Discusses the changing role of health sciences librarians in academic medical centers, based on experiences at the Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) medical library. Highlights include library services to meet the information needs of users; management perceptions of libraries; and competitive strategies for libraries, including integration into…

Three overlapping models of new technology diffusion are described in relation to the Internet: (1) individual threshold; (2) critical mass; and (3) strength of weak ties. The prospective role of academic libraries in the electronic development of the scholarly communication system is discussed, and further research is suggested. (55 references)…

Discusses problems in academic research and their effects on libraries. Topics discussed include the trend toward rapid publication in the scientific fields; competition for academic research and development funding; the relationship between federal funding and publications; the role of libraries in the research process; and the role of vendors.…

Compares the impact of manual and online search methods on the interdisciplinary search task in terms of relevance of retrieved items, user effort, user satisfaction, user confidence, and future use. The study, using the Kuhlthau model, focused on journalism classes researching judicial decisions relating to mass media. (31 references) (Author/KRN)

Discusses the role of professional associations in theological librarianship in accreditation, advocacy, and education. The need for the profession to expand its impact on theological research and teaching, the need for preservation of library materials, the impact of new technology on library budgets and practices, and the myth of free…

Discusses changes that are occurring in academic libraries as they try to keep up with the growth in sources of information. Topics discussed include acquisitions; interlibrary loan; new technologies in libraries; library expenditures; library staff; collection development; and the need to redefine the library's role to that of an information…

Six papers from a seminar on special collections in research libraries address special collections and the scholarly community; the function of special collections in research and education; services and development issues; the evolving character of special collections; special collections in emerging information delivery programs; and the…

Addresses the importance of links between school and academic libraries through articulation programs; explains how articulation can be initiated through precollege outreach programs; discusses advantages for academic libraries, including improved university-community relationships and outreach to diverse students; and describes the outreach…

Describes a course-integrated approach to library instruction for chemical information at the University of Florida that uses a Web page of library resources with links to library instruction modules and assignments. Implications for library staff, library resources, and the role of the library are discussed. (LRW)

Presents an interview with two librarians who are participating in joint-use projects, one between a public library and a school library, and one between a public library and an academic library. Personnel, commingling collections, changing library roles, and governance boards are considered. (LRW)

Describes the Center for the Electronic Texts in the Humanities (CETH), a joint project of Princeton University and Rutgers University (New Jersey) to provide a national focus for humanities computing. Examines the evolution of CETH as its role has changed with the growth of the humanities computing community and the impact of the digital…

Discussion of Web-based learning environments and asynchronous learning networks for on-campus and distance education focuses on the role of academic libraries. Topics include library involvement in courseware development decisions, integration with library systems, and librarian attitudes and observations compared to those of faculty. (Contains…

Discussion of measuring and improving the quality of library public services focuses on a method for quantifying and categorizing patrons' comments from a questionnaire developed at the College of Charleston (South Carolina) library. Topics include Total Quality Management, measures of user perceptions, and defining the service role of libraries.…

Considers the role of academic librarians in shaping the future of scholarly communication. Highlights include rising costs of serials; the role of faculty, specifically in scientific fields; projects involving digital access to scholarly journals; and the library as publisher, based on experiences at the University of Arizona. (LRW)

Discusses the role of librarians in not only providing but also creating resources to fit users' information needs and describes the development of a Web-based statistical abstract called "Colorado by the Numbers" that was developed at the University of Colorado at Boulder library to provide state socioeconomic data. (LRW)