Reviews factors influencing the librarian's decision process and contrasts them with visions of an ideal bibliographic system, the online catalog, and the all-purpose library network. Significant factors considered are AACR2, LC's decision to close its catalog, and the emerging national library network. (Author/RAA)

The continuing education of library staff is the focus of this collection of papers and journal articles presented at or related to seminars sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency (METRO). It includes "LEX: Law Advice for Public and Academic Librarians," by Alice Norton; the Library Journal/School Library…

Discusses the importance of public service for the users of serials collections in large libraries in light of the complexities of serial collection organization. A diagram of the decision points encountered by users dealing with serials collections and tables listing the types of serials records and error problems are included. (JL)

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…

John Metcalfe was a leader of the Free Library Movement in Australia in the 1930s, becoming a well-known educator, writer, and state librarian. His involvement in national and international library cooperation from the 1940s to the 1960s widened his earlier New South Wales focus. There is a strong democratic focus in Metcalfe's writings on…

This paper argues that the ancient people of Kemet (Egypt), "the black land," built and operated the first major libraries and institutions of higher education in the world. Topics of discussion include the Ancient Egyptians as an African people; a chronology of Ancient Kemet; literature in Kemet; a history of Egyptian Librarianship; the…

Describes the emerging position of electronic services librarian. Explains how the position was created to meet the demands of OPACs (online public access catalogs), computers and CD-ROMs, the Internet, and multimedia applications in academic libraries. Topics include the gap between user services librarians and technical specialists, hiring…

The purpose of this guide is to help new librarians in Idaho get started at their jobs. It provides a basic overview of library administration, policy, procedure, activities, and services. The following topics are covered: library law; working with the board of trustees; formulating and writing policies and procedures; budgeting and finance;…