Presents thought from school library media specialists regarding collection development. Topics include first-year experiences; the importance of cataloging; selection criteria; selection sources; and weeding. (LRW)

Reports results of a 1987 survey designed to determine the educational preparedness and attitudes of academic librarians who participate in bibliographic instruction. Findings are discussed under the following headings: demographics; educational preparation; previous teaching experience; gaining and retaining support for the program; position…

Describes results of a survey of librarians conducted using the Internet, regarding their attitudes toward electronic mail and networking. Topics addressed include software; the effect on job descriptions; privacy issues; use in academic libraries; navigation problems; discussion groups; and perceived value. A sidebar discusses network etiquette.…

Offers a new approach to evaluating reference librarians, as well as a new standard of evaluation based on a study of exemplary reference librarians that was conducted via electronic networks. Characteristics of exemplary reference librarians relating to attitude, professional skills, and interpersonal skills are described. (Contains 28…

A study to explore public librarians' attitudes and opinions concerning issues of intellectual freedom, collection balance, and controversial materials focused on the availability of Holocaust-denial literature. Results indicate that librarians, regardless of outside pressures, would provide access to this material. A copy of the survey is…

Examines the attitudes of librarians in the 12 member countries of the European Community (EC) toward the removal of technical and economic barriers among EC members on January 1, 1993, and the impact of this development on libraries. Topics addressed include information technology development, librarian mobility, a pan-EC library association, and…

Examines organizational commitment in unionized and nonunionized research libraries based on a survey of 400 professional employees at 26 libraries. Organizational commitment was studied in relation to union presence, union membership status, and union commitment. (Contains 22 references.) (KRN)

Describes results of a survey of members of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) that was conducted to determine the opinions, attitudes, and needs of SLA's members and to assess prospects for new products and services. Changes since the 1986 survey are discussed, and implications for the SLA are suggested. (LRW)

Although the literature has suggested a variety of helpful ways to deal with international students, academic librarians should become more aware of pronunciation differences, more attuned to meanings, and more tactful and sensitive to differing cultural perspectives. Formal coursework in foreign language and culture is suggested. (EA)

Discusses an apparent case of censorship via card catalog indexing in a Florentine research library. The challenge to the authenticity of a fresco by Simone Martini is explained, the ethics of collegiality are considered, and attempts to find redress through various library associations are recounted. (18 references) (LRW)

Includes five articles that discuss the public's access to information from the federal government, especially electronic information. Perspectives are provided from the viewpoints of librarians, industry, public interest research groups, publishers, journalists, and private non-profit foundations; and the Freedom of Information Center at the…

Even though endorsements of written collection development policies abound in the professional literature, many academic libraries do not have them in place. Interviews with several Louisiana librarians reveal possible reasons for that disparity. Instead of spending time devising policies that quickly become inflexible and outdated, bibliographers…

Explores tour trends in academic Association of Research Libraries (ARL), specifically examining the prevalence of several tour formats, including guided, self-guided, and virtual Web tours. Results from a survey conducted in November 2000 include statistical information about tour administration, audience, and structure, as well as perceptions of…

Provides an overview of eight articles by Charles Bunge related to the reference environment that deal with attitudes of the reference librarian, planning and objectives for the reference department, interpersonal dimensions of reference interviews, stress and burnout, and ethics. (LRW)

Recently the Peru State College Library (Nebraska) had an opportunity to use a special acquisitions grant to study the effects of removing librarian bias in one area of its collection. This study considers the use of the items selected for this grant by humanities faculty and compares their use with other items selected by both librarians and…