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Purpose – This paper aims to highlight recent and near-future innovations relating to mobile access that can facilitate new interactions between patrons and libraries. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores mobile hotspots that allow library patrons to “check out” the Internet to access a world of information, as well as the related technologies on the horizon that are poised to transform Internet access worldwide. Innovative libraries and vendors are catching up to the implications of “mobile” beyond the Web interface and are making their collections and technological offerings available using re-envisioned bookmobiles, servers and library circulation modules. Findings – This paper finds that, by using new and cleverly reconfigured technology, libraries can continue to play a central role in the sharing of information in an increasingly mobile world. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that the technological infrastructure that supports mobile libraries will continue to develop and expand access to information around the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to discuss the process of building a 24×7 reference platform for facilitating the farmers with the easy access of information at any time from any location. It takes the text string as input and process it to respond with the desired result to the user. Design/methodology/approach: An interactive Web-based chatbot named as AgriRef was developed using free version of Dialogflow. The intents were defined based on the conversation flow diagram. Furthermore, the application was integrated with website on local server and telegram application. Findings: With this chatbot application, the farmers will able to get answers of their queries. It provides the human-like conversational interface to the farmers. It will also be useful for librarians of agricultural libraries to save time in answering common queries. Originality/value: This paper describes the various steps involved in developing the chatbot application using Dialogflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Driven by globalization and subsequent advancements in technology, higher education has experienced exponential growth in student enrolment and increased diversity in the student population. Among the major changes are new models of learning that have supported both onsite and remote learners for quality education. In response to these major changes in education, the processes, resources and services in library and information science have been redefined to meet the information needs of all users, anytime and anywhere. Historically, libraries shifted from being curators of knowledge to creators and disseminators of knowledge. This paper aims to address the path forward for academic libraries using as example, the Main Library at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (UWI). Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores the evolution of reference services, circulations, digitization, people engagement and how new technologies have fundamentally changed the way librarians at The UWI work. Of equal importance in this discussion of the future of academic libraries is students' ability to navigate the diverse ways in which they access resources and services. Finally, the interests, needs and the practical implications of artificial intelligence in academic libraries will be examined. This digital disruption poses both opportunities and challenges for academic libraries and students within the Caribbean in the 21st Century and beyond. A review of literature as well as a look at trends in academic libraries forms the basis of this discussion. Findings: Library processes and services advanced from automation in the 1980s, internet and online facilities in the 1990s to web-based and consortia offerings in the 2000s rendering old models obsolete. Information products and the process of information sharing have reduced the focus on print collections and face to face interactions to fully online or hybrid offerings. What is evident is that Caribbean Libraries must continue to evolve or risk being left behind in this burgeoning technology age. Originality/value: Often the Caribbean is overlooked when examining the impact and application of technology and the availability of resources to students and the wider society. This paper presents an opportunity to look at the unique status of Caribbean academic libraries, specifically The University of the West Indies Library System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Libraries may become obsolete in the 21st century unless they begin to harness new technology and improve information and service delivery. This paper aims to examine the emergence of robotic technologies with its implications to academic libraries in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The research, which was conducted on a desk, examined how the adoption of robotic technologies may affect library services and operations. Findings: It is believed that robot adoption in libraries can enhance library services and give users with reliable information that can foster growth and development in the information age. Originality/value: This paper is the original idea from the authors and does not reflect on any copyrighted materials. The paper recommended that academic libraries should collaborate with their parent institutions or organisations to create a strategy plan for cutting-edge technology, such as robots; federal and state governments should strengthen their alliances with robot vendors to take advantage of direct support; and open communication between library management boards and librarians should be encouraged, particularly when it comes to the acceptance and use of robots in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aims to investigate the potential of artificial intelligence chatbots in academic libraries along with the dangers associated with the technology. Design/methodology/approach: Literature were sourced from Google scholar and Scopus database-indexed journals to assess the potentials and drawbacks of using ChatGPT (generative pretrained transformer). Findings: The study found that ChatGPT can aid with technical and reader services such as answering basic reference inquiries, navigating the library website and assisting with research, cataloguing, classification and collection development. However, due to the risk of inaccurate query responses, misuse, limited comprehension, input limitation and technological reliance, it should be a complementary technology rather than a replacement for human librarians. Originality/value: To the best of the author' knowledge, this is one of the first articles reviewing the potential of ChatGPT in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Humanoid robots that are artificially intelligent have infiltrated almost every aspect of life, including libraries, and can do things that humans are incapable of doing with greater efficiency in the library. It is on that note that this study has examined artificial intelligence (AI) humanoid robots for public libraries reference services. This study aims to discuss AI and draw the link between it and robotic technology. