The role of librarians is defined by their ability to identify user needs and then use techniques from both library and information science to meet those needs. Positions that utilize these abilities outside of the traditional library should not be considered as alternative careers. (CLB)

Offers definitions for four general categories of research--practical, bibliographical, scholarly, scientific--and discusses connections of research to librarianship, the introduction of scientific research methodology in librarianship, activities related to scientific research, users of research, faculty status, professional organizations and…

Summarizes results of project identifying research priorities in field of library and information science sponsored by Department of Education, Office of Libraries and Learning Technologies. Background material, one-page summaries of projects comprising the Research Agenda, and a classification and brief summary of other projects reviewed are…

Compares LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts) on SilverPlatter's CD-ROM with its replacement version, Bowker-Saur's LISA Plus. Features reviewed include entry to the databases; use of Boolean search facilities; indexes and browsing; displaying and printing records; subsidiary functions; on-screen help; and interfaces. (Contains eight…

Includes two reports: a report of the results of a survey of state library association executive officers that examined the practices and priorities given reference activities at state conferences; and an annotated bibliography of 100 books, articles, and dissertations published between 1980 and 1990 that discuss librarianship in Ghana. (12…

Just about everything that librarians do as professionals carries ethical implications. Matters of intellectual freedom are most commonly recognized as loci for ethics-based decision making, but the totality of individual and collective conduct is in need of practical, normative ethical structure. What is argued for here is a framework founded on…

More than ever before, Japan is aware of its potential for shaping the global library and information scene and the Japanese are responding to the current flood of information with new media technologies and improved database services with a synergistic approach that involves library professionals, information specialists, governmental leaders,…

Developed with the support of the German Foundation for International Development (DSE) and the University of Botswana (Africa), this five-week "long vacation" training program includes four modules designed to provide refresher and in-service training for those library assistants who have work experience but have not been able to attend…

By the year 2,000 numerous changes will make this world very different from today's society. Our economy will be based on education and service related jobs instead of product-production. The population will almost double, and leisure time will increase dramatically due to increased automation. Continuous learning, often outside the formal…

Explores the implications of changes to be expected within foreseeable future (1985-95) in environment, mission, functions, and operations of academic libraries for librarians and librarianship. Context of academic librarianship, governance, faculty status, the library's information economy, marketing information to end user, and possible futures…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

This 47th edition is a compilation of practical information and informed analysis of interest to the library, information, and book trade worlds. The volume is divided into six parts. Part 1 includes six Special Reports, as well as reports on the year's activities from federal agencies, federal libraries, and national and international library and…

This handbook contains articles, guidelines, and other information from the field of library science organized into the following chapters: (1) "Libraries," including some basic figures, academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, special libraries, national libraries, state libraries, small libraries, facilities, the past, and the…

A literary scholar interacts with various other speakers at the Fleur Cowles "Fleur" Symposium 2000 (Austin, TX) and makes his own case for the necessity of physical materials that are always yielding new insights. He rues the apparent denigration of paper materials and the reduction of books even in research libraries and suggests that research…

Librarianship's worldview or philosophy preconditions understanding of ideas such as core value, diversity, and equity. Adherents to the orthodox version of this worldview restrict minority interests while aspiring to become a scientific profession. Those in favor of a modified version of the worldview support cultural diversity and non-positivist…