Describes the resources available to scholars in the library and information science collections of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Western Ontario. For each university, the description includes a history of the development of the school of library and information science as well as resources found in special…

Describes a study which was conducted to examine factors that could explain the frequency and the nature of use of documents in citing texts over time. The use of frequently and infrequently cited papers by the authors who cited them is discussed, and the functional classification schemes used are explained. (23 references) (LRW)

Describes results of a citation analysis of 209 articles from the "Journal of the American Society for Information Science" (JASIS) that was conducted to determine the intellectual base and the research front. Topics discussed include citation-based mapping techniques, including bibliographic coupling and cocitation analysis; and…

Presents an overview of the political economy approach to information studies. Political economy is defined, and its use in information research is described. Guidance is then provided for rethinking and renewing the assumptions and issues that the approach raises. Challenges from cultural studies and policy science are also discussed. (MES)

Presents definitions of convolutions, mathematical operations between sequences or between functions, and gives examples of their use in information science. In particular they can be used to explain the decline in the use of older literature (obsolescence) or the influence of publication delays on the aging of scientific literature. (Author/LRW)

A survey of information-science faculty at 193 institutions revealed that programs have changed dramatically in this decade to cover the Internet, networking, and client/server topics. Coverage of mainframe operating systems, COBOL programming, and decision support systems declined. The field has matured in terms of faculty tenure and terminal…

Examines the notions of aging, obsolescence, impact, growth, utilization, and related concepts in information science. Illustrates the influence of growth on aging, how aging rates can be corrected for growth, and the relation with impact measures. Presents mathematical results, practical calculations, and examples of these concepts. Gives a brief…

Metatheory is the analysis of the presuppositions of a field of knowledge or practice. This article examines presuppositions underlying concepts of information science: information, knowledge (personal and public), message, message designation, information want and need, query, and relevance and information search. Summarizes presuppositions in…

Shows how a philosophical analysis of the moral value of information can help librarians rethink some aspects of their professional values, especially their commitment to neutrality. Discusses the historical background of allowing fiction into library collections; the impact of technology; the moral character of information; and information,…

This tribute to Robert Fairthorne, a pioneer of information science, who died May 24, 2000. Honors his achievements, awards, years spent at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, theoretical papers published over twenty years, and his Canfield research in the United States. Highlights his transition from Aeronautical Research to Information Science.…

Describes a session that recognized student award winners in the information science field, including the UMI (University Microfilms International) Doctoral Dissertation Award; the ISI (Institute for Scientific Information) Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Scholarship; and the Pratt-Severn Best Student Research Paper Award. (LRW)

Information literacy is vital for medical practice. Considerations for continuing education planners include (1) continuous development of informatics skills; (2) certification of information competence; (3) contextualization of information literacy skills; (4) convergence of technological and information literacy; and (5) collaboration through…

Highlights the recent development of dynamic archival strategies for managing and achieving intellectual control over records. Discussion includes a definition of archival description; standards of archival description; the Australian "series" system approach to description and intellectual control of records; metadata and recordkeeping…

Argues that aggressive and informed recruitment efforts are needed to reflect the library and information science (LIS) profession's commitment to a diverse work force. Discusses recruitment theory, outlining personal factors influencing recruitment, and implications for practice. Makes recommendations for LIS recruitment efforts. (PEN)

Provides a framework for discussing public computer systems (PCS) as tools in client-organization communication. Describes a three-level analysis scheme (object, functional, strategic) for client-organization encounters. Concludes that PCSs provide an important new focus for information-systems studies because they can be used to design new social…