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted conceptual analysis and review of literature on AI humanoid robots for public libraries reference services. Findings: This study focused not only on humanoid robots but also discovered that there are other types of robots relevant to libraries including chatbot, telepresence and shelve-reading robots as well as general robots such as aerospace robots, drones and army robots, commercial entertainment robots, industrial robots and medical-surgical robots. This paper also reported the usefulness of robots in libraries, and zero in on robots and reference services in the library. Lastly, this study reported the impact of humanoid robots on reference services in public libraries. Originality/value: This paper is the original idea from the authors and does not reflect on any copyrighted materials. This study recommended among others that public libraries (in collaboration with their parent organisations) devise a strategic plan for new and emerging technologies such as humanoid robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to look into the three major new innovative components such as collection tree, tags cloud and geolocation for developing digital library system. This study aims to develop and design an integrated framework for enhancing this services. Design/methodology/approach: This study will develop a single purpose-driven framework for the domain. It will vary user-friendly architecture on expanding the collection tree based on a high-level operating system and plugins. Now software programs are available in the Omeka Web repository. The whole integrated framework has been designed based on the Linux Operating platform and LAMP architecture towards depends on proper installation and configuration of the "Collection Tree" module with Omeka for both the administration and user interfaces. Findings: With this integrated structure, keyword cloud users will have easy access to objects and full-text content. Because it can save readers time, the collection tree is helpful in them. This integrated framework for constructing and designing the collection tree for the digital library allows geolocation-based searches from multiple collections. Originality/value: The integrated domain-specific framework has been designed and developed for the libraries. So, it is feasible to provide better library services in inter-operability and crosswalk through the Omeka collection tree interface. It increases the advanced search mechanism for users using this innovative module and techniques towards creating collection trees based on tag clouds and geolocation for library professionals and advanced level users from multiple collections of hierarchy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are various online library databases available to access, but none of them include a geographic search option. The purpose of this study is to discover a suitable solution to solve this problem. To access information, it is critical to search using the geographic locations available in bibliographic databases. Geographic search functionality is available in Web-scale discovery system and services. Design/methodology/approach: The approach and methods for incorporating geographic search capabilities into VuFind open source discovery software for suitable and appropriate information resource discovery among users are straightforward. Library mash-up tools and techniques were integrated by using geographic locations into a Web-scale library discovery system. Findings: As a result, bibliographic metadata descriptions help all library users to identify and access documents more quickly and easily. It can assist users and librarians in making better use of library resources by integrating various databases with VuFind and by providing them in a single window-based interface. This system has developed a standardised geographic search architecture, and it is entirely based on the Ubuntu operating system. Furthermore, the 034 MARC 21 tag will be adjusted using the latitude and longitude website. Originality/value: Web-scale library services are provided by OCLC WorldCat Discovery Services, Summon Web-scale Discovery, EBSCO Discovery Services, Primo Central and others. This Web-scale discovery services platform relies heavily on geographic search interface functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce chatbot as a new tool of artificial intelligence (AI) and represent the feasibility of using it in different sections of libraries. Design/methodology/approach: The present paper is a theoretical paper that was conducted by the library research method. In this paper, while reviewing various articles in the field of a chatbot, has been tried to identify practical usage of chatbot in library and information centers and also illustrate it. Findings: Findings show that although chatbot is used in some libraries, but this use is limited. Libraries must use the capabilities of this powerful tool for their own purposes and provide the satisfaction of their users. In addition to the benefits of a chatbot, there are some challenges that should be considered by librarians. Originality/value: Few articles have addressed the usage of AI tools such as chatbot in libraries. So, this paper is one of the few articles that express the usage of chatbot in different sections of the library and gives practical examples of their usage in some libraries, mentions the challenges ahead of librarians in the face of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The development of an institutional repository for academic and research libraries makes possible the visibility of localized scholarly contents on web platform and also provide open access to restricted resources. This paper aims to explore the relevance of developing institutional repositories for open and unrestricted access to confined resources, and discusses academic and research libraries roles in developing institutional repositories; the types of software to be used for the