Public libraries emerged as educational institutions during the second half of the 19th century. Their aim was the intellectual and moral improvement of individuals and societies. After several decades it became evident that public libraries had failed as "people's universities." They came to acknowledge the provision of entertainment as…

Considers the role of library support for distance learning activities at the University of Surrey, with specific reference to master's programs in linguistics and in English language teaching management, whose students have no face-to-face contact with staff since most of them work overseas. Describes the distance learners' information service.…

Describes historical background, organization, funding, and current course structure and accreditation in Australia's national system of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Discusses implications of recent VET changes for rural college libraries in terms of providing appropriate resources to training programs and flexible services to students…

Discussion of censorship against books in public and school libraries focuses on intellectual freedom; First Amendment rights; and curriculum development to include lessons on the First Amendment. Offers suggestions for activities focusing on censorship and banned books. (LRW)

Discussion of the need for library outreach programs for children focuses on the idea of partnering and building community relationships. Highlights include the need for a model change for library outreach; library images; staff changes; networking and marketing; communicating; and changing attitudes. (LRW)

Discussion of the role of academic librarians and faculty status highlights the importance of a holistic view of the academic model of librarianship and suggests a system for providing support and judging performance. Topics addressed include activities in teaching, research, and service; performance criteria; scheduling; training; and evaluation…

Describes activities developed by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and the Illinois State Library to prepare librarians for a new role in local economic development. Discusses results of a survey on library support for community development in terms of services and business materials collections. (AEF)

Rapid changes in technology, media, and student needs are changing the way designers look at libraries. Examples of recently built libraries reflect five current trends in library design: (1) clustered services; (2) individualized spaces; (3) centers for collaborative learning; (4) repositories of merged media; and (5) information literacy…

Considers the possibility of a bibliographic management tool that combines file storage with a Napster-like communications protocol, called docster. Explains Napster and discusses copyright issues, interlibrary loans, infrastructure, security concerns, the library's role, and online publishing. (LRW)

Describes the FLIP IT framework for developing collaborative resource-based activities by outlining the interrelationships of the specific skills and information that will be needed. Discusses the role of teachers and librarians in the process and provides a sample worksheet. (LRW)

Discusses challenges facing teacher librarians to plan a future for the information-knowledge environments in schools and suggests that action and evidence-based, learning-centered practice focusing on a constructivist inquiry approach are important. Topics include perceived lack of support and understanding; funding; professional development; a…

Discussion of society's interest in history and memory focuses on library preservation policies and practices. Topics include technology and electronic information taking precedence over printed material; changes in museums; fears about cultural change and loss; negative impacts of new technologies; public opinion about the role of libraries; and…

Discusses the role of public libraries in helping their communities deal with crisis situations, especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Highlights include the need to be proactive and not wait to be asked to participate in planning; status of emergency planning; providing reliable information; and asking users about their information…

Describes the four priorities of Ernest Boyer's "Basic School": the school as community; climate for learning; a curriculum with coherence; and a commitment to character. Suggests that the Basic School framework and the principles of "Information Power" are mutually supportive in developing a learning community characterized by…

A "professor librarian" at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland discusses the origins of her dual role; evolving and morphing roles; technology instruction in library education; reasons that librarians make ideal teachers of computer applications; problems with and benefits of the librarian as professor; and future…