Adopts an interpretive and situated approach to observe and assess learners' problem solving using hypermedia. Conducts the evaluation in context by considering the use of Perseus, a hypermedia research project and online digital library developed at Tufts University, in particular undergraduate learning situations, and makes recommendations for…

Discusses the state of library education in Australia and refutes a previous article that suggested a loss of quality. Topics include faculty staffing questions; information science education versus library education; theoretical versus practical knowledge; and offering opportunities for fieldwork. (LRW)

Suggests concepts related to information that would be valuable to library users, including the expenses related to information; unique qualities and characteristics of databases; limits of the Web; understanding differences between magazines and scholarly journals; search engine differences; and an appreciation for the amount and variety of…

Describes the challenges and ultimate success of a partnership--the first of its kind--between San Jose State University and the city of San Jose to develop a joint library that was both innovative and economically sound. (EV)

Describes indexes to Web resources that have been created by librarians to be more discriminating than the usual Web search engines, some of which are organized by standard classification systems. Includes indexes by solo librarians as well as by groups of librarians, some in public libraries and some in higher education. (LRW)

Discussion of finding relevant documents in electronic document collections focuses on an evaluation of the Kea automatic keyphrase extraction algorithm which was developed by members of the New Zealand Digital Library Project. Results are based on evaluations by human assessors of the quality and appropriateness of Kea keyphrases. (Author/LRW)

Examines the interlibrary loan process used by libraries in Singapore and proposes that the existing paper-based manual system be replaced by a Web-based system. Presents an example of such a system that has been successfully designed and implemented at the Nanyang Technological University. (Author/LRW)

Describes a study of academic librarians' personal Web pages. Results of an email survey showed that most Web sites were developed voluntarily, usually as an extension of the institutional library's Web page, and that librarians who were provided with guidelines produced higher quality Web pages. (Author/LRW)

Provides an overview of the life of Mary Wright Plummer, a leader in American librarianship, and her effort to construct a personal identity as an independent woman. Highlights include her Quaker childhood; European travels; self-actualization and career strategies; and blending public and private spheres. (Contains 101 references.) (LRW)

Focuses on the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Programs. Discusses what and whom the National Endowment supports, applying for a grant, grantmaking programs, research and education, and includes a list of state humanities councils. Three tables show LSTA funding, national leadership…

Examines the renovation of a community college's traditional library into a combination library and technology center, including providing additional square footage, creating a new identity for the main entry, minimizing costs by preserving the existing structure, and revitalizing the interior spaces. Before and after photos are provided. (GR)

Discussion of ethical reference practice focuses on guidelines for the individual reference librarian's interactions with clients. Topics include the professional-client relationship; competence; diligence; confidentiality; independence of judgment; honesty and candor; and obligations to third parties, including the democratic society at large.…

Reflects on the application of peer coaching to the reference environment, suggests strategies for implementation, and relates peer coaching to the evaluation of reference effectiveness. Discusses behaviors specific to the reference interview and evaluating how well users are served. (Author/LRW)

Explains statistical significance so reference librarians can better understand users' information needs who ask statistics-related reference questions. Highlights include the t-test; bell curve, or Central Limit Theorem; reference interview theory; and analysis of variance. (LRW)

These six articles discuss various issues relating to digital libraries. Highlights include public access to digital materials; intellectual property concerns; the need for collaboration across disciplines; Greenstone software for construction and presentation of digital information collections; the Colorado Digitization Project; and conferences…