligence, graphic imaging,…

Examination of the library of tomorrow speculates about the impact of changes in the functions of government, technology, demographics, lifestyle, and values on the role of the library. A facility for the contemporary public library is described that can both accommodate traditional services and respond to changes in the library's role. (17…

Digital technologies should be considered a method of preservation for library materials. Current conservation strategies of restoration, deacidification, and microfilming are expensive, and they limit access. Digitization offers improved access while preserving materials and reflects a change in the library role from depository of printed…

Provides an overview of issues relating to library services to linguistic, ethnic, and cultural minorities. Following a clarification of the terminology used, the process of immigration is addressed. The role of public libraries in this area and implications for professional associations are then discussed. Twenty-one references are listed. (MES)

Past studies that apply the sociological definition of professionalism to librarianship are summarized, and recent criticisms of this definition are investigated. Alternative models of professionalism and concepts of theoretical knowledge and service are discussed, and a reexamination of the professional nature of librarians' work is proposed. (23…

Reviews publications that examine the quality of American higher education and suggest methods for improving education at the baccalaureate level. The discussion covers the treatment of the role of college libraries in these reports, reactions of librarians to the reports, and the need for librarians to gain full participation in the education…

This review of the literature discusses the image of librarians in popular culture, the importance of projecting a clear and positive image of reference librarians and their work to encourage users to seek reference help, and ways to improve users' understanding and image of librarians. (25 references) (Author/CLB)

Discusses philosophy and economics of charging users for library services. Free services are advocated for reasons of equal access and intellectual freedom, and alternatives to charging are suggested, citing Seattle Public Library as an example. Opinions and statistics on library fees excerpted from the current literature are included. (CDD)

Describes how theories of instructional involvement of school media centers were applied at 49 schools in Pulaski County Special School District, Arkansas. Practical approaches for cooperation among media specialists, teachers, and administrators in library decision making and promotion of its role to enhance student learning are discussed. (CDD)

Explores the possible uses of microcomputers in school libraries, including library administration and technical processing, communications, curriculum related databases, and online bibliographic services. The impact on students is discussed in terms of computer literacy and the acquisition of information skills. (CLB)

Focusing on the point of contrast between the library, whose primary role is the preservation of knowledge, and other dimensions of an information society where knowledge has become increasingly fragmented and exteriorized, this paper begins by defining leadership and reviewing various meanings assigned to the term "discourse." Several…

In academic libraries, neither technical services, public services, nor administration has escaped the impact of online information systems. Online catalogs, network systems, interlibrary lending, database searches, circulation control, automated technical processes, and an increasing number of non-book materials are part of a technological…