In a time when information self-service and enhanced competition have sent libraries of all types into an oftentimes desperate search for a renewed sense of purpose, a fundamentally important question takes center stage: How can libraries connect with the deepest aspirations of their service communities? This article describes a new library…

Summarizes the results of a study that identified researchable issues related to the role of libraries in the information society. Specific research questions are presented within the categories of access to information; information needs and users; libraries and education; library models; the role of public services librarians; and education and…

Discusses the role of libraries in providing access to data in electronic form. Types of data are described, including social data, scientific data, and humanities data; the definition of libraries and library services is considered; and acquisition of the skills needed to provide effective access is discussed. (20 references) (LRW)

This proceedings of the 1999 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) annual conference contains: information on the current, future, and past conferences; a message from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the patron of the Thai Library Association; a conference program; an alphabetical list of authors; and 112…

Discusses the need for digital librarians who will manage and organize digital libraries. Topics include digital information systems; the information superhighway; navigation, browsing, and filtering; multimedia searching and indexing; data mining; information access and retrieval; competencies and skills for a digital librarian; and professional…

Discusses the development of networked information services from a user's perspective. Topics discussed include user education; the issue of access to, versus retrieval of, information; the role of the library, including education and training, bibliographic control, and electronic information services; and training and education for librarians.…

Discusses the impact of technology on the profession of librarianship and suggests changes that are necessary for librarians to adapt to their changing role. Topics addressed include focusing on the mission of librarianship, i.e., providing access to information; librarians' sense of self-worth; educational requirements; and technological…

Reports on the 1993 annual conference of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Topics covered include the future of law librarianship, access to government information, copyright, library school closings, the Internet, and the impact of global information needs. (EAM)

Discusses developments in distance education programs and considers roles for school library media specialists in distance education projects. The Star Schools Project is described, access to information and resources in new formats is considered, the Library and Information Science Distance Education consortium is explained, and directions for…

Examines the effect of information technology on library school curriculum, the role of reference librarians in public libraries, reference services, and user access to information. Identifies four limitations that may affect the service given by reference librarians: subject knowledge, language, cultural literacy, and logical inference…

This report summarizes a collection of nine essays addressing the future of libraries that were an outgrowth of a study conducted by the Office of Library Programs to develop a research agenda. The study is described in the first of three sections of this report, and abstracts of the essays are presented in the second section. Areas of concern…

Discusses the need for a National Information Documentation Centre (NIDOC) in Nigeria. Topics addressed include functions of NIDOC, the location of NIDOC, including the role of the National Library; results of user studies; information storage and retrieval; library staff requirements and training; and access to national information sources. (17…

This book is a compilation of 14 articles that present a wide range of perspectives on providing access to vast networks of information resources and enabling students to learn in an information-rich environment. The articles, arranged in four parts--overview of important technologies comprising the virtual library, learning in the electronic…

This collection of nine essays is an outgrowth of a study which was conducted by the Office of Library Programs to identify researchable issues that could help librarians fill a position of leadership in the information society. An introduction to the collection describes the study and includes a list of the 10 major issues identified by…

Compares academic libraries in Japan and Australia in three areas: general background (number of libraries, financial support, size of collections, and student/staff ratios); the role of libraries (services offered, library instruction, accessibility, library cooperation, and expenditures); and library staffs (qualifications of directors, staff…