Purpose: The paper aims to study how the present distance learning libraries can improve upon their existing services and introduce new ones to enhance quality of services to distance learners. Design/methodology/approach: The paper includes a review of literature on quality assurance in open and distance education in general and student support…

The first of two articles provides an introduction to this issue. The second article discusses the key issues in rare book librarianship over the past 50 years, including acquisition, care, handling, storage, preservation, cataloging, classifying, processing, circulation, security, and training. Both references and a 77-item bibliography are…

This study is a sequel to "Metalibrarianship." The previous work formulated a specific model for the philosophical interpretation of librarianship, and the present essay provides a wide-ranging reference to different views on the philosophy of librarianship. The review of philosophical viewpoints about library information science (LIS)…

Six articles address: (1) the impact of science on the physical examination and treatment of books; (2) equipment for physical examination of books; (3) research using the cyclotron for historical analysis; (4) scientific analysis of paper and ink in early maps; (5) recent advances in automation; and (6) cataloging standards. (MES)

The core journals of library and information science were identified by overlap of coverage in Library Literature and Information Science Abstracts. Those core journals which review English language monographs in the field and are published by U.S. trade or university presses were identified. Reviews for the 6-month period from July 1, 1984, to…

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…

Argues that if librarians are to deserve faculty status, they must comply with standards of excellence similar to those of instructional faculty. Teaching roles of librarians at Evergreen State College and St. Cloud State University are cited and similarities of roles of medical school faculty are indicated. (9 references) (EJS)

A total of 343 research articles published in 41 core library journals in 1980 and a further 708 articles cited in a stratified random sample of 100 of the original (source) articles were examined in terms of subject, research methodology, and number of references. Findings were also compared with those of similar studies. It was found that: (1)…

Summarizes views presented by three speakers from the Canadian library and information community in a workshop at a joint conference of two professional associations. Topics addressed were the state of research in public, academic, and special libraries; the need for library research; and how to find funding to support research. (CDD)

Public librarians in Quebec were surveyed to compare their orientation toward a field-specific model of professionalism with their orientation toward a traditional model based on traits derived from other professions. Results indicate that they had a stronger orientation toward the field-specific model to measure the level of professionalism in…

Discusses developments in library and information science education in Canada and the United States. Topics covered include schools' change of emphasis from "library" to "information," interdisciplinary programs, specialization, joint degrees, and continuing education. (CDD)

Describes a strategy for query negotiation, based on a sense-making approach, which enables librarians to understand queries from users' viewpoint. The results of tests of the neutral questioning approach in workshops for librarians are discussed along with participating librarians' responses to this technique. (MBR)

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)

This directory provides a chronological and analytical history of the library and information science research projects funded by the Higher Education Act (HEA) Title II-B, Research and Demonstration Program, from 1976 through 1986. It is noted that this program authorizes grants and contracts to institutions of higher education and other public…