Examines six information centers that have used innovation as the pathway to success. Topics include three factors that affect information centers' roles in organizations: the economy, globalization, and technological advances; the need for a clearly defined mission and strategy; customer needs assessment; decentralization; training end users; and…

Considers how to implement the inquiry approach to the research process into the classroom and school library media center. Discusses teacher and library media specialist collaboration; student exploration of research topics to develop research questions; contracts with students to help communicate expectations to parents; research strategy,…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Central England that investigated resource-based learning and secondary school students; the availability of information and communication technology (ICT), including access to computers at school, at home, and in the community, including public libraries; and attitudes toward ICT; and suggests…

Discusses the problem of access in managing image collections and describes a prototype system for the University of California Berkeley which would include the University Art Museum, Architectural Slide Library, Geography Department's Map Library and Lowie Museum of Anthropology photographs. The system combines an online public access catalog…

Reports on a study which evaluated student attitudes toward a new bibliographic instruction (BI) manual designed to address their individual needs and compares the results with those of previous studies on BI methods, i.e., lecture and discussion practicum versus a self-guided workbook. It is concluded that the new manual is regarded more…

Describes new directions in international education and links them to new imperatives in academic librarianship. Five areas of development are considered: foreign language instruction, study abroad, internationalizing the curriculum, foreign students, and technical assistance and international development. A selected bibliography and a list of…

Advocates teaching history through children's fictional and nonfictional literature in elementary social studies. Offers seven criteria for selecting books for elementary history units. Provides activities for teaching about American Indians, communities, and U.S. history based on award-winning children's books. (CH)

Discussion of a project in which adolescent novels were analyzed in terms of the characters' incorporation of information skills in problem solving notes the lack of information skills models in adolescent literature. Ways to use these novels--even though they lack models--to teach adolescents information and problem solving skills are suggested.…

Discusses the use of shared information networks within organizations to decrease information hoarding and maximize operating efficiencies. Network development issues discussed include choosing the department responsible for development, selecting information to be included in the network, designing the information format, distribution strategies,…

Discusses telefacsimile technology and its possible uses in libraries. Applications for interlibrary loan, document retrieval, and reference services are described, speed and cost of service are examined, user satisfaction is discussed, and recent technological developments are reviewed, including the use of telefacsimile with microcomputers and…

Discusses the role of the library media specialist in book selection, reading guidance, and the integration of curriculum related reading materials into the child's total reading program, and the relationship of these tasks to the primary objective of developing literacy through the possession of critical thinking skills fostered by reading…

Summarizes current research on teaching children to love reading, and identifies techniques that can be used by parents, teachers and librarians to foster this attitude. The topics discussed include the value of reading aloud to children, selecting children's books, the different interests of boys and girls, and reading to develop values. (six…

Describes the development of a hypertext-based library instruction program at Algonquin College (Ottawa) that used a shareware program called Simply Help! for developing help screens. Topics include a prototype program; pilot testing the library instruction, including faculty response and student surveys; and evaluation after full implementation.…

Addresses issues regarding the design of electronic community information services and user preferences for information services. Presents results of surveying 80 Wisconsin residents about their community information needs. The following community information needs were identified: library services, local government and banking, local calendars of…

Discusses publications exchanges between Western and East European libraries, including inadequate supply, easing of restrictions, disadvantages, changes in publication and distribution, real costs, labor costs, and the possible future of exchanges. Data from three studies representing three different historical eras of East European politics and…