The first of two articles provides an introduction to this issue. The second article discusses the key issues in rare book librarianship over the past 50 years, including acquisition, care, handling, storage, preservation, cataloging, classifying, processing, circulation, security, and training. Both references and a 77-item bibliography are…

A survey among accredited library schools was undertaken and completed in 1971 in order to obtain a detailed, precise report on what response library education has made to the vital problem of serving the disadvantaged. (13 references) (Author/NH)

The National Advisory Commission on Libraries (NACOL) report emphasized that the librarian of today and tomorrow must have many technical and professional skills, but above all he must have skill with people," a trait which has heightened the significance of library services to the disadvantaged. (9 references) (Author/NH)

Discusses the treatment of ethnicity in the social sciences, the impact of ethnicity on interpersonal and interethnic relations, and the development of library programs and services with an ethnic content. Thirty-five references are cited. (FM)

Celebrates the achievements of African-American librarians and their contributions to librarianship. Identifies and reviews records of scholarship that can serve as starting points for students and scholars. Chronicles achievements of numerous individuals and provides additional resources for further investigation. Suggests areas of further…

Describes the societal and professional, as well as the personal, contexts which motivated the creation of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and its predecessor, the Asian American Librarians Caucus/Association (AALC/A). Includes profiles of the Asian/Pacific American library leaders who established these organizations and…

Reviews the brief history of Chinese Americans in the United States and their contributions to librarianship. Describes the origin, purpose, programs, and activities of the Chinese American Librarians Association. (Contains 44 references.) (AEF)

This review of major applications of economic theory and research methods to libraries provides overviews of economics of information and of library services, research related to supply of library services, research into demand for library services, finances and fees, and the library labor market. A 78-item bibliography is provided. (EJS)

Examines what differences libraries and librarians make, primarily from the perspective of geographical communities. States reasons why this is an essential research issue and describes contributions of current public library planning tools to the determination of impact. Examines the framework that is essential for the intellectual development of…

Explores three contexts of librarians' professional work and their impact on the link between librarians and their work: social and cultural forces, other competing occupations, and competing organizations and commodities. Concludes that the central challenge to the profession lies in embracing various information technologies and the groups that…

Examines historical reasons for the reference desk and workers to establish how reference work has been circumscribed, describes how it has evolved, and attempts to define perimeters between tasks and duties of paraprofessionals and professionals. Highlights the Williamson Report (1923) on training for library services and considers how practices…

Assesses the history and development of library services to Latinos. Discusses the history, role, and impact of key professional associations. Identifies, analyzes, and discusses the relevance of major studies, reports, and other publications, calling attention to the paucity that prevails in professional literature addressing this population.…

Offers definitions for four general categories of research--practical, bibliographical, scholarly, scientific--and discusses connections of research to librarianship, the introduction of scientific research methodology in librarianship, activities related to scientific research, users of research, faculty status, professional organizations and…

Three fundamental problems underlie most research in health sciences librarianship: determining what therapies are effective and of good quality, delivering information when and where it is needed, and in forms that will increase its use. Developments in health information research will be advanced through collaboration across disciplines and…

Describes the development, operation, and services of a special unit at the Chicago Public Library that provides reference and research services to professional librarians. Specific reference materials, online databases, and current awareness services are covered. The selection and acquisition of library materials is discussed in some detail. (21…