Nearly all academic librarians agree that academic libraries have to change in order to respond successfully to the new realities of the higher education environment, rapidly developing information and telecommunications technologies, and the crisis in scholarly communications. But there is little agreement on what must change, how the changes…

Developed by the Audiovisual Committee of the Association of College and Research Libraries, the guidelines presented here reflect technological innovations in audiovisual services. Areas covered include library planning, budgets, personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies, collection development, acquisitions, cataloging, collection…

Discusses factors that combined to make it possible for health sciences libraries to take initiative for developing technological methods and skills needed for computer librarianship before other types of libraries entered the field: size, money, medical center background, requirements of users, state of health science libraries and librarians,…

Considers four points relative to the impact of technology on library users, noting extent to which certain classes of technical innovations result in library service discontinuities: user awareness and acceptance of technical innovations, the pace of technological adoption, impact of the online catalog, and user impact on library technology. (EJS)

The library of the next decade will answer the demands of its changing community rather than implement new technology simply to facilitate traditional operations. Library users are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the use of technology and diverse resources, and will demand a high level of service and accessibility. (MSE)

This interview with Walt Crawford, a senior analyst for the Research Libraries Group, discusses his objections to the term and concept "digital library," the persistence of print versus the prospect of all-digital libraries, the economic and ecological disadvantages of all-digital libraries, expanding traditional library and university…

This conference paper addresses the abundance of information delivery choices available to academic library online searchers. Following a review of changes and choices that have developed during the past decade, the paper suggests 10 ways for the searcher to keep up to date in this fast changing field: (1) read subject-related journals, system…

Among the recent technological developments that will facilitate increased integration of information systems and services are new techniques for information capture, and optical disc technology for storage and retrieval. An integrated role of providing information in a variety of formats is described.

Three major topics are discussed in this essay conveying a vision of what the university library should be like in the twenty-first century: (1) librarianship as a scholarly discipline; (2) politics and the university library; and (3) the library as an active agent in the life of a university. (EJS)

Addresses the importance of planning for integration of information-processing technology--particularly microcomputer software and hardware--into higher education in general and academic libraries specifically, and enumerates specific skills that academic librarians have developed which could enhance the library's role as the campus center for…

Future library users will be oriented more toward information and access to it than to the medium containing the information. Both cultural and technological development will affect users' expectations and demands of academic library services. (Author/MSE)

Reviews trends in Chinese library and information education since 1978 and examines the influences of reforms of the economic system, advances in science and technology, and advances in the education system. Topics discussed include the development of Chinese information industries, and integration of the work of libraries and information centers.…

Offers a perspective on changes that have occurred in academic reference librarianship since 1980. Topics include librarians' responsibilities; the changing uses of reference services by students and faculty; technological advancements; the organization of libraries, including management styles and theories; roles of libraries and librarians; and…

Noting difficulties experienced by small to medium sized colleges in acquiring integrated library computer systems, this position paper outlines issues related to the subject with the intention of increasing familiarity and interest in integrated library systems. The report includes: a brief review of technological advances as they relate to…

This paper recommends the creation of a position of research coordinator by expanding the role of faculty liaison within colleges and universities to help bring services generally provided by special libraries to academic researchers. Reasons given for academic institutions to create such a position include the practicability of applying new…