The author is a reference and instruction librarian at Iowa State University with collection development and liaison responsibilities for chemistry, biochemistry, entomology, and natural resource ecology. She recently came to librarianship with an education and three years' experience in biochemistry and biotechnology. During the last four years…

There's a lot of focus on the "Next Gen" librarians out there bringing a youth perspective that's supposed to shake things up and introducing new ideas and practices into a profession that sometimes moves forward at a glacial pace. But the ideas of the new generation do not invalidate the work done by those who came before. In fact, change in…

Considers some important questions surrounding the deaccessioning of books and other materials from library collections: Should deaccessioned items be sold? How should materials for deaccessioning be selected? What are the channels for the sale of deaccessioned library materials? (JL)

The question "What is the role for research in library and information science?" lies at the heart of an ongoing project sponsored by the Office of Library Programs in the U.S. Department of Education. The project, which was begun in 1986-87, is designed to identify researchable issues that could help libraries attain or maintain a leadership…

These proceedings of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) meeting on the education of research library personnel contain the following papers: The Conant Report and Its Implications for Academic and Research Libraries, by Ralph W. Conant; Library Education--State-of-the-Art, by Robert O. Stueart; Professional Education and Training--A New…

Reading is the key for reference librarians to increase general and subject knowledge for continuing professional growth. Continuing education has been limited in practice and thinking to the technical aspects of the profession. (RAA)

Discusses the role of librarians in university and research libraries, noting basic personal qualifications (problem-solving and managerial abilities, undergraduate preparation), and basic assumptions that must underlie planning for library education programs to produce professionals prepared to cope with the real world. (EJS)

The continuing education of library staff is the focus of this collection of papers and journal articles presented at or related to seminars sponsored by the New York Metropolitan Reference and Research Library Agency (METRO). It includes "LEX: Law Advice for Public and Academic Librarians," by Alice Norton; the Library Journal/School Library…

The role of the research library and issues in access to increasing quantities of information are discussed, including the problems of cataloging and classifying information and the barriers to access often created by librarians. (MSE)

Addresses problem of vertical stratification (belief that career path must be pursued in one type of library) in academic research librarianship. Highlights include job opportunities; misconceptions concerning inappropriate specialization and nature of academic research library management; consequences of institutional, individual, and…

Discusses the changes in the social and economic environment that have pushed libraries into retreating from their traditional objective of preserving the cultural record, and suggests that the solution to this problem must be sought by means of national-level resource and cost-sharing programs. A 21-item reference list is included. (Author/JL)

This conference brought together Canadian library school deans and directors of Canadian academic and research libraries to discuss the education of librarians. Following introductory remarks by Anne Woodsworth, papers presented include: (1) "Curricular Needs," in which Margot B. McBurney summarizes survey results and recent activities…

This SPEC kit presents the results of a survey which determined employment practices of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries in 1990 in the areas of cultural diversity, minority recruitment, and affirmative action. Categories surveyed in the area of minority recruitment include hiring activities, advertising available…

This examination of the past and present states of collection development in the research library covers background information, theories, and associated problems. A historical review of methods that have been and are currently being used for collection development includes discussions of the changes imposed by World War II on the practice of…

Looks at a seminal article by Arthur McAnally and Robert Downs on the changing role of the university library director to determine whether the changes they outlined in 1973 are still valid. Additional sources of strife for university library directors are described, and requirements for today's library directors are discussed. (Contains five…