The Bitmoji classroom craze swept education during online teaching and learning in 2020-21. Was that just a fad for pandemic times, or do they retain value in post-pandemic K-12 education? In a recent survey of 72 educators that included 45 school librarians, 71%, mostly at the elementary level, reported that they still use them. The purposes…

Discusses how librarians can learn to become knowledgeable about computer systems to keep their libraries technologically relevant. Highlights include organization and record keeping; finding needed information; learning how to network, both with equipment and people; library instruction; and the importance of lifelong learning. (LRW)

Examination of the confrontation between patrons and technology in the library focuses on two questions evident when addressing the instruction librarian's role in humanizing technology: whether the library profession can afford to humanize interaction between client and technology, and how instruction librarians can humanize the confrontation.…

Bibliographic instruction is the means by which college and university libraries assist library users in locating information in their collections. Future developments will show an increased reduction in library resources. Staff reductions will make greater demands on librarians for activities of greater value. (JN)

Examines role of cataloger as it has been and is often perceived, and advances view of what role should be. The cataloger's function is discussed in terms of classification and description, automation and change, reclassification as supervisor of nonprofessional staff, cooperation within library, reorganization, and instruction. Thirteen…

The following papers were presented at a joint conference of the Colorado Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA) in October 1986: (1) "Development of a Strategic Plan for the Harold B. Lee Library--A Model for Public Service" (Larry Ostler); (2) "The Library Committee in MPLA Libraries" (Ronald…

Discusses the definition of an online library catalog; five factors to be considered by the online catalog designer; user-computer communication (error messages, help screens, prompts, unnatural language); online tutorials and offline instruction offered by bibliographic instruction librarians; and the current situation. Nine references are…

Five brief papers explore the issues of "ownership" and proprietary interest in the online catalog, relationships between technical services and public services in the design and management of the catalog, and opportunities presented by the new technologies to alter ways of working together. (CLB)

The lead article in this section argues that the profession's current focus on technology has compromised academic librarianship's scholarly values, eroded the quality of rhetoric between librarians and patrons, and contributed to the ascendancy of information over knowledge. Renewal of the teaching function and reaffirmation of traditional values…

This study examines the treatment given to libraries, librarians, and library usage in freshman English textbooks. The study follows criteria established by Virginia Tiefel ("Libraries and Librarians as Depicted in Freshman English Textbooks," College English 44, September 1982) in a study of texts published between 1952 and 1980. Tiefel found…

Urges community college librarians to become leaders in library instruction by developing aggressive teaching programs using high-technology information resources, such as compact disc read-only-memory (CD-ROM), telecommunications, and on-line databases. Discusses training, hardware, software, and funding issues. (DMM)

Discusses results of interviews with reference librarians that were conducted to investigate the effects of electronic reference options such as CD-ROM and OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogs). The work environment is described; changes in library instruction are considered; and the changing nature of reference work is discussed, including users'…

Three articles examine the effects technology is having on academic library reference services and bibliographic instruction. Highlights include discussions of current and future reference librarian roles, specifically the "human touch" aspect of reference; and examples of reference services undergoing technological advancement and those that have…

Discussion of the influence of technological developments on social change focuses on the effects of information technology on academic reference librarianship. Highlights include reference skills; electronic resources; microcomputer technology; online catalogs; interaction and communication with users; the need to teach information skills; and…

School library media specialists can revitalize programs and restore their worth to teachers, administrators, parents, and students by valuing books and reading, learning and teaching strategies to access print and electronic information, automating circulation systems and switching to integrated online catalogs, and communicating the contribution…