Describes the role of the information specialist in a corporate information center and discusses the three areas that define this role--collection, access, and service. Advantages and disadvantages of being a corporate information specialist are considered. (one reference) (MES)

Presents results of a questionnaire survey of 27 Association of Architectural Librarians members working for architectural and design firms. Library services, library collections, user access, space and equipment, library staff, and future possibilities are discussed, and a copy of the survey is appended. (LRW)

Describes the history of multitype library networks; examines the reasons why special libraries and other network participants have resisted the inclusion of special libraries in these networks; and discusses the benefits to both special libraries and to other libraries in the network that would result from special library participation. (17…

Discusses the general benefits of library networking in terms of selection, acquisition, organization, storage of and access to information, and the specific benefits of and barriers to special library networks. Examples of networking by special librarians are given, and suggestions are made for special librarians wishing to participate in formal…

Discussion of the scope of electronic information resources available to libraries includes examples of several new sources. Solutions to increasing patron demand for materials are considered, including interlibrary loan, for-profit companies and agencies, and services that allow patrons to request materials directly. Issues of staff training,…

Describes two special libraries in Cairo (Egypt) to illustrate how librarians provide information in specialized environments while coping with the economic constraints of a developing country. Topics discussed include document delivery, access to information, the need for a national information policy, and international cooperation with…

In the face of emergencies, emergency managers should turn to academic libraries. These libraries can serve as gateways through which information from their collection, the faculty of their institutions, and ultimately the whole of the academic community may be tapped to manage emergencies successfully. (Author/EM)

A survey of five major bank libraries revealed three distinct levels of subject access to serial publications: manually based systems with no formal subject access; computer-aided systems in which the sorting capabilities of computerized serials management are utilized to generate printed lists arranged by subject; and online catalogs with subject…

Defines inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) and examines their characteristics. The nature of their information systems (publications, internal documents, archival records, library information centers, and bibliographic information networks) are discussed. Problems with acquiring information from IGOs and sources for accessing publications are…

Describes a continuing education course which addresses the dollar value of access to information and the mechanics of how to charge fees within an institution or as an entrepreneur. The significance of the topic, characteristics of students taking the class, and the course outline are reviewed. (MES)

Summarizes Special Libraries Association activities on (1) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76 on contracting out of library services; (2) OMB Circular A-130 on management of federal information; (3) privatization and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); (4) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) access charges; (5)…

Reviews recent progress in the development and use of online retrieval services, integrated online library support software, and communication and networking standards. A description is provided of a prototype system that would combine a gateway capability with a locally managed facility to meet a library's total needs. (EM)

Suggests that special librarians have dual identity because they work in libraries that support the goals of another profession or organization, and that they sometimes find their professional values to be in conflict with those of the institution. Discussion covers performing at the highest level of service, conflict of interest, confidentiality,…