Based on the authors' experiences as catalog, reference, and network resources librarians, this paper examines traditional methods of operation and the emerging blending of duties and the effects on individuals and the profession. Examines changing demands on library users as a cause for the blurring lines. Concludes that catalogers and reference…

Responsibilities and relationships of professional and paraprofessional library staff are changing as a consequence of societal, educational, and technological forces. These changes are having lasting impact on organizational structure, particularly in the face of increasing service expectations and higher costs. This article contains suggestions…

Discusses the future outlook for reference librarians, with topics including: "Technology as the Source of Change"; "Impact of the Internet"; "Defining the Virtual Library"; "Rethinking Reference"; "Out of the Library and into the Streets"; "Asking Users About Their Needs"; "Standardization and Artificial Intelligence"; "The Financial Future"; and…

Offers predictions for the future regarding the impact of the digital age on library collections and cooperation. Highlights include distance education and online resources; scholarly communication; MARC format; technical services; preservation; library buildings; consortia; library services and the Internet; commercial sector; public policy…

It is important that librarians research and plan to make the relationship between library collections and remote access comfortable and successful for users and the library. This article discusses the political, social, and economic advantages and disadvantages of remote access. (JMV)