development; and the hardware requirements for server setup and copyright issues. With more establishment of institutional repositories, access to localized information domiciled in the remote institutions can be easily accessed by visiting the institutional library online to retrieve the material. Design/methodology/approach: To provide a thorough breakdown of the building of institutional repositories in the University of Ilorin, Library, webliography sources were consulted. Findings: It has been established by the OpenDOAR which is the quality-assured, global Directory of Open Access Repositories that only 30 repositories have been created by some academic and research libraries in Nigeria. There is a need for more academic and research libraries in Nigeria to key into the initiative of developing online institutional repositories to give online visibility to their intellectual contents that have no copyright restrictions in meeting the researcher's information needs. Originality/value: This study revealed a thorough approach and various steps that should be followed in developing institutional repositories for academic and research libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper evaluates the different digital libraries (DLs) in India developed in the past two decades. These DLs help advance scholarship and facilitate the reading habits of their users. Many of these DLs have a rich collection of vernacular literature depicting India's diverse cultural heritages and traditions. DLs in India also help in outreaching global researchers and knowledge seekers. Many diaspora communities use these DLs frequently and other stakeholders such as the international scholars interested in Indic civilization. This paper finally suggests a way forward to make operational DL initiatives discoverable to humans and machines with the adaptation of FAIR principles that make e-resources findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable for their discovery beyond respective DL portals. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a desk survey of DL initiatives in India. Their salient features are obtained from their respective Web portals and social media profiles. Findings: This study identified twelve operational DL initiatives in India. Out of them, the newest five DL initiatives are described in this paper. Originality/value: This study reflects original findings on the newest five DL initiatives of India. These findings were not earlier reported in a journal article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the coming of robots to libraries and the readiness of their hosts who are the librarians in welcoming and accommodating them. Design/methodology/approach: A conceptual and review analysis of documents was adopted to determine the types of robots used in libraries along with their duties, the librarians' readiness and the likes. Findings: There is the fear that the coming of robots to libraries is to take the librarians job; contrarily the arrival of robots to the library is not to replace the librarians but rather to complement their efforts. Originality/value: The paper is the original idea by the authors, and it is to get the librarians with limited skills in libraries prepared for up-skilling if they do not want to be replaced by the robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to teach educators a variety of ways to navigate the digital collections of the Library of Congress, which include primary source materials from the past which can be used to instruct students of all grade levels from elementary through college. Design/methodology/approach: Workshops for preservice teachers, practicing teachers and their college-level and librarian counterparts focused on advanced searching skills and pedagogical structures which help students access primary sources and use them as evidence to draw conclusions about historical events in history. Findings: Many of the Library of Congress' holdings have been digitized, described and categorized for ease of access (subject, keyword and metadata descriptors) and for ease of rights management (copyright, ownership and permissions indicated for each digital object). Practical implications: Digitized primary sources help students create deeper understandings of historical events and periods and allow for multiple perspectives on the same events, thus teaching students valuable skills in drawing conclusions based on primary and secondary information sources. Originality/value: Online collections from the Library of Congress are free for use by teachers, students and the general public, and the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources program makes available free training for teachers in how to use the materials, as well as provides lesson plans, project ideas and thematic units for use in K-12 schools and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out the status/levels of using crowdsourcing in galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) around the globe and to give suggestions on how Indian GLAM can take the benefit of this global trend.Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the analytical study of the literature available on the embracing crowdsourcing for diverse tasks with special emphasis on the efforts of GLAM domain regarding the development of digital repositories.Findings Meticulous analysis of literature and case studies give an overview of the diverse practices of public participation/crowd collaboration in the development of digital repositories around the globe. However, Indian GLAM are far behind in adopting such practices.Practical implications With the rapid growth in digital information and Web-based technology, GLAM around the world encourage and engage public participation in various digitization projects to enrich and enhance their digital collections and place them on the Web. However, Indian GLAM still refrain to accept and adopt such practices. Thus, this paper will encourage and motivate the Indian GLAM to enrich and enhance their collection with crowd contribution and uploading them on Web.Originality/value This is an original paper and has great implementation value. During the study, enormous literature was available on crowd participation in various areas around the globe, as well as in India. International examples of crowd participation in GLAM creation are found in the literature; however, not sufficient evidences are found regarding crowd contribution in Indian GLAM. Hence, the paper, by presenting the evidences of crowd participation in GLAM domain, proposes the Indian GLAM to exploit the benefits of this practice for