Rapid technological change has caused some to question the need for the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). We argue that the traditional roles of FDLP libraries in selecting, acquiring, organizing, preserving, and providing access to and services for government information are more important than ever in the digital age.

After decades of costly and time-consuming effort, nearly all libraries have completed the retrospective conversion of their card catalogs to electronic form. However, bibliographic systems still are really not much more than card catalogs on wheels. Enriched content that Amazon.com takes for granted--such as digitized tables of contents, cover…

On April 21, 2004, the Joe L. Frost Children's Play and Play Environments Research Collection was dedicated at the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Library at the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas. This brief article describes the collection and Frost's plans for the future.

Library media specialists are often asked when to create a new record in cataloging various editions of the same title for library media center collections. This article, adapted from the new edition of "Catalog It," will provide some hints to answer this question. In some cases, it is easy to recognize when two copies of the same information…

Even though librarians fulfill the roles of teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator many outside the library still say that librarians don't do anything. However, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes before the library program begins.

This article presents the results of a web-based survey that examined current tasks performed within Access Services departments in academic libraries and explored future trends in the area. Thirty-four core tasks that rated more than sixty percent on the survey were identified as being common to most Access Services departments. Future trends…

The intersection of public institutions managing large amounts of information and knowledge and new information and communication technologies has brought forward exciting and innovative changes to the ways information and knowledge have been traditionally managed. This paper provides a brief snapshot of some of the key issues facing the library…

Many secrets can be told by the physical surroundings of library media centers. Whether the center is kid-friendly is one of the first obvious tell-tale signs. When a library center has Arthur & D.W., Clifford, Pooh & Eeyore, shells, special rocks, etc. hidden by the circulation center or in the back in boxes, it's time to revolt. The movie Free…

Key themes in the development of adult and community learning over the past 10 years have included widening participation, inclusive learning and partnership working. In her 2007 book, "Reminiscence and Lifelong Learning," the author used the example of reminiscence work to illustrate how drawing on learners' memories of past experiences can…

In this article, the author traces her journey from fulfilling her evolving job duties to an increased sense of awareness that advocacy was an integral part of her work. The author started her career by doing the best she could do for the library media program she managed, and evolved to become an advocate for school libraries in general. Through…

"Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries" has long been an important tool for librarians making collection development decisions. This study examines the holdings and usage for books reviewed in "Choice," books designated by "Choice" as Outstanding Academic Titles, and the general collections of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries.

Corporate librarians hold the key to determining new ways to work within their environments. They must drive the process to change the view of the company library as a liability--as overhead, as a cost center, as part of the problem--to the library as a solution center, a necessary investment. For the sixth consecutive year, corporate libraries…

In this article, the author presents an interview with Brewster Kahle, leader of the Open Content Alliance (OCA). OCA book scan program is an alternative to Google's library project that aims to make books accessible online. In this interview, Kahle discusses his views on the challenges of getting books on the Web, on Google's library…

In this article, the author describes how the role of school librarians has transformed. Today's school librarians do much more than stock shelves with books. They may do any or all of the following: (1) facilitate "library" classes that help students understand how to use technology to conduct research, doling out homework and…

Writing a mission statement is difficult, especially today when the need for libraries is being openly questioned. Now more than ever, librarians, trustees, and patrons must determine how libraries can best serve their communities and express their conclusions in their mission statements. A clear sense of purpose provides an essential foundation…