Argues that special librarians are not fact keepers but "catalysts in the knowledge continuum." Examines special librarians, the information business, and knowledge management; the knowledge continuum (data, information, knowledge, behavior) and strategies for successful "transformational librarianship": organizing information,…

Presents an assessment of the job market and salaries for children's librarians. Discusses the necessity for relevant education and job experience, and offers essential advice for librarians planning careers in youth services: do your research; build a network of colleagues; don't stay in a job you don't like; learn to compromise; and be positive.…

Examines the view taken of the importance of information and information technology by the government in the new democratic South Africa. Highlights include the relationship between new principles of governance and citizenship of transparency and accountability and information provision; the Reconstruction and Development Program; and the role of…

Provides an overview of national information policy and analyzes fundamental concepts in information policy. Concludes that though there is confusion about the meaning of concepts, there are frameworks in information and information policies studies that can provide input for development of information policy. Describes frameworks and how they can…

Advocates reexamining reference services and outreach programs, and relating them more closely. Argues that archival records are underutilized and that archivists should proactively reach out to researchers and encourage research use. Discusses researcher services; measuring and reporting on researcher use; electronic records; and creating…

Proposes a model of browsing-based conceptual information retrieval employing two different types of dictionaries, a global dictionary and a local dictionary. The documents are ranked by the conceptual closeness to a query, and are arranged in the form of a user's personal digital library. (Author/MES)

Discussion of digital reference services and the use of real-time versus asynchronous services such as email focuses on data from the AskERIC digital reference service to demonstrate that asynchronous services are not only useful but may have greater utility than real-time systems. (Author/LRW)

Considers the logico-analytic philosophy of library and information science (LIS); discusses Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative action; examines how LIS, particularly research into librarian-patron interaction and information system design, favors an empiricist view of language and thus may be limiting its effectiveness; and suggests the…

Describes an international forum that was designed to affirm the knowledge and values of indigenous peoples in the information age, including Maoris from New Zealand and members of the American Indian Library Association. Discusses how efforts in New Zealand are models for how to advance library services to indigenous populations. (Author/LRW)

These four articles discuss the role of metadata registries for the Semantic Web; the development of a community digital library called the Digital Library for Earth System Education using meta-design; digital preservation and levels of service for digital repositories; and digitizing cultural materials and indigenous cultural and intellectual…

Describes the designs of the Ferris State University Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE), and the Meyer Library and Information Technology Center at Southwest Missouri State University. Includes photographs. (EV)

Explains the process of creating, implementing, and getting results from a usability study of a library Web site while spending little or no money, based on experiences at the Kansas City Public Library. Topics include how to design the test; finding volunteers to participate; and how to use the results. (LRW)

Explains the USA PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act, passed after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and its implications for libraries and patron records. Considers past dealings with the FBI; court orders; search warrants; wiretaps; and subpoenas. Includes:…

Children's Television Workshop recently commissioned a nationwide survey in which 736 teachers in grades 3 through 6 were asked how they access and present educational programing in their classrooms. Teachers use educational television, and they prefer 15- to 30-minute shows that focus on a single topic. (MLF)

Provides an introduction to and analysis of hermeneutics as an alternative research method for library and information science, discussing its philosophical advantages over quantitative research. The triadic process of interpretation is described as particularly suitable for advancing the theoretical foundations of library and information science.…