The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers student workshops that range from Cool New Web Stuff (what is on the web that can help make research or just plain life easier) and How To Use Google Scholar. These workshops are brilliant fodder for podcasting. In fact, the initial idea for its podcast project came from a student plagiarism…

The baby boom generation--those born during the post-World War II years 1946 through 1964--has a track record of rebellion that has caused startling cultural and social transformations, including rock 'n' roll, the peace movement, civil rights, and agendas we can be less proud of. Reports indicate that this generation is again poised to create a…

Discussion of the scheduling procedures of librarians' hours at the reference desk at the Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library, University of Alberta, highlights services provided, the preference table system, and manual scheduling versus computer scheduling. (EJS)

Describes the method and circumstances which allow for free online searches at the California State College-Stanislaus Library. Discussion includes reviewing search requests, feeless flexibility, and cost effectiveness. (JVP)

Shares some highlights of the March 8, 1979 meeting between the President's top policy-makers, members of the National Commission on Library and Information Science (NCLIS), and the staff of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services. (JD)

Reports on the first national conference of REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking. Discusses REFORMA's activist history and describes conference programs geared toward promoting cultural awareness to help libraries build relationships with Hispanic and Latino communities. Attendees shared concerns…

Describes the Libraries Online program by Microsoft and the American Library Association that provides low-income communities with access to online information by wiring public libraries to the Internet. Highlights activities at the Brooklyn Public Library and discusses earlier pilot projects, including the Technology Resource Institute for Public…

Examines how librarians are customizing their services and collections for handheld computing. Discusses the widest adoption of PDAs (personal digital assistants) in libraries that serve health and medical communities; PDA-friendly information pages; the reference focus; journals and databases; lending materials; publicity; use of PDAs by library…

Discusses digital reference services, also known as virtual reference, chat reference, or online reference, based on a round table discussion at the 2002 American Library Association annual conference in Atlanta. Topics include numbers and marketing; sustainability; competition and models; evaluation methods; outsourcing; staffing and training;…

This third article in a series dealing with libraries' compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act addresses architectural considerations, including library furnishings; accessibility problems outside the library building; architectural barriers in library interiors; and responsibilities of public and private entity libraries. (LRW)

Describes use of the STAR (System Training for Accurate Reference) program at the Baltimore County Public Library to improve the interview skills of reference staff. The effectiveness of the program, staff training, performance evaluation, and effects of budget cuts are discussed. A sidebar summarizes STAR behaviors: open questions, verifying, and…

Presents W. Edwards Deming's Total Quality Management method and advocates its adoption in libraries. The 14 points that form the basis of Deming's philosophy are discussed in the context of the library setting. A flow chart of the reference process and user survey questions are included. (MES)

Describes strategies library director Dan Wilson used to keep the New Orleans Public Library ahead of budget shortfalls. Successful lobbying efforts to get a tax levy; growth in the library budget, technology, and services; changes in the service population; and Wilson's role as a facilitator are covered. (KRN)

Reports on the activities at the Canadian Library Association (CLA) 1992 annual conference. Topics discussed include First Nations libraries; help for third world countries; censorship; IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) activities; financial concerns of CLA; publishing plans; work on a national information…

Discusses the role of libraries in distance education for higher education institutions. Highlights include new standards from the Association of College and Research Libraries; the need for planning; promoting the library's role; librarians as instructors; proactive service; and a list of distance-education resources available on the Web. (LRW)