Libraries often lack the in-house information technology (IT) expertise required to (1) implement mobile applications and related technologies (MAT); (2) attain maximum return on investment including patron satisfaction for using MAT; and (3) reduce reliance on expensive IT consultants. Based on secondary analysis of the experiences and advice…

Discusses electronic publishing as it refers to machine-readable databases. Types of electronic products and services are described and related topics considered: (1) usage of library and information science databases; (2) production and distribution of databases; (3) trends and projections in the electronic information industry; and (4)…

Describes dominant political trends in librarianship, including the adoption of political neutrality as a means toward acquiring professional status, conservatism, and a willingness to allow government and business to define professional roles. It is argued that values of equity and public service, not the imperatives of technocracy and…

Examines the status and scope of informetrics. Research in the field is selectively reviewed, drawing mainly from journal articles in English that have been published since the "ARIST" review of bibliometrics by H.D White & McCain (1989). Greater prominence is given to the informetric laws than to other topics. Finally, some very…

This paper asserts that information literacy is a crucial element in education at all levels, and in particular at the community college level. The author defines information literacy in a number of ways, including this recent definition offered by Shapiro and Hughes: "A new liberal art that extends from knowing how to use computers and access…

Examines the foundations of academic librarianship in terms of the ends and means of library services, recognition of the difference between them, exploration of the quality of library services, and development and refinement of descriptions of these concerns. The impact of information technologies on these areas is discussed. (17 references) (CLB)

Discussion of the profession of librarianship focuses on changes in the profession and the role of women. The deprofessionalization, or de-skilling, of cataloging through the use of automated systems is described; new labels for library and information work are examined; and the future of librarianship is considered. (28 references) (LRW)

Discusses the inclusion of expert systems in library and information science (LIS) education in such areas as library management, classification and indexing, and information retrieval. Emphasis is placed on involvement in developing areas such as programing and knowledge acquisition to create information professionals able to use the new…

Argues that, with the trend toward viewing reference librarians as information brokers and the reification and privatization of information, the traditional goals of libraries and librarianship are being lost, i.e., providing free and open access to books and information to promote informed democracy and the public good. (63 references) (EAM)

Discusses past achievements and future plans of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and other international organizations, such as UNESCO, that are concerned with library education and training. The fields of management and information technology are emphasized, and resolutions and recommendations from various international…

This state-of-the-art report presents the current IFLA position on library education and training and describes some of the experiences that occurred from 1980 to 1987 on which this position is based. These are: (1) IFLA-Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) pre-conference seminars held in Manila (1980),…

This discussion of current and future trends in library and information science education focuses on curriculum design and development. Highlights include the influence of information technology, changing career opportunities, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, professional development, and Britain's contribution to overseas library and…

Presents overviews of librarian and library support staff education from 1887 to the present. Discusses current forces in education for librarians; the balance between professional and university environments; differences between education for librarians and library technicians; persistent themes; the role of information science in library…

Librarianship is in a period of great transition. Expanding uses of information technology and a dramatically changing demographic and economic environment are forcing librarians to re-examine their profession and to ask questions about their future relevance and viability. Change is and should be viewed as an ongoing and critical component of…