Refutes the claim that top-rated programs in library science tend to maintain and enhance their reputation by hiring their own and each other's graduates and that this pattern of inbreeding was likely to be harmful to the field. Concludes convincing evidence was not provided and the true situation may be other than claimed. (PEN)

The dilemma is one that most public librarians know well. The interlibrary loan (ILL) service over the past seven years had increased by almost 72 percent--with no end to the upward spiral in sight. Borrowing had increased 23 percent, but lending to other libraries had seen the largest growth: 106 percent. ILL staffing hadn't increased and…

Designed to assist the librarian and/or teacher by serving as a checklist for a basic collection of reference materials, this annotated bibliography presents a list of reference sources that are appropriate for Alabama students in grades 7 through 12. The reference materials are intended to support the curriculum of a comprehensive public…

For the purpose of this bibliography, international librarianship focuses on the role of information in society, and the methods of its acquisition, processing, retrieval, and dissemination across national boundaries by means of international library cooperation through the formulation and development of common standards, policies, and practices.…

Explores the social impacts of technological change on the library and the library profession as social institutions, the library as an organization, and librarians as professionals. The effects of automation on the library's role in providing public access to information, library management, professional status, and the work environment are also…

This essay on the future of reference librarianship addresses elements necessary to guarantee continued vitality of the profession. Discussion covers person-to-person contacts with library users, recreational functions of library, fees and "information stamps," organizational structure of library, information consulting, project-team…

POPLINE, a cooperatively produced bibliographic retrieval system offered through MEDLARS, is a comprehensive collection of the worldwide literature on population and family planning. A comparison of several medical and social science databases with POPLINE indicates that POPLINE offers the greatest depth and breadth of subject coverage in this…

Discusses the problem of serious dangers in current and backlist chemistry experiment books. Discarding of older books and careful evaluation of the dangers inherent in newer books are recommended. Safe alternatives are suggested, including some criteria for evaluating dangers, and a safer approach used by a current author. (EM)

Discusses lives and careers of two important behavioral scientists; the processing, arranging, and describing of papers recently processed in Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library; research value of the two collections; and access and importance of finding aids to researchers and the institution that produces them. Seventeen footnotes…

On the eve of a major change in communications media (from printing to widespread electronic publishing), this article reexamines and projects into future the library's fundamental role as a social institution. Discussion covers three environmental trends, library as an institution, and public policy and economic choices. Twenty references are…

The University of Florida Libraries took the opportunity of remodeling its Humanities and Social Sciences library to conceptualize the design of an info commons area for the new building. An Info Commons Concept Team was formed and charged with this task. The team used site visits, surveys, focus groups, and interviews to determine the needs of…

This College Library Information Packet (CLIP) Notes provides information on displays and exhibits in small college and university libraries. Displays and exhibits have long been an accepted yet under-documented are of library work. This survey presents a collection of data and supporting documents about current display and exhibit practices in…

This annotated bibliography describes more than 60 children's computer books recommended for inclusion in an average size children's library collection. These books were published between 1983 and 1985, and each was chosen by a committee of children's librarians. The list is arranged in three sections: (1) Computer Literacy; (2) How to Program;…

Designed to help librarians plan a summer reading program around the theme of bears called "have a bearable summer," this activity guide presents many activities and organizational suggestions. The first section of the guide deals with publicity and public relations, while the second section covers story time activities. The third…

Because studies have found that children can lose a year in their reading skills and motivation during summers, this planning guide suggests ways for librarians to interest children in a summer reading program by appealing to their fascination with bears and teddy bears. The guide is organized chronologically, beginning with a timetable, followed…