Considers trends in the information technology field that affect libraries and librarians. Discusses search paradigms, including web search engines, visual displays, multimedia searching, and multilingual searching; expanding online databases; computer technology, including voice recognition; work and learning environments; knowledge management;…

Discusses issues facing libraries in Australia as a result of economic factors, especially inflation. Topics include serials and other cancellations; competition among universities and the need for cooperation among libraries; national cooperative projects, including the National Bibliographic Database and interlibrary loan programs; the need for…

Over the years, the Association for Business Simulation and Experiential Learning (ABSEL) has invested considerable effort in formulating its research mission while reflecting on its unique identity among professional organizations. This article reviews the literature on this topic while identifying key issues and proposals. It then discusses the…

In 2002, the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), Higher Education Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee commissioned the National Library of Australia to analyse the uniqueness and overlap of Australian university library collections, comparing library collections in each state, using the National Bibliographic Database…

"Opposing Viewpoints" and "Opposing Viewpoints Juniors" have long been standard titles in upper elementary, middle level, and high school collections. "Opposing Viewpoints Juniors" should be required as information literacy/critical thinking curriculum tools as early as fifth grade as they use current controversies to teach students how to…

Imagine being able to engage students in learning statistics. Teachers would need their students to have access to a large database of real data, preferably about students. It would be even better if students were part of the database. Ideally, the data would enable students to ask questions of interest to them. For a teacher, it would be…

The moves towards the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) into mainstream settings places particular responsibilities on SEN educators in these schools, who are charged with both meeting such pupils' individual needs and promoting more inclusive contexts. The resultant tensions may be reflected in how SEN educators see their…

Background: Efficient library searches for research evidence are critical to practitioners who wish to engage in evidence-based practice (EBP) as well as researchers who seek to develop systematic reviews. Aims: This review will propose the benefits of the search technique "Pearl Growing" ("Traditional Pearl Growing") as well…

Research reveals that teachers' working conditions are more likely to determine whether they stay at a school--or even in the profession--than are their salaries. Results suggest that policymakers ought to consider selective pay increases, preferably keyed to quality, for work in inner-city schools, together with efforts to improve the working…

Purpose: To outline the conceptual and technical difficulties encountered, as well as the opportunities created, when developing an interlinked collection of web-based digitised primary sources on eighteenth century London. Design/methodology/approach: As a pilot study for a larger project, a variety of primary sources, including the "Old…

Purpose: To share the experiences gained during the migration of library data from one library management system (LibSys[TM]) to another (e-Granthalaya[TM]). Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the step-by-step approach taken to migrate the existing library data to the new software. The paper also discusses the peculiarities of the…

This article describes the development of the "Electronic Journal Finder," a TDNet installation for the University Libraries of Western Michigan University. Topics covered include: rationale for subscription project timeline, content, product customization, set-up, maintenance issues, reporting functions, directing URL links, searching…

We report on the use of email lists as a supplement to teaching. We argue that email lists can provide a valuable students-instructor communication channel and describe the process of setting up and managing such lists. A case study of email messages exchanged in an introductory operations research course is also included. The case illustrates how…

This paper reports on a study which assessed the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in health information access and dissemination in Uganda. The project focused not only on information obtainable through libraries for research, teaching, learning and practice, but also on ICT applications concerned with the…

Many online classes use synchronous communication--chat--as a way to conduct class discussion. However, chat can quickly disintegrate into nonproductive chaos if allowed to flow unchecked. The tools provided by course management systems such as Blackboard provide one solution to this problem by allowing instructors to grant or deny access to…