Includes five papers presented at the 1995 VTLS Inc. Fifth Annual Director's Conference in Roanoke (Virginia), entitled "Back to Basics: Rethinking Libraries." Topics include libraries' use of high technology, collection management and electronic publishing, public services and telecommuting clientele, what to expect of library school…

Discusses the role of libraries in providing access to data in electronic form. Types of data are described, including social data, scientific data, and humanities data; the definition of libraries and library services is considered; and acquisition of the skills needed to provide effective access is discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

Reviews job advertisements published in "American Libraries" and "College and Research Libraries News" to assess the impact of the use of information technology in libraries on job requirements and qualifications for catalogers. Examines position titles, degree requirements, and required skills, and suggests implications for…

Highlights some professional associations' statements regarding education and the place of technology in educational programs. Examines the content of core curricula of a set of library and information science programs. Suggests content elements of an ideal core, designed to meet the intellectual and practical needs of information professionals of…

Describes a demonstration student-oriented information retrieval system developed at Indiana University that works on a data file of MARC records. Background and implementation, searching and printing features (command structure, fields), and use of the system in an information science course are highlighted. Four references are included. (EJS)