It has been observed that one historical role of the public library is serving the nation's youth. Current economic and social conditions have created the phenomenon of the "latchkey child"--the school-aged child who has no parent or guardian at home after school hours and has no alternative care arrangement. In light of this, this…

Discusses the state of outsourcing in American libraries. Highlights include objectives (to reduce cost, increase the quality of service, and achieve a better price/performance objective); operations that can be outsourced; pros and cons; changes in the way library personnel view their work; outsourcing in special, public, academic, and federal…

Emphasizing that behavior and attitude are what mark a professional, the status and impressions of library support personnel are examined. Focuses on the experiences of an MLS holder in a nonprofessional academic library position. Discusses treatment by librarians and other support staff and emerging communication among support personnel. (AEF)

Examines the perceived prestige of professional journals held by the deans/directors of American Library Association accredited schools of library and information studies and the directors of Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Results suggest that the two survey populations hold very different views of these professional journals. Eight…

Describes the results of a survey of acquisitions librarians in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries that was conducted to determine the level of involvement expected from library schools in educating librarians for acquisitions work. The type of training that is needed is examined, sources of acquisitions training are…

A survey of curriculum centers in Illinois academic institutions found that a wide range of library services were offered to education faculty, staff, and students and that librarians were committed to the education community and the larger university. (EA)

Reports results of a survey of authority control/database maintenance librarians in 151 major academic and research libraries in the United States and Canada that investigated the current state of automation change, reactions of technical services staff to changes, and methods used to train staff in the changed technology. List of surveyed…

Presents a series of memos exchanged between the director and the reference librarian of an academic library, which argue whether a South African government publication should be labeled as propaganda. The two librarians debate whether labeling is a form of censorship or a necessary explanation of the nature of the material. (MAB)

A British program for multicultural librarian training aims to develop understanding of Europe's cultural and ethnic diversity, historical roots of racism, and political and institutional structures that sustain racist attitudes and practices and to equip librarians to provide services to all patrons in ways not supporting discrimination. (MSE)

Describes a survey that investigated the feasibility of a single library education program for the education of teacher-librarians in developing countries. Results are compared with the outcome of a similar survey conducted in Iran; the idea of a core curriculum is discussed; and competencies expressed as necessary by librarians are examined.…

Explains the organizational and professional concept of a "compleat librarian" that has been developed at the Rider College (New Jersey) Library. Highlights include a nonhierarchical organizational structure; a combination of traditional public and technical services responsibilities; a lack of supervisory duties; collegiality and…

Examines library programs for teaching information technologies and argues that many fulfill the wishes of librarians, not faculty and students. Faculty visions for the use of technology in teaching, research, and publishing are discussed. It is concluded that librarians must look at technology from the faculty viewpoint in order to develop…

Service-learning pedagogies are used in K-12 and higher education to provide students with experiential learning opportunities and foster connections between students, their communities, and the world. Presents comments from librarians across the United States on their experiences with service-learning programs. Suggests strategies for libraries…

Librarians in Library Power schools were asked to describe meaningful student learning experiences in their libraries and to explain what made them meaningful. Responses were analyzed for the quality of the learning experience described and for the kinds of indicators cited as evidence of learning. Case studies observed how school library media…

Uses qualitative survey data to find patterns and themes among librarians with regard to their attitudes toward the Internet and reference services, and related professional activities. Includes a selection of categorized survey responses, interpretation of the data by the author and suggestions for further research. (Contains 3 references.)…