Discusses the potential of synchronous communication, in the form of videoconferencing, to support learners in distance education courses. Highlights include examples of videoconferencing in higher education in Northern Ireland; videoconferencing in schools of librarianship in the British Isles; and the potential of videoconferencing in the…

Describes the development of a manual participative game that was designed to demonstrate the functions of a database. Use of the game in a variety of academic contexts is discussed, including technical college students and degree students; and use of the data with software to create a database is described. (LRW)

Reports on indicators of effectiveness of schools of library and information studies derived from surveying and profiling four American Library Association (ALA) constituent groups: ALA's Committee on Accreditation, senior academic administrators, alumni and alumnae, and employers. The methodology and results are discussed, and a table of…

Describes ways that reference librarians can use the skill of active listening to respond to a patron's message that is more emotional than factual. Examples are given from the Brigham Young University (BYU) Library School's interpersonal relations course that compare nonactive listening responses to active listening responses. (two references)…

Includes reprints of four articles originally published in "Library Journal" in the 1940s and 1960s: "The Role of the Professional School in the University" (Ernest Cadman Colwell); "Library Schools Reshaping Courses" (Lewis F. Stieg); "The New Training Pattern Looks Good" (Harold Lancour); and "The…

Presents a brief history of information technology-related training for library school students in Indonesia, including the most recent developments in library and information science curriculum with special reference to the University of Indonesia. Explains the higher education system and discusses graduate and undergraduate curriculum…

Introduces some of the considerations behind the teaching of research methodology at the Royal School of Library and Information Science (Denmark) at the masters level. Discusses information retrieval experiments; sampling problems; the concept of a model; and statistical analysis and its role in information retrieval experiments. (Contains 25…

Discusses the concept of knowledge management and the initiatives and processes to consider for the implementation of a knowledge management program. Highlights include issues for library schools; the roles of information professionals, domain experts, and information technology experts; and the need for an integrated approach to meet…

Reports the results of the 1999 survey of library schools that investigated salaries and job placement. Highlights include status of graduates; average starting salaries; discrepancies between salaries of men and women; and views of graduates regarding the placement process and their library school preparation. (LRW)

Discusses differences between e-mail reference interviews and those conducted using other media; presents a taxonomy of approaches to e-mail interviews; and introduces a model e-mail interview, based on a project at the University of Maryland's College of Library and Information Services. (Author/LRW)

Summarizes results of a survey of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) webmasters that investigated aspects of their roles and job tasks. Discusses their education; job responsibilities; job satisfactions and dissatisfactions; and their opinions about Web committees and the role of librarians in Web site development. Offers suggestions for…

Discusses the state of library education in Australia and refutes a previous article that suggested a loss of quality. Topics include faculty staffing questions; information science education versus library education; theoretical versus practical knowledge; and offering opportunities for fieldwork. (LRW)

Discusses the need for changes in library and information science degree programs to keep up with new technologies and areas of specialization. Describes master's of business administration degrees which often offer specialization in areas such as electronic commerce to keep up with the changing job market. (LRW)

Describes the results of a survey of graduates of the Department of Library and Information Studies, University of Botswana that was conducted to determine their characteristics, the relevance of their training to their present jobs, and their perceptions of the curriculum. A copy of the questionnaire used is appended. (Author/LRW)

On May 9, 2003 Christine Borne launched the electronic discussion group NEXGENLIB-L. Her aim was to involve colleagues around her age professionally, a group usually unheard in the professional literature and discussions. The list quickly burned up with complaints about library school and work places, frustration about poor pay and student loans,…