Before 1994 education in South Africa was divided along racial lines. There were separate departments of education for whites, coloureds (people of mixed decent), Indians (people of East Indian decent), and blacks (black Africans). Education for white children was much better funded than any of the others. The quality of the education that white…

Distinguishes between Knowledge and Information, emphasizes the importance of the distinction and the dangers of failing to recognize it, and argues for defining libraries as "Fortresses of Knowledge." (JD)

There is a distinction to be made between knowledge and information. Knowledge is orderly and cumulative; information is random and miscellaneous and may be collected simply because it is there. The information industry is flourishing, but knowledge institutions--colleges, universities, and libraries--go begging. The knowledge industry is actually…

This paper examines the functions and services of public, academic, special, and school libraries; identifies similarities and differences that might exist among them; looks at basic functions and how they relate to the characteristics of the library's clientele; determines to what extent the services have been cost-effective; and explores…

This discussion of the concept of knowledge reports findings about learning, particularly learning styles and strategies, and explores the potentials and limits of new technologies in the library. The library's role as a "convivial tool" which can enlarge the range of each person's competence is noted. Thirty-four references are…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is committed to bringing together museums and libraries across the country for conversations dedicated to developing a better understanding of the roles of libraries and museums as providers of public service to communities. The Future of Libraries and Museums in the 21st Century Planning…

The importance of the library in education today is such that one should deplore the mentality which places a higher priority on athletics than on the development of an adequate, to say nothing of an exciting and imaginative, library facility. An adequate library has a pot of coffee, a formalized library skills program, materials and equipment to…

Information technology plays a role both in library administration and in the use of information resources. Viewed in historical perspective, the "computer era" is just beginning, and the prospect of the "electronic book" is good. Librarians must be computer-literate and lead students and the public in the use of new…

Discussion of way in which books have functioned within framework of American librarianship highlights acquisition of books (libraries attempting to fill needs of everyone in geographical area, libraries devoted to filling needs of self-selected part of society, libraries devoted to collecting particular subject), and role of private collector of…

Non-traditional study has brought equivalency programs for adults, in-service education programs, institutes and special courses, continuing education centers, and external degrees. The key features of the non-traditional approach to education are redefinition of the roles of student and teacher, the use of learning contracts, and the multiplicity…

Major trends in library technology and technology in general, as indicated by information gathered through internal development work at the Dallas Public Library, professional readings, and interviews with experts, are discussed. Trends covered are: (1) internal library services focusing on a total systems approach to library automation; (2)…

LIBECON2000 is a project funded by DG13 of the European Commission within the Telematics Applications Programme that will run for three years (until early 2001). The project collects and publishes library statistics of 29 European countries on its World Wide Web site, http://www.libecon2000.org. This paper gives an account of the project's…

These remarks suggest that, although the world's cultures--and the culture of books--may be defined by languages, by traditions, and by historical movements, they are not confined by national boundaries: all boundaries in the world of culture and ideas are artificial and all are doomed to be dissolved. Since all culture belongs to all people,…

Library trustees should be more perceptive and aware of their responsibilities. There appears to be a lack of interest in the cooperation necessary to maintain a national library trustee organization. This fact should justify the development of public relations programs for libraries and library boards. The American Library Trustee Association…

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) sponsored the symposium "Scholarship and Libraries in Transition: A Dialogue about the Impacts of Mass Digitization Projects" in March 2006 at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The symposium was organized with a keynote and several other individual presentations, as well…