International and minority students often pose additional challenges due to cultural, linguistic, or socio-economic differences with the mostly white, middle class, highly educated (and predominantly female) public service librarians with whom they come into contact. Such differences can range from minor speech/articulation problems to major…

During the 1991-92 school year, 109 public school library book collections in Louisiana were surveyed to determine the average ages of volumes in various categories, including all Dewey decimal numbers. Results showed that the average age of books in Louisiana public school libraries was 23.51 years in 1992. The average age of the computerized…

Examines some of the factors affecting the participation of librarians in professional development activities. Reference librarians working in large urban public libraries in Ontario were surveyed. Data on participation in formal and informal learning activities, together with information about their perceptions of their libraries' environment…

Examines the extent to which professional catalog librarians in academic libraries are involved in public services activities. Current literature is reviewed, results of a survey begun in 1983 and updated in 1986 and 1988 are analyzed and compared, and new areas in which an expanded role for catalog librarians would be beneficial are suggested.…

A 1991 survey asked how the position of systems librarian has changed. Data from three categories of academic and research libraries was analyzed by size of library, and changes involving increasing implementation of electronic media were identified. It was found that the role of systems librarian is difficult to define while technology changes…

Describes a study that investigated the attitudes of media personnel in community colleges to determine the projected need for media personnel and the areas of education and experience necessary for instructional support personnel. The importance of instructional media today and in the future is discussed. (eight references) (LRW)

Argues that, with the trend toward viewing reference librarians as information brokers and the reification and privatization of information, the traditional goals of libraries and librarianship are being lost, i.e., providing free and open access to books and information to promote informed democracy and the public good. (63 references) (EAM)

Summarizes research from Ph.D. dissertations that indicates that schools with a written policy on the selection and reconsideration of library materials are more successful in retaining questioned materials. Highlights include legal aspects of censorship; censorship attempts by community members, teachers, and librarians; and prospects for future…

Describes telecommunications and networking developments in Australia that provide increased communication and cooperation opportunities for libraries, as well as linkages to international information sources. Staff attitudes, document access and supply, the current situation of Australian academic libraries, and the concept of a distributed…

Discusses responses to a 1990 survey of 21 Chief Librarians of medium-sized public libraries in Ontario regarding experiences working with the Library Board. Topics addressed include the powers and role of the board, balance and limits of power, informing the board, working with the municipality, the working relationship, clarifying expectations,…

Professional librarians employed in Scottish secondary schools are intended to support delivery of the formal curriculum, equip students with information handling skills, and empower pupils to take responsibility for lifelong learning. Many librarians are not realizing this potential, in part because of tensions between the professions of…

Describes how library administrators can create awareness of the disabled as capable staff and patrons and help staff develop positive attitudes toward the disabled. Suggestions include use of existing programs to promote awareness; sensitivity training; use of appropriate terminology for the disabled; and the need for ongoing efforts. (three…

Describes four women whose careers have involved library automation and who are prototypes for librarians whose service philosophy will be realized through new tools and tasks. How the women were located and interviewed, their first experiences with computers, the role of mentors in their development, and their publishing efforts are described.…

Describes a study that was conducted to explore the attitudes of school library media specialists toward the use of technology and to examine whether the factors of experience, education, professional organization involvement, school assignment, school location, and technologies available in the school library affect those attitudes. (seven…

Investigated the impact of the school library resource center on learning in Scottish secondary schools. Determined what teachers, students, and librarians perceived to be the learning experiences taking place; and examined specific examples of school library activity to identify whether the learning was in fact happening and how it might be…