This paper contrasts myths (false beliefs) and realities of two points of view concerning the role of the college library in learning--primary role, or secondary support role to classroom learning. Skills learned in using a college library are highlighted as necessary to acquiring an education and for lifelong learning. (EJS)

Presents the results of a test of an information support service for academic administrators by librarians, together with the model and rationale for such service. The demand for such a service, administrator reactions, and its cost effectiveness are discussed, as well as issues in library service, techniques, and philosophy that were identified…

Results of a 1969 survey by Carol Nemeyer of scholarly reprint activity in United States are reviewed in light of subsequent trends. Although replication of survey is not recommended, certain aspects that merit continued study are discussed with emphasis on the role of academic librarians in scholarly reprint selection. (36 references) (EJS)

Discusses a paradigm for academic librarianship that requires greater sensitivity to and identification with needs of library users. Centrality of library academic community is questioned, noting insistence of librarians on independent status of library and failure of bibliographic instruction programs to make issue of critical thinking top…

Reviews the personnel issues of greatest concern to academic librarians over the past 50 years, and discusses both the positive changes that have occurred and the issues that remain unresolved. An argument that the current environment provides an opportunity for librarians to ensure their central role in higher education is presented. (28…

Examines three major components of the role of the university library in China: (1) the university as a participant in the educational work of the university; (2) the library as a provider of information that enables researchers in the university to carry out investigations; and (3) the responsibility of the library to society as a whole. (25…

Reviews the traditional academic library services offered to faculty researchers and describes patterns of the academic research process. A more active librarian role in the research process is proposed, to be accomplished through understanding research in the information transfer process and the role of the researcher. (17 references) (CLB)

Discusses the relationship between data and the recipient, and the academic library and its institutional information systems. Examples are drawn from the sciences, including medicine, because of their greater intensity of experimentation and change in information management. New roles for libraries and librarians are highlighted. (EJS)

Discusses the traditional role and functions of research library technical services departments and examines the impact of electronic information and information technology on technical services. It is argued that technical services units will stagnate if they do not accept the responsibility of becoming technologically adept. (19 references) (CLB)

Discusses the evolving roles of academic librarians as information professionals, and the resulting career development in terms of professional issues, organizational issues, technological concerns, and required competencies. A career path model is presented which delineates primary roles, psychological issues, and strategies for attaining…

Responses to a questionnaire exploring faculty perceptions of academic librarians on campus are analyzed in terms of faculty-librarian contacts, usefulness of librarians, importance of academic subject background, and status. Results indicate that librarians are seen as professionals with a service function rather than as full-fledged academic…

Explores the role of the academic rare book library in terms of its financial justification and concludes that the primary justification lies in its utility as a research library. It is also concluded that institutions unable to support a proper rare book collection might be advised to develop appropriate special collections instead. (19…

Describes current developments in microcomputer technology, including CD-ROM, the 80386 microprocessor, and the graphic user interface. It is argued that, as the information handling capacity of microcomputers increases, the microcomputer industry will increasingly market information to end users, and the library will be challenged to provide the…

Describes the evolution of the scholarly communication system to its current stage, with special attention paid to the fundamental principles that drive the system. The influences of relevant principles of and advances in librarianship on the structuring and restructuring of the system are demonstrated. (nine references) (CLB)

Discussion of the role of academic librarians and faculty status highlights the importance of a holistic view of the academic model of librarianship and suggests a system for providing support and judging performance. Topics addressed include activities in teaching, research, and service; performance criteria; scheduling; training; and evaluation…