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)

Shows how a philosophical analysis of the moral value of information can help librarians rethink some aspects of their professional values, especially their commitment to neutrality. Discusses the historical background of allowing fiction into library collections; the impact of technology; the moral character of information; and information,…

Describes the development of the Library Bill of Rights and adoption of revisions to it in 1948. As the McCarthy era unfolded, librarians aligned themselves with an ideology of pluralist democracy and championed intellectual freedom. Highlights include specific intellectual freedom cases of the time and the involvement of the American Library…

Provides a history of the establishment of the AFL-CIO/ALA (American Federation of Labor (AFL)-Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)/American Library Association (ALA)) Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups. Topics include public learning, labor, and libraries; services to labor; problems and issues, including conflicts between…

Discusses the problems involved in assigning descriptors to works of art for online museum catalogs. The topics covered include the subjectivity of the analysis of art, factors that affect the cataloging of museum collections, and the online systems developed by various museums. (17 references) (CLB)

Discusses personnel cost projections as a component of overall academic library planning. Topics addressed include strategic planning; the impact of the external environment; accountability; visions and values; technology and personnel costs; new program initiatives; client-centered philosophies; cost studies; and the personnel program cost…

Divides librarianship into three categories with respect to change--library values, library technology, and library science--and discusses each in the context of changes in the last century to provide a basis for forecasting future changes. The broadening scope of librarianship and the library school curriculum of the future are also considered.…

Eight articles address topics related to library services to teenagers: (1) power inside and outside the library; (2) information needs and interests; (3) barriers to information access; (4) the ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA program; (5) information skills curriculum; (6) values education through libraries; (7) ethnic literacy; and (8) planning public…

Discusses progress made in meeting the information needs of health care administrators and the role of the library in providing information for administrative decision making. Highlights include health care economics; a shifting power structure; quality improvement initiatives; standards; communicating the role and value of library services; and…

Discusses issues of quality in public libraries in light of changes in services resulting from social and economic changes. Highlights include quality strategies, the customer service revolution, anticipating new markets, defining library values and missions, information technology, training staff for the future, funding, partnerships, and…