Causes for an expanded educational role for academic libraries are identified and discussed, and factors influencing change are described, including improving the ratio of professional to support staff, success of librarian/faculty interaction, and participation by librarians on university-wide committees, need for librarians to acquire new skills…

Discussion of the teaching role of the academic librarian focuses primarily on reference librarianship. The interaction between patron and librarian and the necessity for the librarian to teach are noted. Eighteen references are provided. (EJS)

Considers the new roles of librarians that have evolved from changes in technology. Discusses new job titles for librarians; changes in bibliographic instruction; training the trainers; virtual branch libraries; teamwork and collaboration; changes in organizational structures; and outsourcing options. (LRW)

Discusses the Benton Foundation's report on the public's opinions of library leaders' visions for the future. Highlights include public libraries in the digital age; the competitive information environment; education about and access to information; roles of the public library; changing demographics; importance to minorities; collaboration with…

Discusses the role of the undergraduate library in bibliographic instruction, research on student information needs and use, minority and multicultural education, and teaching life-long learning skills. Issues related to staffing, collections, access, and teaching critical thinking skills are also addressed. A sidebar by Patricia A. Tarin…