Reviews and describes the current crisis in science literacy and formulates an information-based definition of the term. Library issues and concerns are discussed, including the role of librarians in defining the information-seeking behavior of science-literate users, describing users' characteristics, and evaluating and applying appropriate…

Individuals from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds can have subtly variant communication styles that members of the dominant culture fail to recognize and often misunderstand. In an increasingly diverse world, librarians must become aware of these differences for more effective communication. (13 references) (EA)

Describes Jackson Community College's Professional Development Center, a drop-in center housing print and nonprint materials on hundreds of professional development topics. Reviews college efforts to motivate staff to use the center. Outlines the center's evaluation criteria. (DMM)

Discusses the role librarians can take in the international transfer of information. Topics discussed include the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), preservation of materials, international networks and information services, international telecommunications, international librarian exchanges, and…

Examines the involvement of public and village libraries in literacy and postliteracy programs in Africa south of the Sahara during the last two decades. Issues discussed include the extent of illiteracy in Black Africa, populations served by village libraries, African rural strategies of development, and the implications for library services. (44…

Discussion of teacher-librarians in Canadian schools focuses on "Partners in Action," a document of the Ontario Ministry of Education that addresses the role of the school library media program. School funding is discussed, and results of a survey of school libraries in Ontario are described. (LRW)

Includes seven articles that deal with public relations (PR) for school librarians. Highlights include image problems librarians face and suggestions for promoting more positive images; PR plans that focus on the past, present, and future; nontraditional ways that librarians can attract students and teachers; publicity techniques; and media center…

The Center for the Book established in 1977 began reading promotion campaigns in 1987 to raise national awareness and create new partnerships for the Library of Congress. The "Building a Nation of Readers" campaign, which culminates in 2000, the year of the Library of Congress's bicentennial, emphasizes the importance of reading to…

Discusses whether to provide library instruction for undergraduate chemistry majors as a separate class or integrated into courses, particularly for those who receive a degree certified by the American Chemical Society. The authors suggest that a librarian coordinate course-integrated instruction throughout the undergraduate curriculum. (LRW)

Discusses the role of libraries in providing emergent literacy experiences for children in day care and preschool programs. The importance of exposure to print is discussed, and a study is described that evaluated a library outreach program that was developed to promote emerging literacy in preschoolers. (LRW)

Discusses virtual libraries in corporate settings from the viewpoint of five special librarians. Highlights include competitive advantage, space and related collection issues, the use of technology, corporate culture, information overload, library vulnerability and downsizing, and the importance of service over format. (LRW)

An American delegation assesses how children are faring as libraries in China adapt to the contradictions of a socialist market economy. Discussion includes examples of public-, academic-, and school-library programs, librarian attitudes, technology, and future changes. (AEF)

Discusses the ethical challenges of information technology, particularly electronic indexes and the Internet; considers principles to guide students; and discusses possible librarian responses. Topics include Kant's categorical imperative, ownership, right to privacy, social responsibility, self-respect, plagiarism and copyrights, and three…

Discusses abuse of the Internet as an information source for classroom assignments and emphasizes the need for librarians to teach students and staff to evaluate information sources. Considers content, source, access, and structure, and lists Web sites that have evaluation guidelines as well as examples of bad sites. (LRW)

Describes and critiques emerging issues about Internet access in schools and school libraries. Discusses software products for filtering and rating expressive content on the Internet, reader-response-theory implications for filtering and rating Internet content, ambiguities, and the role of school librarians and acceptable-use policies. (AEF)