This paper discusses the legal obligations owed by librarians to the users of their facilities, focusing on the viewing of pornography on the Internet in the public library. The meanings commonly ascribed to the word censorship are presented. Australian federal law that governs the classification of films, videos, computer games, and publications…

This document contains two papers that discuss information provision to customers at the University of Melbourne (Australia) library in light of the merger of the library with information technology (IT) and multimedia education. The first paper addresses the following issues involved in providing this service: content--collection and access…

School libraries are changing due to developments in information technology, teaching and learning methods, and society. A meeting of 28 experts from 16 countries was convened to better understand current trends in tertiary libraries and the effect of these trends on the demand, organization, and design of libraries. Participants agreed that the…

This paper discusses the disadvantaged state of women in South Africa, including statistics that illustrate effects of their lack of status on their health and well being. It then focuses on the role in South Africa of the community library and information services in empowering especially women. Barriers experienced in information delivery to…

This proceedings of the 1999 IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) annual conference contains: information on the current, future, and past conferences; a message from H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the patron of the Thai Library Association; a conference program; an alphabetical list of authors; and 112…

This paper discusses information gateways and equal access to information. Highlights include: the development of the physical infrastructure of libraries; globalization as it relates to the use of software; Internet controls such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act; the psycho-social component of libraries; computer literacy and…

This paper looks at the skills and competency base of the school librarian. The paper contends that these attributes are necessary if the school library is to be in a position to encourage the development of discovery and personal growth for both pupils and staff. The paper concentrates on the role of the school librarian working with teaching…

This paper describes the increasingly dynamic involvement of information professionals in the learning and teaching process in higher education. The converged service model at the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom) is described. Established in 1995, the converged service brought the university library, computing service, television service,…

This paper discusses the importance of information literacy as a key educational issue and the integral educational role of librarians and libraries. Four discursive fields concerned with the information and communication technologies and education are described: (1) Boosters (or Technolusts)--the "noisiest" group, unequivocal promoters…

This Delphi study examined what the role of an academic library will be and what skills an academic librarian will need in the year 2005. The study involved two rounds of questions and was conducted between December 1998 and April 1999. Responses were received from 23 experts in 10 countries. In the first round of the study, the experts were asked…

The Technical Chamber (TEE) is the professional organization of Greek engineers as well as the consultant of the Government to technical issues. Besides central services in Athens, TEE has 15 regional sections and most of them have small libraries to serve the local engineering community. All libraries are connected online to TEE network and use…

This paper describes the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Library's strategic plan to develop its services amid an atmosphere of change. A summary of the following components of the strategic plan is given: vision; mission; values; and goals. The revised organizational functions are then illustrated, as well as the role of the selector-liaison…

This document defines information literacy (i.e., the ability to access, evaluate, organize, and use information from a variety of sources) and outlines reasons to be concerned about information literacy. It then summarizes the implications of information literacy for teaching, learning, schools, libraries and librarians, the workplace, and…

This paper begins with an investigation of the development of information literacy in the United States, including a definition of the concept and discussion of specific competencies entailed in the creation of the information literacy as promulgated by libraries and librarians. Recommendations of the American Library Association are summarized.…

In the 1970s, German academic libraries discovered user education as a new area of responsibilities, although promising activities at the end of the decade were not continued because of the lack of staff and organizational conditions. Since the beginning of the 1990s, activities in that field have been renewed, especially by large academic…