Introduction: This paper is about the challenges of working creatively and reflectively in the information-intensive environments characteristic of our digital age. Method: The paper builds upon earlier work about uncertainty in library and information science by incorporating work exploring risk cultures and uncertainty as everyday phenomena. It…

Public libraries are heavily affected by political and policy-making processes that shape the funding, activities, and roles of libraries in society, with the explosion of information policy decisions in the past two decades significantly increasing the responsibilities of libraries while also increasing limitations on their activities. Research…

In the last issue, this journal asked a question on many librarians' minds, and it was pleased with the depth and variety of responses. As suggested by this journal editorial board member Oliver Pesch, readers were asked, "Many libraries have gone to federated searching to win users back from Google. Is it working?" Respondents approached the…

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)

Presents the Glenerin Declaration, a statement that resulted from conferences among information leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. A series of articles discusses the issues addressed by the declaration, including access to information; technology, innovation, and productivity; management of information; and national and…

This paper focuses on ethics for librarians and library science in the age of electronic information. First outlined is the "public relations nightmare" that the Internet is creating for the administrators and the library staff. It is suggested that libraries pick a common sense approach that involves the library staff and community and…

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)

Explores culture clashes experienced by school library media specialists that have influenced the development of the library profession. Highlights include educators and noneducators; different levels of education; varied access to information technology; male versus female; print versus electronic media; intergenerational relations; and present…

This paper explores what the rural library will look like in 2001, and envisions rural information needs and the roles the library will assume to meet those needs. Demographically, the year 2001 will see an aging population, low population growth, and a rising percentage of racial minorities. Key areas of public concern will be the environment and…

Discusses the role of professional associations in theological librarianship in accreditation, advocacy, and education. The need for the profession to expand its impact on theological research and teaching, the need for preservation of library materials, the impact of new technology on library budgets and practices, and the myth of free…

Librarians need to take the initiative and seize the opportunities presented by a changing environment and society's demands for greater access to information. New technologies such as laser disks, machine indexing, telefacsimile, microcomputer applications, and fiber optics are having an immense impact on the practice of librarianship, and the…

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…

This book provides an introduction to single staff information services, or SOLO librarianship. SOLO librarians are usually found in corporate libraries, private companies, small public libraries, museums, schools, churches or synagogues, prisons, law firms, hospitals or special libraries with specialized or limited materials and services with…

The 23 papers in this collection include papers on special libraries and miscellaneous contributed papers: (1) "Networking Potentialities and Limitations--Special Library Networks in Socialist Countries--An Overview, and the Main Ways of Perestroika in the Work of Scientific and Technical Libraries at the Present Stage" (D. Schmidmaier…

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…