This article explores recent developments in national policy for academic libraries. It considers the shift from traditional to managerial academic librarianship; the move to "social space" and multi-use systems; changes in the balance between meeting teaching and research needs and in public funding priorities; the difficulty of making…

This paper outlines the challenges and opportunities for the services of the Japanese National Diet Library (NDL), especially the Research and Legislative Reference Bureau by using a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. The introduction lists the major goals of the NDL's reform. The second section discusses the NDL's…

Library book vendors are facing new realities in the 21st century. Changes in continuations, firm order placement, value-added services, approval plans, retrospective collection development, and database creation and maintenance are being effected in an effort to keep current customers and attract new ones. Those changes and the subsequent shift…

This paper discusses library development in the changing environment arising within the forthcoming Information/Knowledge Society. The role of the library as a social institution is examined in the context of the evolution of the whole literary and knowledge system. Ideas about conceptual changes to be introduced by the library in order to respond…

Discusses four competing public images of the public library and its relation to information technology, as identified in recent research: the traditional library, the resisting library, the adapting library, and the co-opted library. Suggests that the public perceives the management of public information as a complex problem requiring a variety…

Discusses the trade union library system in China that has fallen on hard times amid economic and social changes of the past 20 years. Focuses on a history of the trade union library movement; services provided by trade union libraries; problems faced by union libraries; and reform of trade union libraries. (AEF)

The objectives of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) are to: promote and improve services of libraries and other information agencies; improve the standard of library and information personnel and foster their professional interests and aspirations; represent the interests of members to governments, other organizations and…

Occasional Papers deal with varied aspects of librarianship and consist of papers that generally are too long or too detailed for publication in a periodical, or are of specialized or contemporary interest. This latest volume in the Occasional Paper series reviews the changing and cumulative institutional functions of libraries in Western…

Globalization provides the contextual framework for cultural changes in the library user group. In order to be more effective, and realistically, more client-focused, the reference librarian is challenged to ask again "Who is my client?" in this changing context. This paper presents a positive and practical response to cultural change…

Describes the emergence of communities of digital library (DL)research and practice, explores directions of digital libraries arising from these communities and speculates on future directions which point toward the need for extensive research in digital libraries and for the transformation of libraries as institutions. (AEF)

There is an electronic revolution in the library which may prove to be a revolution in the humanities and in the nature of learning and education. The humanities are an essentially human enterprise of which the record reposes in books in libraries. The central role of libraries in preserving these ideas must survive the electronic revolution.…

Examines whether the established and traditional norms and standards of public librarianship structure the way challenges such as market orientation and privatization are met and coped with, or whether these standards are losing their structuring power. Compares three metropolitan library systems representing three different levels of…

This step-by-step guide gives librarians the information to develop successful, collaborative ventures with other organizations in an effort to provide comprehensive and integrated services for children and families. Each chapter outlines steps to take in the creation of a family-centered library environment. The topics discussed are: serving…

Highlights events of the 1997 conferences sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association Support Staff Section. Discusses keynote presentations on attitudes of library personnel and the importance of working with change and presentations on the areas of diversity, communication, the Internet, and humor. (AEF)

Reflects on issues raised at the Library of Congress Institute on "Reference Service in a Digital Age." Discusses technology-oriented changes at the Library of Congress; the changing reference service model; collaborative partnerships; staff training; and the role of the reference librarian in the digital environment. (AEF)