This theme issue includes eight articles that discuss the information age, the impact of information technology, and the role of libraries. Highlights include libraries in Brazil, Indonesia, and Nigeria; the Universal Availability of Publications (UAP) program; community literacy; database development in Malawi; and the Regional Energy Resources…

Summarizes and analyzes literature from the 1980s and 1990s that addressed library issues in Botswana. Focuses on literature that discussed the role of the library education program at the University of Botswana, and the use of African versus Western models in developing libraries and information centers to meet patron information needs. (JMV)

This paper provides an overview of Palestinian libraries. The following topics are addressed: historical and political background on Palestine; the Ansari Public Library in East Jerusalem; the Khalidi Family Library in the Old City of Jerusalem; mosque libraries; the Nablus Public Library; the Palestinian Library and Information Association; other…

This study examines the meaning of the concept of "principal support" from the point of view of seven teacher-librarians in two Alberta (Canada) school districts. It also explores the different ways in which these teacher-librarians went about increasing principal support for the school library program and for their role as…

This volume covers the history of library development, library education, and national planning for library coverage in New Zealand, as well as Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Setting the New Zealand Scene"; (2) "The New Zealand Library Association Certificate Course"; (3)…

The three papers in this document examine the motives behind the collecting and loaning of publications in the 19th century. They describe the effects of three discrete movements designed to assist religious, military, and academic endeavors. The first paper, "Bread Upon the Waters: The Printed Word in Sunday Schools in 19th Century England…

Four papers on meeting the professional information needs of teacher librarians focus on the responsibility of professional teacher librarian associations include: "The Responsibility of Professional TL Associations" (Norma Jeffrey); "Meeting the Professional Information Needs of TLs: The Responsibility of Professional Teacher…

This paper suggests that by 2004, the traditional public libraries will have ceased to exist and new, attractive future libraries will have taken their place. The Libraries 2040 project of the Netherlands is initiating seven different libraries of the future. The Brabant library is the "ultimate library of the future" for the Dutch…

The paper outlines a number of processes that have been implemented by Learning Services at Deakin University (Geelong, Australia) to gain significant and sustained cultural change among staff in a blended organization, comprising the university library service, the curriculum design and development functions and those of academic staff…

The issue of the permanent absence of some countries and/or libraries in the Preservation and Conservation sessions at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has been raised in years past. Within Europe, contributions from South Europe have been scarce. This paper discusses responses to a survey of national…

The number of elderly people in Denmark continues to grow, which means there is an increasing need for special library services to those elderly who are not able to come to the library because of physical or mental limitations. This paper uses the practices of Sollerod Public Libraries (Sollerod, Denmark) to frame the discussion of the following:…

This paper focuses on issues related to library personnel in the British academic library. A background discussion on staff salaries, decreases in funding and increases in availability of information in more electronic formats, and the print culture and the electronic library leads to a statement of the need for increased information technology…

With encouragement from IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) and support from the government, over 150 mobile libraries have been established in Vietnam and have been in active operation for the last 10 years. Various models of mobile libraries suited to different areas have been identified, such as…

This paper describes the development of the Penang Public Library (Malaysia) Children's Library. The first section discusses the role of the community. The second section provides background, including library objectives drawn from the key missions in the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto. The third section addresses creative strategies for…

Oral histories of retired Australian librarians show the sexual division of libraries from pre-1950s to the 1980s. Discussion includes the appeal of on-the-job training; public and private roles of women; the marriage bar; discrimination; lack of skill recognition; wage inequities; feminist resistance; sexual harassment; unions; and electronic…