Examines the information practices and strategies used by interdisciplinary scientists in research libraries. Highlights include gathering and disseminating knowledge outside their core knowledge domains through personal networks, conferences, and the literature; intermediaries who help transfer knowledge and information from unfamiliar subject…

Outlines the Family Friendly Libraries (FFL) charter and how its aims challenge equal and unrestricted access to information as mandated by the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights. Discussions include how FFL might hurt libraries, how libraries can "keep things positive" by promoting services that FFL can support, and…

Describes the work of librarians at Illinois State University in teaching faculty about the Internet through a series of librarian-initiated and faculty-initiated projects. Explains how librarians continued their role as information providers, adapting to the situations faced by the faculty, whose information needs did not always match their…

In response to marketplace and organizational changes, Owens Corning Corporate Library developed a strategic plan to secure its function within the organization. Describes outsourcing transactional services, creating an Intranet/Internet tool for users, redefining the library as a knowledge resource center, and achieving team commitment. A sidebar…

Examines the nature and value of undergraduate students' experiences with the academic library based on responses from more than 300,000 students between 1994 and 2002 to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ). Highlights include demonstrating the library's educational value; information literacy; satisfaction with the college…

Discusses the need for professional development opportunities for school library media specialists and describes the development of a workshop in Georgia for new media specialists. Includes the roles and responsibilities of media specialists, including collaboration with teachers; and decision-making responsibilities. (LRW)

Explains the Primary Years Program (PYP), an inquiry framework developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization that describes the characteristics of an international student in the learner profile and describes its use in the Vienna International School. Discusses collaborative planning by teachers; real-life connections; and role of the…

Suggests library media specialists have a responsibility to make educational funding laws work for their children and communities. Discusses the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act; NCLB and libraries, and online resources; Reading First Grants; "VISIONS 2020: Transforming Education and Training through Advanced Technologies" and "Technology in…

Discusses how librarians in the new role of "informationist" can help doctors and researches of medical information. Describes existing models of the informationist; potential benefits of working across professional boundaries outside the library; professional requirements; and unresolved issues for the new role, including potential…

Discussion of the reference practitioner-client relationship in academic libraries focuses on mediation and client self-determination. Highlights include the role of librarians, assessing the needs of the client, limitations in client capacity to make choices, empowering clients, and developing partnerships. (Author/LRW)

Describes the library media center programs at Blue Valley High School (Kansas), the proactive stance it takes in the curriculum, and how it maintains an active role in the school community. Topics include developing a comfortable atmosphere for teachers and students, financial and moral administrative support, and the use of technology. (LRW)

Presents four challenges faced by libraries and proposes research designs to address each of them. The challenges involve: invisible infrastructure; content and collections; preservation and access; and institutional boundaries. Proposes a mixture of research methods that includes surveys, case studies, documentary analyses, and policy analyses.…

Reports results of a nationwide survey of first-year experience (FYE) courses for college freshmen to determine whether FYE course curricula contained a library component, especially information literacy. Discusses who develops the library component, who teaches it, course content, and the role that libraries and librarians play. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of the public library in adult lifelong learning and literacy programs in light of federal legislation. Topics include funding issues; the librarian's role in fostering attitudes of creation and recreation; and the role of education for librarianship in preparing graduates for work with adult lifelong learners. (Contains 49…

Describes a program in Seattle, the Rapid Library Transformation Initiative, that was designed to help transform libraries by changing the way librarians do their jobs. Discusses the presentation by Michael Eisenberg that encouraged school librarians to reach out to teachers more frequently and focus on their roles in information literacy, reading…