Discussion of the difficulties undergraduates have with the research process focuses on the research process of scholars and suggests guiding questions for students to ask. Highlights include finding a topic and its focus; selecting a search method; the role of the librarian; and evaluating Web sites. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the strategic planning role of state library agencies for information resources management (IRM) and presents data from a study on IRM in the 50 state governments. Trends in state plans are identified, the strategic planning process is examined, and challenges for the future are discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

Addresses copyright issues related to paper and electronic copying and describes how AT&T Bell Laboratories has developed policies to manage copyright compliance. Copyright law is discussed, examples of legal suits are given, the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) is explained, and procedures to encourage compliance by end users and suppliers…

Discusses the roles academic and public libraries can play in the process of economic restructuring and development. A business school library in Hungary is described, and its role in economic restructuring and the education of future managers is discussed; and the role of public libraries in the United States is examined. (four references) (LRW)

Describes a graduate level bibliographic instruction course at Columbia University which incorporates computer-based resources and information retrieval and organization, scholarly communication and publishing, and analysis of primary sources. The discussion covers student responses, plans for the future, and the role of academic librarians in…

Describes four categories of censorship supported by the State of Emergency in South Africa: prior censorship and suspension of publication; restraints on information gathering; suppression of anti-apartheid views; and the growth of militarization. A comparison to traditional censorship of books is made and the possible role of librarians in…

Discusses the role of the school librarian in East African countries and the information needs of a school community. The extent to which the role of a school librarian in East Africa is realized in the areas of financial support, library programs and policies, and staffing is discussed. (11 references) (MES)

Reviews the social responsibilities traditionally recognized as directly related to librarianship and explores the question of whether librarians should take positions on broader social issues. Arguments on both sides are presented and some of the philosophical and professional concerns that should be addressed are discussed. (20 references) (CLB)

Reviews the history, current applications, and future of hypertext. Topics covered include current prototype applications, limitations of hypertext, and its possible impact on libraries. Hypertext-related definitions and a list of current hypertext systems and developers are provided. (12 references) (CLB)

Eight authors discuss five questions related to user searching of online catalogs: What user needs can be met by online assistance? Should assistance be tailored to particular groups? Should there be more than one level of assistance? Do users learn through computer-assisted instruction? and Will increased system friendliness eliminate the need…

Briefly discusses the problems and concerns that face school librarians in foreign countries. Examples from various countries are presented to illustrate a few of the difficulties and the creative efforts of librarians and administrators to overcome these difficulties. (CLB)

Argues that the growing use of technology is beginning to erode the free library ethic by blurring distinctions between commercial and not-for-profit information suppliers and fostering competition between and among various suppliers. It is suggested that libraries need to implement new entrepreneurially oriented management structures to cope with…

Discusses the ability of books to transmit nourishment to the mind and spirit, the importance of fostering reading skills and habits in young children, and the danger of subordinating language and books to inert machinery in education. The roles of parents, schools, libraries and society as a whole are explored. (CLB)

Discusses the trend toward the provision of educational services by special libraries. Examples of educational services provided by law libraries, health and science libraries, and corporate libraries are reviewed, new educational formats are described, and factors that should influence the decision to provide educational services are identified.…

An explicit, nondiscriminatory code of conduct that is based on due process standards, and the enforcement of relevant laws can constitutionally address offensive behavior problems in libraries. (AEF)