Briefly summarizes topics discussed within the theme of global information access at the annual conference of the Special Libraries Association, including information policy in foreign countries, copyright laws, the impact of library automation on access to information, and findings of a task force on the value of the information professional.…

Presents historical accounts of patenting and past experiments in academic patent management. These cases highlight the motivations, expectations, and results for scientists, their institutions, and the public. (ML)

Addresses issues and assesses developments in research and development collaborative efforts between universities and industry. Provides an historical context and explores current industry-university alliances. (ML)

Analyzes the development of social sciences in Ireland. Pays particular attention to their history, relationship to society, training opportunities, and international cooperation. (JDH)

Data on male and female senior science undergraduates in nine Canadian universities show substantial gender discrepancies in defection rates and career aspirations, father's occupation as a distinguishing background variable between males and females, and greater likelihood of top women achievers defecting from science than average women…

Describes a survey of the 50 top ranked Fortune 500 service organizations that was conducted to determine the prevalence of chief information officers, their reporting relationships, and their reporting responsibilities. Differences between chief information officers and management information systems directors are identified, and suggestions for…

Presents model curriculum for training policy gerontologists based on findings from survey of policy professionals in aging, and experience with demonstration program, which indicated the demand for policy gerontologists, specific skills training requirements, ideal personal attributes, and the importance of knowledge of the content of specific…

Outlines model for ascertaining continuing education needs of regional library and information workers based on practical experience in New South Wales, Australia. Search workshop strategy was used to gather together regional librarians to explore needs, available resources, and conditions to be considered in planning regional continuing education…

The role of librarians is defined by their ability to identify user needs and then use techniques from both library and information science to meet those needs. Positions that utilize these abilities outside of the traditional library should not be considered as alternative careers. (CLB)

Recent Danish government proposals to increase the national and international mobility of scientists are reviewed, including a formalized sabbatical system in the universities, new rules for obtaining leaves of absence with or without salary, and plans for increased mobility between public and private sectors. (MSE)

The delicacy required of ethnographic work is nowhere more evident and more necessary than at the conceptual crossroads where methods and ethical decision making intersect. This paper addresses moments of decision and puts them into perspective by locating them within the lifecycle of ethnographic evaluation. (LMO)

Forecasts of the future of the public library highlight measures of success (quick information provision); service to remote users; an information infrastructure which includes smaller branch libraries; levels of service based on staff time required; fee-based, interactive research services; a new job title of "information specialist"; and book…

Considers five significant roles of the information professional in the information society--information resources management, information counseling, research utilization, social networking, and public information dissemination. The emergence of these roles and current education and training are reviewed with a view to providing observations…

The library's role in modern society is analyzed and implications for library and information science education are stated. Drawing upon recommendations of key professionals, a program is delineated including undergraduate preparation for librarianship and instructional objectives for required professional courses; elective courses are suggested.…

Presents the roles of the federal government, business, professional organizations, state and local governments and the "information entrepreneur" in advancing the state-of-the-art in social service systems applications. Federal government will continue to act as catalyst for systems development but information entrepreneurs and others will play…