Discusses how the library vendor's role is expanding to encompass a more active coaching component in a digitized environment. Topics include centrality of the reader; professional expectations for librarians; and coaching in the areas of bibliography information, licensing, networking, product/service awareness, and industry/market advice. (LRW)

Examines changing relationships between subscription agents, librarians, and publishers as a result of electronic journals. Discusses customer expectations, pricing models, and the subscription agent's new role as aggregator, acting as an intermediary who offers the end user access to the library's electronic journals via the Internet. (LRW)

Discusses qualities of traditional librarians, examines past and future library roles, and addresses the need to change librarian leadership requirements in response to technological advancements in libraries. Presents leadership qualities necessary for future information service leaders and supports these qualities with findings from literature…

Users Council has proven itself to be a critically important element in the Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) organizational structure. In fulfilling its combined roles, Users Council has provided a national forum for articulating member library interests to OCLC as well as a training ground for preparing individuals with library expertise…

Based on the authors' experiences as catalog, reference, and network resources librarians, this paper examines traditional methods of operation and the emerging blending of duties and the effects on individuals and the profession. Examines changing demands on library users as a cause for the blurring lines. Concludes that catalogers and reference…

Explores the evolving paradigm of academic libraries, the impact of this change on the library director's role, and the orientation and qualifications. Reveals that the "post-hierarchical" library will call for a leader who is flexible and innovative, a superb communicator with good analytical skills and deductive and reasoning ability, as well as…

The mission of the library in the information age and the implications for human resources management are discussed in eight articles. Areas discussed include the role of library education, classification and integration of public and technical services staff, staff allocation, staff training, the role of the personnel officer, and accountability…

Explores the changing role of the collection development librarian in relation to the issues of budgetary constraints and the impact of electronic technology on academic research. The characteristics, skills, and knowledge required on the job are defined, and different approaches to acquiring them are offered. (Contains 17 references.) (EAM)

Considers librarians' preparation for research university libraries. Topics discussed include the library's role in the research university, including advances in information technology and a knowledge management environment; user-centered librarians; scholarly communication; the concept of a learning society; and the need for a more diverse…

Explores the role of the academic library director in reconceptualizing the scholarly communication process in response to rising acquisitions costs. Highlights include being a catalyst for change; accountability; planning strategies and alliances, including ARL (Association of Research Libraries) and library consortia; and identifying target…