Discusses how core values in the library profession present dilemmas when they come into conflict, since there is no established hierarchy of values. Notes that these values are further challenged by the Internet. Argues that the survival of libraries is critically dependent on information professionals effectively dealing with conflicts in these…

Discusses training of specialized personnel for libraries in USSR, highlighting principles of librarianship, unified curricula approved by USSR Ministry of Culture and USSR Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education, training librarians for work at public libraries serving rural populations, continuous education of library workers, and…

Discusses the current level of library development and librarianship in francophone West Africa, taking Senegal as a case in point. The topics addressed include the impact of colonialism on library development, the structure of library services, the role of UNESCO seminars in library development, and the education of library personnel. (JL)

Discusses four major conflict areas in contemporary librarianship: service versus teaching, resource allocation, the extent of professional autonomy, and the allocation of duties and responsibilities between professionals and support staff. Topics addressed include conflict as a normal part of organizational life and creative responses to…

This discussion of the nature and role of communication skills in implementing job responsibilities of librarians and information specialists argues that the most important foundation of effective library leadership is communication. The paper begins by reviewing the literature on leadership and developing a set of leadership characteristics. It…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

Discusses six broad categories of activities in the context of planning for future organizational changes in academic libraries: facilities, budget, organizational structure, staff, service, and information resources. (EM)

Raises questions about influence of present reference practice on library user perceptions of the librarian as information intermediary and on user ability to distinguish between librarians and other staff. Questions are discussed within context of client-professional relationship, using data from study of users of three midwestern university…

Presents historical review of development of medical education, medical library and information services, medical school libraries, facilities (medical, education, library), and national health programs in Nigeria. Areas of challenge in present Nigerian medical librarianship are identified: personnel, organizational structures, buildings, National…

Discusses changes taking place in the library systems of Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Topics reviewed include the influence of Soviet Russian library theory and practices; decentralization of library administration; library finances; library education; library employment; library technology; and censorship and collection policies.…

This paper addresses the concept of the communication audit, i.e., a fact-finding analysis, interpretation, and reporting process that studies the communication philosophy, structure, flow, and practice of the organization. Reasons for doing a communication audit are identified: (1) to uncover information blockages and organizational hindrances;…

This document is based on transcripts of recorded informal interviews with: (1) selected senior professors in the library schools at Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw (Poland); (2) the director and a member of the Books and Readers Institute of the National Polish Libraries; and (3) a group of Polish librarians and students in the field. The report…