Examines the origins of the new emphasis on information in the public library through the work of such authors as Alvin Toffler and John Naisbitt. The effects of technological change on the future of the public library and the role of the library in meeting society's information needs are considered. (MES)

Summarizes and discusses the highlights of the American Library Association's Library and Information Technology Association's (LITA) third national conference, which was held in Denver, Colorado, September 13-17, 1992. Included many sessions on the Internet implications--changes in library role, strategic planning, building relationships among…

Considers changes that technology could make in libraries in the future. Highlights include digital formats; centralization of libraries and library services; the role of librarians; competition between libraries and for-profit information vendors; the publication process; the integrity of information in electronic format; costs; and access to…

Discusses the role of rural public libraries in the information age. Characteristics of rural communities that library planners should consider are conservatism, the lack of professionally trained librarians, library trustee involvement, the need for marketing, and gender balance. Suggestions for recreating rural libraries and providing…

Discussion of the influences of technology on the publishing industry focuses on locally loaded databases and database licensing to help integrate a variety of data into one system for libraries. Local online systems are described, and the responsibilities and roles of the library, the publisher, and the vendor are discussed. (LRW)

Discusses the feminist perspective of librarianship, including following key issues: salaries, pay equity, and occupational segregation; faculty status, professional education, and recruitment; access to information; technology; and sociology of the workplace. A number of myths relating to this topic are addressed, and a bibliography of 18 recent…