Reviews the role of resource centers and their forums in South Africa and examines their influence on the shifting models in library and information work leading up to the 1994 general election. Highlights include historical background; government attitudes; traditional library services; funding; influence of the World Bank; rural area service;…

Discusses the history of Indian libraries established on small Southern California reservations. Relates both challenges and opportunities facing tribal populations and governments (as well as the San Diego County Library System) as they developed collaborative library relationships with the American macro- culture and established their place as…

Five articles describe the involvement of the Government Printing Office (GPO) and four depository libraries in the initial GPO Access Gateway Library Program. Technical issues and innovations are discussed, and the challenges of building such a program are outlined. (AEF)

Proposes steps to help libraries improve services for a growing older adult population. Suggested actions include talking with gerontological professionals, implementing an agenda to address issues affecting older adult information needs, and promoting greater interagency cooperation among individuals and groups who work with the aging. (JMV)

Offers a new approach to evaluating reference librarians, as well as a new standard of evaluation based on a study of exemplary reference librarians that was conducted via electronic networks. Characteristics of exemplary reference librarians relating to attitude, professional skills, and interpersonal skills are described. (Contains 28…

Provides an overview of the current state of networking technology in rural libraries and describes a model for educating rural librarians in accessing electronic networks. Topics discussed include information needs in rural libraries; telecommunications technology access in rural areas; and examples of services to enhance information access.…

Describes a project at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore that enables at-risk children to develop Internet skills. Discusses the recruitment and training of volunteer tutors, promotion of the project, and peer recruitment. A sidebar provides a list of Internet sites used in the lessons. (AEF)

Describes the development of the French Minitel videotex system and reports results of a survey of Internet users regarding the use of Minitel. Telecommunications and government involvement are discussed; business, political, cultural, and sociological perspectives are considered; Minitel use in libraries is reviewed; and expansion in the United…

Outlines the Whole Service approach to developing a plan to meet young adult needs in libraries. Balancing service with increasingly restricted staff and funds is considered; a worksheet that addresses needs (recreation, school/homework support, personal information) and resources (physical space, staff, collection, special activities) is…

Addresses the role of professional associations in the process of organizational change in academic libraries. Topics discussed include user-centered organizations and associations; the literature on organizational change; the roles of associations; associations as change agents; and how associations can assist in the transition to user-centered…

Discussion of adult literacy and the role of public libraries focuses on the development of Adult Learning Centers based on experiences at the Hempstead Public Library (New York). The use of self-guided computer-assisted instruction is explained, and benefits are described. (LRW)

Describes a study which linked the misconduct of proposing, performing, and reporting academic research to librarians' perceptions of service quality; explores implications of fraud for library collections and information services; and discusses factors meriting further research. Tables present examples of sources in which those implicated in…

In 1993, the Phoenix Public Library's Special Needs Center conducted a needs assessment by surveying current and past library users and staff to determine what improvements in services were needed for patrons having all types of disabilities. The needs assessment process, general findings, and rewards of engaging in this project are described.…

Examines and compares the costs and response times of traditional interlibrary loan services and four commercial document delivery suppliers based on a study conducted by Vassar College libraries through the OCLC Interlibrary Loan subsystem. Results are reported that indicate commercial services were usually no more efficient but were more…

Describes an approach to electronic document delivery which has evolved at Tilburg University (Netherlands), leading to the development of a system called Ariadne. Highlights include various generations of electronic document delivery systems; standards, including the work of the Group on Electronic Document Interchange; and a description of the…