Argues that the inability or refusal of librarians to define their own mission has resulted in school libraries without professional staff, academic libraries perceived as warehouses, and public libraries that fluctuate with society's whims. The premise that saving the library is a primary concern, regardless of the quality of the institution, is…

Discusses both internal and external variables that will influence and determine the future of the role and mission of community college learning resources centers (LRCs), and notes applications of computer technology to library systems. Thirty-one references are listed. (EJS)

These issue papers were prepared for a series of seminars that were sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's Center for Libraries and Education Improvement, held in part of the Libraries and the Learning Society Project. These seminars brought together librarians, educators, library users, and others to focus on the most effective role for…

Discusses developments in video-based information systems, including interactive and digital videodisc, videotex, satellite broadcasting, and expanded uses of videocassettes and cable television in interactive mode. Highlights include role of academic library media centers, videodisc and optical discs, videotex, other video-based information…

This paper advocates the introduction of integrated resource centers in the developing sectors of South Africa as a means for creating technologically and media-literate generations in the Post-Apartheid Era. These centers would offer opportunities for students to utilize educational media in all formats, thereby reducing the resistance to…

This paper, compiled for a class at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, compares the job characteristics of traditional university library staff, who are most comfortable handling print material, with the job characteristics of university learning resource center staff, who handle all forms of instructional media including such nonprint…

This paper examines the factors that contribute to a library's decision to become involved in adult literacy and the service roles assumed by a given library. Common library literacy service roles (i.e., collections, services in support of local literacy efforts, and direct instruction) are discussed and profiles of the types of libraries that are…

Discussion of the changing role of the school library/media specialists argues that skill requirements for this group should be redefined to include competency in online information retrieval techniques. Appropriate online databases available on CD-ROM and sources for training are described, and a role for academic librarians in providing training…

This volume is the second of two in a report on a state-of-the-art assessment which was conducted to determine the roles of school, academic, special, and community libraries in creating and/or providing viewtext information services; the information resources now available or expected to be available in the future to a sample of libraries in the…

This volume is the first of two in a report on a state-of-the-art assessment which was conducted to determine the roles of school, academic, special, and community libraries in creating and/or providing viewtext information services; the information resources now available or expected to be available in the future to a sample of libraries in the…

This packet of materials was developed by the members of a joint task force of librarians from school, public, and college libraries in Ohio as a means of facilitating closer cooperation in defining library instructional goals and activities. It begins with a discussion of the need for such cooperation and suggested roles for classroom teachers…

Five of the seven papers in this collection focus on the use of technology for information retrieval and resource sharing: (1) "Teaching Students How To Search Bibliographic Retrieval Systems: The Unit Record Approach" (George Bell); (2) "The Online Catalog and Bibliographic Databases as Shared Resources: The Impact and Issues of Networking a…

Effects of computerized systems in libraries are explored in five articles. The first discusses reasons why maintaining a collection of resources is strengthened rather than weakened by the existence of online databases. The remaining four describe the implementation and use of microcomputers in high school, elementary school, and academic…

Discusses course integrated library instruction and the teaching role of the school library media specialist. Highlights include a history of course-related integrated instruction; isolated instruction; individual instruction; collaborative planning with other teachers; independent inquiry that can lead to lifelong learning; and full immersion…

A review of the literature was undertaken to determine whether purchasing DIALOG in the CD-ROM format or subscribing to the DIALOG online format would be the better solution for middle school students interested in information retrieval. This report begins by stating the problem and defining common computer terms. A review of the related…