Presents a brief sketch of A.J. (Jack) Meadows's career. Notes that he has written many significant articles and books in information science and related fields, many of them of seminal importance. Highlights his contributions to the field and to the many people who have worked with him. (AEF)

Considers the value of information contained within a library's online public access catalog. Assesses the value of MARC records; authority records; indexes; location and status information; and value for an individual. (LRW)

Discusses the fact that paper and microfiche materials remain a substantial part of most federal document collections and suggests ways to identify rare and unique documents that need to be preserved. Describes preservation activities and options and considers whether digitization is a good alternative. (LRW)

British librarians working as bibliotherapists developed linkages with community service and health care agencies. The project influenced emotional and mental well-being of participants, increased the use of social and cultural facilities, and may eventually affect family literacy. (SK)

Studied tribal libraries through visits to libraries in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona. Tribal libraries serve as key information centers for the tribe's sovereign nation, and are almost always the education center of the community. However, they get minimal federal support, and few states enjoy a functional working relationship with them. (SLD)

Presents reports from: National Technical Information Service; National Archives and Records Administration; United States Information Agency; National Center for Educational Statistics Library Statistics Cooperative Program; Library of Congress; Center for the Book; Federal Library and Information Center Committee; National Agricultural Library;…

Provides reports from the following national associations and organizations: American Library Association (ALA); Association of American Publishers (AAP); Association of Research Libraries (ARL); and Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). (AEF)

Discusses the importance of proper lighting in spaces dedicated to reading and computer use, such as libraries. Topics include glare and reflection; contrast; shadows; damage to paper and bindings from light; aesthetic issues; different categories of lighting; types of fixtures; and achieving a balance by varying lighting and fixtures. (LRW)

This historical study explores a definition of information management that centers on the ordering and channeling of non-publicly available information within organizations. Highlights three types of organizations: the business corporation; the library; and the state agency, specifically British military intelligence. (Contains 44…

Presents personal and professional competencies for special librarians in the 21st century identified by the Special Libraries Association. Discusses the competencies categorized under general headings: vision, service, networks, professional growth, and political acumen. Provides the URL for a complete listing of the competencies. (PEN)

This article is a survey of representative metadata efforts, comparing them to MARC 21 metadata in order to determine if new electronic formats require the development of a new set of standards. Explains the Dublin Core, the need for metadata, and discusses and describes the Library of Congress PCC Core. (Author/LRW)

Includes four articles that discuss the use of digital objects to represent value in a network environment; digital library initiatives at the central public funding organization for academic research in Germany; an application of the Digital Object Identifier System; and the Web site of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. (LRW)

Presents a bibliographic selection of nonfiction work on the Holocaust in 31 countries, focusing specifically on the Jewish Holocaust. Countries are arranged alphabetically with brief commentaries plus one to four relevant titles per country. Three titles of general interest for quick reference are cited at the end of the list. (SM)

Most library Web sites offer lists of recommended Web sites for primary sources with only cursory summaries of the sites. While many of the resources listed are outstanding, too many are dubious in quality, often referring to dead URLs or sites containing no information on their sponsor, source of material, or other information needed to evaluate…

The author of this column describes several instances in which secure data on computers were compromised. In each of these instances, a different route was involved in gaining access to the secure data--one by office-based theft, one by hacking, and one by burglary. Is is proposed that the most difficult factor to guarantee in the protection of…