Explains the need for family literacy programs in Illinois and describes efforts to improve adult and child literacy. Topics discussed include poverty; reading, writing, and computing instruction; interaction between parents and children; families and books; partnerships between state agencies, private organizations, and public libraries; and…

Describes a survey of knowledge and skills in the health information sciences conducted by the Medical Library Association (MLA) and relates the results to the MLA's educational policy statement. Credentialing for the Academy of Health Information Professionals is described, and ways to acquire medical knowledge and skills are discussed. (Contains…

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…

Social and economic issues affecting the vitality of public libraries in California are discussed. A 1993 study by the California State Library identified diminishing reference skills and reference collections, reduced funding which impacted staffing, increased demand, technology change, and language/culture issues as contributing factors to…

The role of the teacher-librarian and the school library at black secondary schools in South Africa is investigated, with a focus on the Cape Peninsula, in the context of political, social and economic change. Recommendations are made, and it is concluded that funds are needed for additional librarians, libraries, collections, and training.…

Considers the role of librarians in the networked information age. Topics include contributions of librarians to information technology, including bibliographic utilities, online database searching services, and public access to electronic information; future challenges, including controlling costs; considering community objectives; and the…

Presents a case study of the Entrepreneurial Development and Assistance Program (EDAP) at the University of Pittsburgh (Johnstown, PA). Discusses the role of librarians and libraries; objectives of the workshop series; industry, client, and competitor information; and the development and conceptual framework of EDAP. (AEF)

Provides a case study that investigated how a part-time elementary school teacher-librarian was working toward fulfilling the goals of AASL's "Information Power." Highlights include the roles of the teacher-librarian: teacher, information specialist, and information consultant; and integrating information skills into a literature-based…

Discusses library resource sharing. Highlights include access to information, document delivery, interlibrary loan, and the social, economic, and technological complexities of new mechanisms; and traditional roles of libraries that provide both opportunities for cooperation and paradoxes for the continuation of selection, archiving, and…

Reviews the role of public libraries in adult literacy and lifelong learning in the 25 years since the signing of the Adult Education Act. Discusses collaborative projects with other government agencies, and the public library's unique role of welcoming patrons whatever their educational needs might be. (43 references/notes) (EA)

Discusses the need to incorporate information skills across the curriculum. Problems facing school libraries are examined; strategies to promote information skills across the curriculum are suggested; the use of information technology is considered; examples of current practice in the United Kingdom are described; and implications for librarians…

Response to issues discussed in Ann Irving's article in this yearbook focuses on the changing role of school librarians. Highlights include the impact of information technology on library services; the development of school libraries in the United Kingdom versus the United States; instruction in information skills; and equal access to information.…

Examines the adaptation of a set of library performance measures derived from a UNESCO manual to Swedish libraries. The basic principles of the measurement process and general library objectives are identified, and the difficulties encountered during the study are explained. The Swedish results are compared to the ideal measures presented in the…

Explores the roles of information brokers and information consultants. Topics discussed include reasons for the emergence of information brokers, including technological, sociological, economic, and political factors; legal and ethical considerations; implications for libraries; access to information; future prospects; and the information industry…

Examines three topics related to electronic publishing and distribution: the national context, including NREN (National Education and Research Network); issues of market readiness, funding, delivery standards, access software, intellectual property concerns, and pricing and licensing models that must be resolved; and descriptions of seven services…