One of the main problems in the crowded public libraries of Hong Kong is too much use by too many people. (Author)

Arguing that librarianship is an institutionalized profession (i.e., the library, rather than the librarian, has been the focus of attention), this essay notes the process of deinstitutionalization (information brokers, effect of computer technology), the future of the librarian, and education for the profession. Nine footnotes are given. (EJS)

Assesses state of library development and library education in Jordan, reporting findings of a manpower survey of 14 libraries which indicates which of 14 different library functions are performed in each library. Assessment of the findings in special, academic, public, and school libraries and recommendations for further studies are provided.…

Analyzes a survey of Irish librarians and discusses the development of librarianship in Ireland. Highlights include historical background, Library Association of Ireland, Library Council, Department of Library and Information Studies at University College Dublin (Ireland), National Library of Ireland, and Trinity College Library (Ireland).…

In the last issue, this journal asked a question on many librarians' minds, and it was pleased with the depth and variety of responses. As suggested by this journal editorial board member Oliver Pesch, readers were asked, "Many libraries have gone to federated searching to win users back from Google. Is it working?" Respondents approached the…

While increasing the diversity of the library profession has been a long-running concern of Library and Information Science (LIS), the diversity of LIS doctoral students and faculties has received far less attention. This paper argues that libraries will be best equipped to provide inclusive services and outreach to diverse populations when LIS…

In this article, the author revisits 11 graduates who were profiled as part of LJ's annual Placements & Salaries issue. Armed with a library science degree from various institutions, they had just secured jobs in librarianship and were off to a good start forging their careers. Since then, they have worked at elementary school, college, and…

To sample opinion on whether a junior college librarian needs special academic preparation, a 4-item questionnaire was sent to heads of 42 accredited library schools. It asked: (1) Have you special courses for students intending to become junior college librarians? (2) Do you offer special seminars for them? (3) Do you hold (or plan to hold)…

This annotated bibliography cites 58 recently issued items in the areas of audiovisual aids, bibliographies, the Bicentennial, films, information science, instructional materials, and library science. Each citation gives ordering information as well as a bibliographic reference. (DS)

The sixth volume of American Reference Books Annual (ARBA 75) covers 1974 imprints plus some 1973 reference books that were received too late for the previous volume. It reviews all reference books published or distributed in the United States in all areas of knowledge. ARBA 75 contains 1,855 reviews, and the individual reviews are markedly longer…

Discussion of way in which books have functioned within framework of American librarianship highlights acquisition of books (libraries attempting to fill needs of everyone in geographical area, libraries devoted to filling needs of self-selected part of society, libraries devoted to collecting particular subject), and role of private collector of…

Founded in 1966 at Florida State University by Louis Shores, the quarterly Journal of Library History moved to the University of Texas at Austin in 1976 and continues to be published by the University of Texas Press. It was renamed Libraries & Culture in 1988. While there has been some continuity in the Florida and Texas years, during the…

Despite setbacks and hazards, libraries today are a more vital and a more appreciated part of our lives than ever before. (Author/NH)

The American Library Association, always alert to its international library responsibilities, has been intensively active since 1942, its early activities heavily financed by foundation support, its later activities, since 1967, by the association and the U.S. government. (Author)

The aim of this article is to look briefly at the constituent parts of the British library scene and, where possible, to indicate directions that the profession is likely to follow. (Author)