The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Social Responsibilities Discussion Group was officially established in December 1997 to address the role of libraries in society. The group is initially concentrating on the following themes: equality of access to library collections and facilities; the growing gap…

This paper discusses issues for libraries related to privacy in the digital environment. The first section defines the meaning of privacy. The second section discusses the impact of technology and the use of technology, including principles issued by the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1973 that still provide a basis for…

Notes developments over the past decade in Canadian library standards for public libraries, university and college libraries, school libraries, special libraries, national libraries, cooperation among libraries, and standardization in educational programs for library personnel. Forty-eight references are provided. (EJS)

Reports the preliminary findings of a major study on the attitudes, demography, and aspirations of library and information science students. The discussion includes demographic characteristics and educational backgrounds, reasons for choosing library and information science work, and types of positions perceived as most desirable. (six references)…

Reports on the IFLA Pre-Session Seminar on international issues in school librarianship (Caldes de Montbui, Spain, August 1993). Summarizes papers dealing with the role of school libraries in developing countries; selection and acquisitions; management and financial support; and country reports on the school library situation. Also includes…

This section includes lists of networks, consortia, and other cooperative library organizations; national associations in the United States and Canada; state, provincial, and regional associations and agencies; state school library media associations; state supervisors of school library media services; international library associations; and…

Examines the work of women's voluntary associations in support of public libraries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Activities studied include support of traveling libraries, library legislation, and the founding of local libraries. Cooperation of organized women's groups with the American Library Association and other organizations is…

Describes a summer reading program developed for young adults that features a computerized approach to book selection. Details of the use, rationale, database development, organization and marketing of the program, which was developed by a Michigan library federation, are provided. Sample publicity materials accompany the article. (KRN)

Discusses the current status and proposals for the future development of library education in Sri Lanka. The roles of the Sri Lanka Library Association, Kelaniya University, and the Sri Lanka National Library Services Board are described; and the need for a statement of national policy and objectives for library education is stressed. (eight…

Reports on discussions from the 1991 ALISE (Association for Library and Information Science Education) Annual Conference about modernizing the curricula of doctoral programs; federal funding for doctoral education; evaluating faculty performance; research on a range of topics by ALISE members; the closing of Columbia University's library program;…

Discusses methods of evaluation that can be used to measure public library effectiveness, based on a conference sponsored by the Council on Library Resources. Topics discussed include the Public Library Effectiveness Study (PLES), quantitative and qualitative evaluation, using evaluative information for resource acquisition and resource…

Describes problems facing academic libraries today concerning the amount of literature and information available, costs, copyright issues affecting ownership, and technological changes. Strategies for dealing with diminishing funds and increasing information resources are suggested, and activities at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)…

Summarizes the 1992 Special Libraries Association (SLA) Annual Conference. Topics discussed include emphasizing internationalism; competing in a global economy; the competitive importance of information; downsizing because of financial constraints; Internet and NREN (National Research and Education Network); recruitment; ethics; standards; and the…

Discusses programs and services of the Society of School Librarians International (SSLI) relating to professional growth, communications and public relations, and legislative involvement. Winners of the 1992 SSLI Annual Book Awards are listed, and activities of the Learning through Media Coalition are described. (LRW)

This article describes the current distance education environment for university libraries and the distance education library services for faculty and students. The authors surveyed selected Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members to determine current services and the changes in distance education library services since the 1996 ARL SPEC…