Library professionals have always engaged with associations and communities to share experiences and information. Going back through the earliest times of the profession, librarians have interacted through conference meetings, professional publications, and a variety of other venues. These in-person and print-based interactions continue as…

In March 2007, SirsiDynix notified its Horizon and classic Dynix customers that it would not be releasing Horizon 8.0 in favor of developing its Unicorn software. As vice president/president-elect of SirsiDynix's Horizon/Dynix user group, the author was one of the first ones to be notified of this abrupt change in company strategy. The news sent…

Despite lower attendance than in the past and blustery, cold weather, the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in Denver in January offered lots of news from industry vendors and lots of opportunities to discuss important issues and trends. In this report, the author highlights some of the most important product announcements with a…

Efforts of the Technical Standards for Library Automation Committee (TESLA), a division-wide committee of the Library Information and Technology Association (LITA) of the American Library Association, are described. The current status of suggested technical standards and recommended action are detailed. Five sources are given. (Author/EJS)

This report of the American Library Association's 1987 conference in San Francisco summarizes meetings on: local area networks, personal liability of library trustees, librarian shortages, AIDS education, CD-ROM technology, literacy, Black librarians and the political process, and restriction of young adult literature. Exhibit highlights are also…

This article discusses the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), a plan that is quickly gaining the support of library organizations around the globe. The FRBR Study Group was appointed by International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and issued its final report in 1998. The report redefines the basic unit of…

Lists four areas identified by participants at the 1987 Resources and Technical Services Division Serials Section program as mandatory considerations in the study of serials automation within the context of linking public and technical library services. Four conference papers to be published in this and subsequent issues are introduced. (MES)

Reports on activities at the 1995 ALA (American Library Association) Midwinter Convention in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) that were largely based on considerations of the ALA Goal 2000 plan that focuses on funding for libraries, technology, and intellectual freedom. Highlights include the proposed dues increase and the overlap of ALA divisions.…

Papers on cataloging and national bibliography presented at the 1984 general conference of IFLA include: (1) "Pratiques et Problemes de Catalogage au Senegal" (Cataloging Practices and Problems in Senegal) (Marietou Diop Diongue, Senegal); (2) "The Consequences of New Technologies in Classification and Subject Cataloging in Third…

Provides a description of four seminars and three study tours organized by the IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) Section on Library Buildings and Equipment from 1980-91. Themes include interior design and layout, library buildings in the network context, adapting buildings to library use, planning and design, and control of…

The author of this article, a card-carrying member of the American Library Association (ALA), discusses her views on how difficult it is for some leaders to accept that this is the 21st century. She feels that people do not need to choose between blogs and printed text, because people can read both. She also feels that library shelves have room…

Minutes from the 1984 Membership Meeting of the Association of Research Libraries include the full-text of four presented papers: "The Next Generation of Telecommunications Systems" (William F. Utlaut); "Structure of the Present Telecommunications Network" (Donald J. Muccino); "Alternatives to the Bell System" (C.…

Description of 1986 American Library Association Conference summarizes significant organizational actions and presentations on upgrading automation systems, censorship, federal libraries, fees and public library services, black community information needs, Linked Systems Project, libraries and the homeless, new products exhibited, and 1994…

Uses the context of Odysseus' wanderings as a metaphor for the library profession returning to fundamental customer-centric issues. Presents recent information on library use, technology in libraries, the quantifiable value of library services, and participation in professional activities. (Author/LRW)

Reports on the third national conference of the American Library Association's Library and Information Technology Association, which was held September 13-16, 1992, in Denver, Colorado. Program highlights are summarized, including virtual communities, virtual reality, the electronic library, artificial intelligence and expert-systems, navigating…