Reviews common law contract and tort bases for malpractice liability and their applicability to reference librarians, special librarians, and information brokers. The discussion covers the legal bases for professional malpractice liability, the librarian-patron relationship, the likelihood of lawsuits, and the need for personal liability…

Describes a survey of reference librarians that examined their behavior and preferences when searching for conference proceedings identified by a generic term for meeting and the name of the corporate body holding the meeting. Current cataloging practices are evaluated in light of the findings. The questionnaire used is appended. (eight…

This article describes the Software Evaluation Clearinghouse for Educators of the Hearing Impaired at Gallaudet University (Washington, DC). Software compatible with Apple and IBM hardware is collected, rated by clearinghouse members, and described in a printed catalog. Tips on starting a software lending library are offered. (PB)

Looks at current scenarios in the book worlds of the United States and the United Kingdom, including taxes on books, net book pricing, and public lending rights; traces their historical background; and shows differences in attitudes and priorities in these leading publishing countries. (34 references) (MES)

Summarizes strategies and techniques of effective bargaining that will empower the negotiator in virtually any bargaining situation, whether personal or collective. Sources of bargaining power and their applicability to particular negotiations are described, with emphasis on librarians as negotiators. (CLB)

Describes a study that examined the effect of adding retrospective conversion holdings to OCLC on the number of interlibrary loan requests received, and determined the added costs or benefits of the project. Findings discussed include the impact of the library's use of OCLC and the effect of types of materials cataloged on interlibrary loan…

Describes a Delphi study in which Finnish experts predicted the extent of information technology use in libraries and information centers. Predictions are summarized in the areas of workstations; fax and electronic mail; videotex; print, electronic, and optical publishing; indexing and storage of sounds and images; speech recognition and scanning…

Investigates toy libraries in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland. Community toy libraries provide a place where parents and caretakers can congregrate and children's learning can be facilitated through imitation and stimulation. (RJC)

The fourth in a series of articles on library buildings completed in the 1980s describes and evaluates new and remodeled buildings in Australia and New Zealand. The types of library buildings evaluated include state, public, academic, parliamentary, national, and special libraries. (30 notes/references) (Author/CLB)

Discusses trends affecting the editing of library journals: (1) changes in the numbers and specialization of journals and in the literature itself; (2) changes in the profession, such as an increased emphasis on publishing and formality in professional relationships; and (3) changes in the technology available for the preparation, production, and…

Discusses childrens' interest in messages and messengers; describes the role and impact of messages in a variety of books; and presents ideas for activities for elementary and secondary school students that suggest imaginative ways of using words, symbols, and language to offer children the chance to become messengers and communicators. (36…

Discusses the concept of main entry in MARC bibliographic records based on the definition in the revised second edition of the "Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules." Access points versus entries are considered; differences between card catalog and online catalog environments are examined; and primary access is suggested as an appropriate…

Through various classic texts, this article examines the concept of "library" and the many forms in which libraries are portrayed in science fiction. A sidebar contains a bibliography of recent anthologies of science fiction stories and novellas. (AEF)

While most organizations, including libraries, can benefit from a structured wiring system, few likely have the expertise and resources to place, specify, and install network cabling by themselves. This article reviews common wiring plans, addresses basic concepts of structured wiring systems, and discusses the importance and benefits of such a…

Provides a bibliographic listing of 49 reference materials, books, and video recordings that relate to racial and ethnic diversity. (LRW)