Discusses the ethical problems of the reference librarian-client relationship in terms of the responsibilities of the librarian and the policies of the library. Codes of ethics are found to be of little use, and other approaches to solving ethical problems--such as identification and discussion of issues--are suggested. (36 references) (MES)

Provides excerpts from David Berninghausens's "Social Responsibility vs. the Library Bill of Rights" and responses that appeared in "Library Journal" in 1972 and 1973 because of the continuing debate over the role of the American Library Association (ALA) Social Responsibilities Round Table and whether or not ALA should take…

Provides general guidelines for requesting and supplying interlibrary loan materials between libraries. The code does not prescribe the nature of interlibrary cooperation within formally established networks, but it may be used as a model for local, state, or regional codes. Sources of specific guidelines and procedures are contained in the…

Presents two accounts of the 1991 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Conference in Moscow. One article focuses on activities of the actual conference itself, including the politics of IFLA; and the second article provides an account of the Soviet coup from a conference attendee's point of view. (LRW)

Discussion of videocassettes in our culture and the function of video collections in libraries focuses on the creation and demise of a unit sponsored by the American Library Association, the ALA Video and Special Projects. The unit's role is discussed and funding decisions that led to its demise are explained. (LRW)

Four articles provide overviews of as many library association conferences, i.e., the American Library Association (ALA), Canadian Library Association (CLA), Medical Library Association (MLA), and Special Library Association (SLA). Highlights include budget concerns; honors and awards; social, national, and international issues; and changes in the…

Provides summaries of the presentations at the North Carolina Library Association's Biennial Conference, "Choose Quality, Choose Libraries," (Raleigh, NC, October 8-10, 1997). Some of the topics covered include library instruction, Internet access to public documents, outsourcing technical services, copyrights and the Internet, the…

Discusses the common practice whereby international organizations rotate conference venues and schedule conferences in developing countries. Based on a study of the International Association of School Librarianship, a content analysis of conference proceedings revealed that the venue had an impact on conference topics and themes. (Author/LRW)

Examines the role of professional standards in fostering good practice in librarianship. Discusses librarian liability theories and malpractice risk; professional conduct, including standards and an enforcement mechanism; professional knowledge; skills or competencies, including the role of library associations; and shared values. (Author/LRW)

This article discusses the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), a plan that is quickly gaining the support of library organizations around the globe. The FRBR Study Group was appointed by International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and issued its final report in 1998. The report redefines the basic unit of…

The purpose of the study reported here was to determine the effectiveness of the revised New York State Depository System, which had been operating for more than two years when the survey was conducted. Data were gathered from the depository libraries about their organization, bibliographic control and staffing, and to determine whether or not…

Based on the needs that exist and the scarcity of programs in this area, a model for continuing education for the Special Libraries Association through which its members can arrange an educational program to suit their particular needs is proposed. (Author)

This paper discusses a number of factors that an editor should consider when publishing a state library/media journal, using examples from the production process of the Ohio Media Spectrum (OMS), the official journal of the Ohio Educational Library/Media Association. These examples have been selected to illustrate the various points: (1) selecting…

Four of the 10 papers in this collection are presented in the original language, i.e., either French or German, and English translations are provided for two of them. The papers are: (1) "UAP (Universal Availability of Publications) and Its Relation to Research and Education" (Maurice B. Line); (2) "Zehn Jahre IFLA-Abteilung…

The Committee on Cooperation of the Association of College and Research Libraries, Bibliographic Instruction (ACRL, BIS) devised questionnaires which were sent to library and professional associations in various academic disciplines to identify existing groups concerned with bibliographic instruction. The first questionnaire sent to current…