Public libraries are heavily affected by political and policy-making processes that shape the funding, activities, and roles of libraries in society, with the explosion of information policy decisions in the past two decades significantly increasing the responsibilities of libraries while also increasing limitations on their activities. Research…

Current trends in librarianship in higher education have indicated an increasing tutoring role for librarians in the online environment. This article examines how the role of the e-tutor is outlined in selected online learning literature before progressing to examine the implications for librarians of fulfilling the demanding e-tutoring role by…

In the last issue, this journal asked a question on many librarians' minds, and it was pleased with the depth and variety of responses. As suggested by this journal editorial board member Oliver Pesch, readers were asked, "Many libraries have gone to federated searching to win users back from Google. Is it working?" Respondents approached the…

The first of two articles on the current state of relations between librarianship and new technologies describes recent events that signal an apparent drift toward a traditional vision of librarianship, and away from any emphasis on information technologies. (CLB)

By stressing the importance of either technology or librarianship, commentators on digital libraries have created a false dichotomy in the literature. This article describes the process of creating a digital library at the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) that balances technological empowerment. Concludes that digital libraries need…

The chapters in this volume, originally presented at the Third Annual Virtual Reference Desk (VRD) conference, "Setting Standards and Making It Real," (Orlando, Florida, November 2001), were organized, revised, and updated to reflect current technology and practice. The VRD conference and the ideas in this book represent the cutting edge…

This document is an introductory guide to all aspects of law librarianship. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an overview of the history and nature of law libraries and the nature of the legal field and legal clientele. Collection development is discussed in chapter 3, covering such aspects as acquisitions, alternatives to purchasing materials, selection…

The purpose of this guide is to provide library and information professionals with a brief history of telecommunications and transborder data flow (TDF) as well as an annotated listing of available resources and organizations concerned with these topics. The bibliography is organized into 14 themes: (1) communication--international; (2)…

The Internet and new information technology have created new jobs for librarians in nontraditional settings. This article examines new (corporate libraries and information centers) and redefined (academic and public libraries) "techno-jobs" in the information field. Provides a survey of market indicators and offers job hunting hints.…

Librarians need to be aware of the technologies involved with change and the ways in which technologies will impact the total organization and its provision of services. The library school curriculum must be restructured in order to prepare future librarians for the reality of technological change and help them become able to manage information in…

This assessment of the state of library and information science research in the United Kingdom, which was presented at a joint conference of two Canadian professional associations, focuses on functions of the British Library's Research and Development Department. The importance of research and dissemination of its findings are also discussed. (CDD)

Librarianship is in a period of great transition. Expanding uses of information technology and a dramatically changing demographic and economic environment are forcing librarians to re-examine their profession and to ask questions about their future relevance and viability. Change is and should be viewed as an ongoing and critical component of…