This book contains presentations from the 17th annual Computers in Libraries Conference. Topics covered include: chatting with a librarian; verbots for library Web sites; collaborative IT (Information Technology) planning at Montgomery County Public Library (Maryland); designing a local government taxonomy; Weblogs; new roles for librarians in…

This paper discusses ways in which the Queensland University of Technology (Australia) has freed up resources, particularly staffing resources, in order to focus attention on activities that add value to the academic process. Vendor partnership with Blackwell's Library Supply company for selection, acquisition, cataloging, and end processing of…

This paper discusses GAELIC (Gauteng and Environs Library Consortium), a regional consortium of South African higher education libraries with the vision of creating a virtual library by linking together autonomous libraries via networks. Topics covered include: (1) GAELIC objectives; (2) selection of INNOPAC as the common library system for GAELIC…

Describes the history, management, staffing, facilities, services, and automation of the libraries in the six universities and one university college in New Zealand, and summarizes the history and current state of libraries in teachers' colleges, technical institutes, and community colleges. Article includes photographs of some of the libraries.…

This study of state university libraries in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates provides information on library organization and analysis of collections, services, staffing, budgeting, expenditures, automation, and information technology. Suggests further research is needed in collections, services and…

Discusses changes that have taken place within library systems as a consequence of the emergence of new computer-based technologies. Highlights include using electronic documents; electronic libraries; digital projects; educational applications; and a case study of OASIS (Open Access Student Information Service), a document handling system in the…

Discusses results of a survey conducted by "Library Journal" to ascertain to what degree librarians' jobs were evolving and why. Highlights include the major influence of technology; experiences of a reference librarian at the University of California at Berkeley; and professional and support staff perspectives at academic, public, and…

Discussion of Internet software and its use in libraries focuses on a software evaluation program at the undergraduate library at Southern Illinois University. Highlights include staff training for information technology, availability and selection of shareware and freeware, and an evaluation form for Internet software. (LRW)

Identifies major problems that affect reader's services departments in Nigerian university libraries. Highlights include the functions of the reader's services department, including circulation, collection management, user education, and interlibrary loan; student population explosion; funding shortages; staffing shortages; and suggested…

In forming local or regional consortia, campus libraries will face not only some compromises with respect to campus policies but also a multitude of decisions relating to broader consortium issues. The Oakland Library Consortium in Pittsburgh is discussed. (MLW)

The lead article in this section argues that the profession's current focus on technology has compromised academic librarianship's scholarly values, eroded the quality of rhetoric between librarians and patrons, and contributed to the ascendancy of information over knowledge. Renewal of the teaching function and reaffirmation of traditional values…

A 1991 survey asked how the position of systems librarian has changed. Data from three categories of academic and research libraries was analyzed by size of library, and changes involving increasing implementation of electronic media were identified. It was found that the role of systems librarian is difficult to define while technology changes…

Presents aspects of Pullen Library's move from manual to automated management of cataloging statistics, and offers advice to libraries in similar situations. The difficulties included staff resistance, finding the right software package, and spreadsheet training; and the advantage was that the Quattro Pro program reduces complicated spreadsheets…

Describes a library instruction program developed at the library of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for graduate assistants, consisting of handouts and training modules; the program was later expanded to include undergraduates and faculty. Highlights include goals and objectives of user education; the use of CD-ROMs; search strategies; and…

Discusses document delivery services in the light of new technology. Topics addressed include the historical influences of the printing press; the influence of microcomputers on the publishing industry; copyright issues; the changing role of publishers, researchers, and academic librarians; information partnerships among publishers, librarians,…