Within the last 20 or 30 years, some technologies have mushroomed that have not only revolutionized the discipline and practice of librarianship and information management, but also christened our age as the Information Age. This paper identifies the technological breakthroughs that ushered in the Information Age and are transforming librarianship…

The future role of libraries will develop as a consequence of social, technological, political, economic, and educational factors that are evident today, including: (1) the development of an information society and the question of paper versus paperless means of transmitting information; (2) the growing use of micrographics, telecommunications,…

Three award-winning papers from an Illinois Library Association competition discuss topics related to the future of libraries: recruitment and education of young librarians; traditional roles of librarians in the future, including preservation of books and the historical record; and rapid change in the library environment in response to…

Questions the future of the Master of Library Science (MLS) Degree in a field which in the past has criticized and doubted its professionalism. At a conference sponsored by the Association for Library and Information Science Education, educators and librarians discussed problems of the field and projected areas of change. (CDD)

Discusses problems created by the deterioration of both book and nonbook library materials made of chemically unstable materials. Explores current trends in preservation, including environmental control, new standards for more durable papers, and professional training in techniques and procedures for retarding deterioration. Six references are…

Discusses the impact of technology on the profession of librarianship and suggests changes that are necessary for librarians to adapt to their changing role. Topics addressed include focusing on the mission of librarianship, i.e., providing access to information; librarians' sense of self-worth; educational requirements; and technological…

Reports on the 1991 Special Libraries Association (SLA) Annual Conference. Issues addressed include the need for innovation through the creation and adoption of paradigms; new developments in computers; library education, including continuing education; operations and services of the SLA; and new roles for the future in recruitment, ethics, and…

Discusses the growth of educational technology in China and describes computer training workshops that were held to increase computer literacy and to suggest critical ways of thinking about the use of computers in academic and administrative settings. Results of research on changes in technology use, including needs assessment surveys, are…

Five articles consider archival education in the United States. Topics include a proposed graduate program in archival studies and its relationship to the profession's history; the integration of theory, methodology, and practice; educational effectiveness of current curricula; the challenge of electronic records management; and the importance of…

Considers the future of academic libraries in five main areas: (1) funding; (2) buildings and space, including storage options for print and nonprint materials; (3) library materials, including electronic journals and monographs, video, computer software, government information, resource sharing, and workstations; (4) staff, including the roles of…

This theme issue of "The Bookmark" provides 1991 perspectives on several library service developments, including papers by three New Yorkers who played an important role in the White House Conference on Library and Information Services: Thomas Sobol, Commissioner of Education; Robert Wedgeworth, Dean of the School of Library Service at…

Presents viewpoints of five persons actively engaged in academic libraries or library schools on new skills that may be desirable for reference librarians in the future. Topics discussed include reference skills; communication skills; management skills; literacy in computer technology; specialization; implications of the information age;…

Reports the results of a survey conducted by the British Library Research and Development Department regarding systems librarians' education and qualifications; experience and professional background; professional activities; how they communicate, including the use of journals and electronic mail; the job market; career prospects; and future…

As a reference guide for library professionals, this volume helps librarians prepare for the future in the growing electronic environment by examining the historical and theoretical background of the National Electronic Library and assessing the role of libraries in the past, present, and future. The book is divided in two sections: "The…

Discusses the changing library environment, with greater reliance on technology; and describes relevant skills for librarians, including communicating with nonlibrarians, working with group processes, understanding the capabilities of information-handling technologies, and developing management and marketing abilities. (21 references) (EA)