In April 2010, the New York State Board of Regents challenged the library community to rethink the State's vast array of library services to ensure that they are aligned with modern expectations and the expanded functions needed in today's society, operate with improved efficiency, and are prepared for the future as an essential and vibrant part…

This paper presents the results of a study conducted with the aim of identifying competencies needed by special librarians in Iran at three different levels of library and information science education. A list of competencies was initially identified from the literature and 21 semi-structured interviews with managers of special libraries in Iran.…

This study reports on the results of interviews conducted in December 2009 and January 2010 to identify innovative service trends in library and information services in the government and corporate arenas. The study was undertaken as part of a Library and Archives Canada (LAC) research project to inform the Government of Canada Assistant Deputy…

Considers how four historical events have influenced the world for information professionals and the view these events offer of the future: (1) invention of the Gutenberg printing press; (2) invention of the transistor; (3) success of the railroad; and (4) a statement by John Cotton Dana, first president of the Special Libraries Association. (9…

Argues that special librarians are not fact keepers but "catalysts in the knowledge continuum." Examines special librarians, the information business, and knowledge management; the knowledge continuum (data, information, knowledge, behavior) and strategies for successful "transformational librarianship": organizing information,…

Describes the perceived obstacles to library networks use reported by respondents to a survey of special librarians. The discussion covers the need for special librarians to be actively involved in network planning and governance, and for the Special Libraries Association to take a more active role in networking issues. (nine references) (CLB)

Faculty publication databases or author bibliographies offer libraries an opportunity to provide services to users. Initially, these databases remained initiatives of special libraries in the health-sciences fields. Librarians used the publication information derived from these databases to compile lists for annual reports. However, the advent of…

Using an in-depth review of the literature and the author's own personal experience, this paper attempts to distill the eight best practices of those undertaking digitization projects. Results are intended specifically to assist special librarians undertaking a digitization effort in a corporate setting, but conclusions could equally apply to the…

This is the proceedings of the seventh annual Museums and the Web conference which took place March 19-22, 2003. MW2003 was the premier international venue to review the state of the Web in arts, culture, and heritage. The formal program consisted of two plenary sessions, eighteen parallel sessions, 35 museum project demonstrations, dozens of…

Special libraries abroad and international cooperative efforts are discussed in six articles. Topics covered include the international role of the Special Libraries Association; the Special Library Program of the U.S. Information Agency; the design of special libraries abroad; regional networks that cross international boundaries; and the…

The Apple Library (the library at Apple Computer, Inc.) currently reports to the research and development arm of the company, a relationship that has been mutually advantageous. The library has been involved in research through a library users group, a grant program, and a laboratory within the library. (MES)

Some corporate executives regard their libraries as black holes that just consume company resources, but thanks to Laura Gordon-Murnane, executives at the Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) know their library actively adds value to the company. As web master for BNA's intranet, Gordon-Murnane creates information tools, databases, and products for…

These papers are intended to relate to a number of issues suggested by the overall conference theme of the power of information and how it is transforming the world. Most of the 11 papers cover a number of related issues--managing information, technological advances and their impacts, and new roles for librarians. Titles include: "The…

Discusses outsourcing in the information industry. Highlights include information technology; special libraries; outsourcing in Australia; public librarians; benchmarking and quality control; online searching; and outsourcing as a threat to information professionals. (LRW)

The conclusions reached at the conference "Rare Book and Manuscript Libraries in the Twenty-first Century," (Houghton Library, Harvard University, 1992), summarized in this essay, provide a context for the "Flair" Symposium. Some issues have changed; others have not. Newer technologies have produced aids and challenges for…