J. Linda Williams was coordinator of school library services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools prior to her retirement. She served as AASL President 2005-2006 and is also a past president of the Maryland Association of School Librarians. Looking back on her 2005-2006 term as AASL President, Williams writes that she feels that particular year…

Studies about diversity initiatives in academic libraries have primarily focused on large research libraries. But what kinds of diversity work occur at smaller libraries? This study examines the status of diversity initiatives, especially those aimed at students, at national liberal arts college libraries. Results from a survey of library…

As more and more New Yorkers turn to digital books, Wikipedia and other online tools for information and entertainment, there is a growing sense that the age of the public library is over. But, in reality, New York City's public libraries are more essential than ever. Far from becoming obsolete, the city's three public library systems--Brooklyn,…

The latest and most comprehensive assessment of public librarians' education and career paths to date, this important volume reports on a large-scale research project performed by authors Jose-Marie Griffiths and Donald W. King. Presented in collaboration with the Office for Research and Statistics (ORS), the book includes an examination of trends…

For-profit schools constitute the fastest-growing sector of higher education institutions in the United States. Yet accompanying the phenomenal growth of these proprietary colleges and universities has been considerable controversy over the role that the profit motive should play in higher education. The literature of higher education contains…

Embedded librarians, connected with students and faculty inside the classroom, lab and studio, have new opportunities for preparing students for research and for collaborating with faculty on course-integrated information literacy, research assignment design, teaching, assignment interpretation, and timely student assistance. What makes embedded…

As academic libraries move toward the electronic frontier for their serial subscriptions, there are several issues to be considered. This paper intends to outline the advantages and disadvantages with respect to electronic and paper serials, address selection criteria, and describe our practice in coping with these issues at the Leddy Library of…

Illustrates how librarians can advocate their strong transferable abilities to management when coping with staffing shifts and shortages. Highlights include entrepreneurship and a move beyond traditional roles; application of skills; professional achievement in a new environment; examples of information roles and skills that function beyond the…

Discusses corporate sponsorships as a new source of library funding. Highlights include maintaining the library mission, visible endorsement of organizations, use of written guidelines and contracts, and the traditional library role as a "bankable strength." A sidebar describes the Fund for America's Libraries, a source of information on…

Argues that the traditional division of public and technical services in academic libraries and the corresponding designation of librarians according to function are being challenged by technological change and budget restraints. It is suggested that new systems of collegial management and subject specialization may be the wave of the future.…

The strong emphasis of technology is slowly diminishing the importance of the human element in libraries. The current changes in population demand cultural sensitivity training in all walks of life. Libraries and librarians have a role to play. They need to cope with the multicultural environment by understanding the basics of multiculturalism and…

Describes Ohio's Library Leadership 2000 (LL2000) institute, an intensive leadership training program for Ohio librarians designed to provide effective leadership skills necessary for use in a rapidly changing environment. A sidebar lists the LL2000 mentors. (JLB)

Focuses on the intellectual character of academic librarianship and defines the concept of librarians' programmatic responsibilities. These responsibilities are by definition undelegatable and constitute an exclusive locus of power within the profession. The role of librarians should be determined by these exclusive responsibilities, not by…

Using published studies and references, shows why the requirement that a manager of interlibrary loan be a librarian with a master's degree in Library Science may be outmoded in the modern academic library. Discusses the librarian's role, certification and professional elitism, job requirements, and user needs. (AEF)

Compares three system models (closed, open, dissipative) with traditional models for adoption of new technology and library operations. Argues that information-provider organizations (libraries) must be able to adapt to radical changes in their environments in order to remain viable economic entities. (Author/AEF)