Provides a rationale for the information science community to consider the needs and challenges of spatial information issues as well as overviews of the seven articles on spatial information contained in this special topic issue. Brief biographies of the 16 authors are included. (six references) (KRN)

Discusses information production processes (IPP)--i.e., continuous mathematical models of production processes such as bibliographies, economic production processes, and social usages of words in a text--from the point of view of concentration theory. Gini's index is studied in the dual framework of IPPs. (27 references) (LRW)

Examines assumptions about knowledge, professionalism, and professionals that have their basis in the 19th century, and then asks how these assumptions might be changed by the shifting importance of information in our age. Suggests that pure knowledge has a problematic structure in the history of library and information studies. (Author/LRW)

Considers the nature of information and the field of librarianship. Topics include library philosophy; and library practice, including authority, cataloging, classification, epistemology, logic, ontology, and mind. (LRW)

Presents an abstract for a planned session on historical perspectives on encyclopedism, from 17th century initiatives to modern thought. Presentations include: "Concepts of Encyclopedia and the Organisation and Retrieval of Knowledge: Historical Perspectives" (W. Boyd Rayward); "Encyclopedism at the End of Modernity" (Mikel…

Considers the historic and contemporary import of Pierce Butler's "An Introduction to Library Science". Characterizes the content of each chapter and critically analyses the central theses. Relates Butler's positivistic premises, assumptions and conclusions to the congeries of competing epistemological and ideological standpoints that defines…

While mission statements for various libraries and information centers necessarily vary, all librarians face "two very pressing charges: make voluminous numbers of electronic resources as visible as possible in a landscape of multiple access points and simultaneously manage all the technology, tasks, and data necessary to facilitate such…

The purpose of this study was to explore and investigate the ways faculty at The School of Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh use electronic journals to obtain information to support their academic tasks, teaching, research and services. Library and Information Sciences faculty at the University of Pittsburgh were chosen as the…

Literature on general education in higher education generally and in library and/or information science education and training specifically, is reviewed. Drawing from this review and from the findings of an empirical study conducted in South Africa, this article discusses curriculum development in LIS education and training in both the university…

This article presents the results from a survey that investigated the latest requirements and certification standards for school librarians in each state. In the survey, 42 report they require certification for K-12 library media specialists, meaning that school library candidates must have a bachelor's degree including coursework designed to…

The Information Systems (IS) curriculum needs to be updated frequently due to the rapid rate of advances in information systems (IS) and the technologies that drive IS, and also industry's skill requirement of IS graduates. This paper describes a Career Skills Oriented Approach to enhance the graduate IS curriculum based on current information…

This comprehensive annual reviews new books and CD-ROMs for librarians. Part 1 contains four essays by prominent library and information professionals: (1) "Knowledge Management Opportunities for Libraries and Universities" (Martin Dillon); (2) "The Congress on Graduate Professional Education: Issues, Process, and…

Discussion of the current state of affairs in the field of library and information science in China highlights the specialty of science and technology information science. The information education system and curriculum are described, illiteracy and attitudes toward information are discussed, and the need for continuing education is suggested.…

The two fundamentally different technologies of cathode ray tube and photon composition are examined in order to analyze their impact on library and information science. (Author/PF)

History and review of basic reference service. (LS)