Lays down theoretical groundwork for information retrieval (IR) that involves the combined efforts of several users, and argues that the fundamental intellectual problems of IR are the production and consumption of knowledge. Highlights include collaboration in IR, examples of collaborative information systems and services, and future research…

Presents abstracts of papers for a planned session dealing with the historiography and history of information science. Highlights include probability distributions underlying the use of library materials, particularly scientific journals; the temporal and historical orientation of the rhetoric of information science; and concepts of information…

This column assesses the state of library and information studies (LIS) research. Researchers and practitioners in various LIS fields address questions related to the research front and agenda for collection development; what the field needs to advance further; whether it needs a more sophisticated conceptual or theoretical framework; operational…

Continues previous research on indirect-collective referencing (ICR) in physics literature, focusing on the level of communications and specific degree of documentedness of a communication. Explains ICR as a special kind of scientific referencing, mentioning references that are not indexed and hence not included in the Science Citation Index. (LRW)

Critiques the model of information literacy as a central purpose of librarianship. Reviews the appropriateness of the "learning methodology" of the information literacy model. Outlines the challenge of relating information literacy to workplace competencies. Proposes that information literacy be refocused away from information toward learning, and…

Presents issues relating to the future direction of information science. Investigates the history and scientific basis of information science. Discusses the change from its genesis as an academic discipline in the 1950s to its practitioner base in the 1990s. Concludes that information science will make a significant contribution to other…

Describes the following sessions: "Knowledge Management: A Celebration of Humans Connected with Quality Information Objects (Plenary Session 1); "Intellectual Property Rights and the Emerging Information Infrastructure (Plenary Session 2); and "Knowledge: Creation, Organization and Use (Conference Wrap-up Session). (AEF)

Information professionals and those who educate them face enormous challenges. Increasingly easy access to communication media and information is altering perceptions of the very nature of information work, globally. There is no doubt that there are many challenges facing present and prospective information professionals too. These include issues…

Drawing on library and information science, strategy, and organizational theory, this article presents a theoretical approach to the determination of corporate library contribution to its parent firm. This approach departs from previous work on this topic, which focused on corporate library contribution to corporate operations and standing,…

In the field of library and information science, also known as information studies, critical theory is often not included in debates about the discipline's theoretical foundations. This paper argues that the critical theory of Herbert Marcuse, in particular, has a significant contribution to make to the field of information studies. Marcuse's…

In contrast to the considerable coverage of research methods and report writing, relatively little attention has been given in the professional literature to the steps that should be taken and issues which may be borne in mind by a researcher seeking to have his or her work published. By addressing ten broad questions reflecting common concerns,…

A graduate level course in library and information science was revised from face-to-face instruction to a blended learning model utilizing on site, interactive television, and online classes. This study investigates three related questions: (1) Will students provide detailed feedback if given the opportunity to complete an anonymous survey? (2)…

In "The two cultures and the scientific revolution," C.P. Snow (1959) described the chasm between pure and applied science, on the one hand, and the arts and humanities, on the other. Snow was concerned that the complete lack of understanding between these "two cultures" would hamper the spread of the scientific/industrial…

Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, and social networking sites have impacted the Information Literacy (IL) curriculum at The American University in Cairo, where librarians teach LALT 101, a required, semester-long IL course. During fall 2005 and spring 2006, librarians used a Web 2.0 photo sharing tool, Flickr (www.flickr.com), to teach…

Information literacy instruction is integrated into the distance education program in library and information science (LEEP) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This article describes the LEEP program and the library services provided to its students. Published research on LEEP and related topics in librarianship is reviewed.…