Challenges librarians to create midlife leaves that will inspire professional growth and renewal and help define future career directions. Presents a framework for developing a successful leave based on experiences at Concordia University (Montreal) and offers examples of specific options, including internships, exchanges, conferences, community…

Describes a case study approach to teaching database design principles to undergraduate students that is based on a library database. Topics discussed include database management systems, relational models, entity relationship models, many-to-many relationships, normalization, and producing a working database. (three references) (LRW)

Describes the function of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Z39.50 protocol, which allows for construction of information "servers"--i.e., resources attached to a computer communications network that can be accessed by client machines to retrieve information. The relationship of Z39.5 to other OSI protocols is explained. (23…

Discussion of using library instruction to teach a decision-making process focuses on the importance of teaching students how to use information rather than just how to find it. Highlights include planning a research strategy, topic analysis, consideration of relevant perspectives, choice of appropriate information sources, and evaluating…

This article examines the technical access barriers that inhibit the effective use of the information resources available on higher education networks; the emerging information server technology that promises to alleviate many access problems; and the growing popularity of the Z39.50 protocol, including questions about this information retrieval…

Discussion of database searching by end-users versus mediated searching by library staff focuses on a user survey conducted at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to determine reasons for end-user searching and mediated searching. Search expertise, cost factors, and time constraints are discussed as influences on search strategies. (LRW)

Describes a study that examined subject searchers' use of a display of terms related to their topics as provided through online display of authority information from Library of Congress subject headings. The need to encourage searcher use of available syndetic structures is discussed. (17 references) (Author/CLB)

Defines value added CD-ROM products as those that permit enhanced manipulation of data and reviews value-added law and law-related products. The potential of CD-ROM for legal research, as well as the high cost of product development and purchase, is discussed. Current research and development at West Publishing and the Matthew Bender Company are…

Describes a study that asked college students to compare CD-ROM and print versions of ERIC, PsycLit, and the Business Periodicals Index. The findings indicate that students found the CD-ROM versions to be faster and easier to use. Search strategies employed by students and the extent to which they required assistance are also discussed. (four…

Nine articles in this festschrift for Herbert Goldhor explore relatively new and innovative approaches to problem solving in libraries. The articles identify and discuss methods and techniques of applied and evaluative research, consider conceptual and practical issues related to problem solving in libraries, and recognize Goldhor's many…

Briefly describes CD-ROM technology and discusses the possible impact of this technology on school library media centers. The advantages and disadvantages of the technology are discussed, a number of appropriate products are described, and ideas to help media specialists implement CD-ROM technology are suggested. A directory of CD-ROM resources…

Reviews recent trends in scholarly micropublishing and preservation microfilming and discusses prospects for the rest of the twentieth century. Areas discussed include the impact of economics and government policies, recent changes in the scholarly micropublishing industry, recent developments in bibliographic control, the national preservation…

Discusses an undergraduate course for developing interest in and skills for research. Provides a course outline and briefly describes each part of the outline. (YP)

Describes the development of the Media Specialist Stress Inventory (MSSI), designed to examine the degree to which stress variables can be used to predict burnout levels of school library media specialists. The results of tests of the reliability and validity of the MSSI are presented and discussed. (31 references) (CLB)

Describes the causes and symptoms of technostress (a modern disease of adaptation caused by an inability to cope with new technologies) as it relates to school librarians. Skills for managing change and conflict are discussed, and case studies of several actual victims of technostress are presented. (MES)