Indian digital repositories to expedite the creation and development of various national digital repositories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how the Hudson County Community College Library hosted a Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Tournament as part of its Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 programming, and discuss what it learned from hosting the event.Design/methodology/approach This paper details how a community college library planned, hosted and learned from its experience running a Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U Tournament. It will also describe how the library continued to use this experience to plan additional video game-based programming.Findings The Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U Tournament was generally well received by student attendees. However, student feedback revealed a preference for less-competitive “friendly” events instead of tournaments. Students also requested the option of having several games available instead of one.Originality/value Thus far, there has been little research on academic or community college libraries organizing video game-based programming and activities event. There have also been few studies about whether gaming events work better in libraries as tournaments or “free play” activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to share the current state of embedded librarianship in learning management systems as reported by academic librarians. The paper highlights the best practices, as well as continuing questions, in the field of embedded librarianship.Design/methodology/approach The authors collected participant feedback in two active, participatory panel discussions at national conferences. The open forums were centered on three guiding themes of embedded librarianship: building connections with faculty and students; utilizing technology tools; and providing information literacy and assessment. Participants answered directed questions, and their responses were recorded and analyzed for this paper.Findings Librarians report an increasing demand for library services in learning management systems. Collaboration and partnerships across campus are required for successful embedded librarian projects. Technology tools continue to evolve and change, and most librarians can anticipate using multiple learning management systems over time. There is an ongoing need for professional development in online library instruction and assessment.Originality/value This paper provides a snapshot of the current state of embedded librarianship in learning management systems. It offers insights about what academic librarians value, what they have learned and what concerns they still have about library instruction in online environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to determine the influence of social networking Twitter library on the level of utilization of college libraries.Design/methodology/approach The method used to explore this problem is explanative as it uses the multiple linear regression test. The research location is at Universitas Airlangga Library, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sampling technique was purposive, as it used the criteria of the academic community of Airlangga University that became an active member or often visited the homepage of the library’s Twitter account at least three times in the past one month. The sample of this study was 220 respondents.Findings The results of this study illustrate that the satisfaction of users of social networking Twitter library which includes surveillance, diversion/entertainment, personal identity and social relationship, either partially or simultaneously, affects the utilization of the college library.Originality/value Based on these results, libraries should always provide services in accordance with the characteristics of user behavior. In the era of booming social media Twitter for teenagers who are the largest users of college libraries, the use of social networking medium Twitter is considered effective in the libraries of universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper presents a comprehensive review of the poster session “Library orientation in blackboard: supporting online and distance learners” presented at the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) 2017 conference in Baltimore, Maryland.Design/methodology/approach Development of AU Library Student Orientation in Blackboard is discussed from the initial course proposal up to its completion of first year use. Orientation modules are reviewed and include purpose, organization and technology resources utilized to deliver content.Findings Complete library orientation information including project timeline, marketing, learning management systems (LMS) usage data, survey and assessment outcomes, video viewing statistics and plans for moving forward are provided.Practical implications This paper details steps taken and resources used to develop an online library orientation suitable for any LMS. Project design, orientation module structure and select orientation resources are provided.Originality/value This paper addresses the need for academic library orientation to support online and distant learners by delivering a practical library introduction in Blackboard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any distinct differences in e-book usage habits among students in the social sciences, technical fields and the arts. Design/methodology/approach – To complete this study, students from three different disciplinary areas were surveyed. The same nine questions were posed to each student group, with slight modifications to some questions based on the discipline. Findings – The results of this study show that students in each discipline have a preference for convenience and accessibility, whether material is print or electronic. Some more unique characteristics between disciplines include the percentage of students using books and frequency of e-book usage. Originality/value – This study is unique in that it compares the preferences and habits of three specific groups of students from unrelated disciplines. It will be useful for librarians who manage collections for various disciplines and want a better understanding of what should be considered when choosing a format for materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on several web-based tools including the visual representations Infographics from Infogram, the open source digital media editing program Popcorn Maker from Mozilla, and the online business presentation software tool PowToon from PowToon Ltd.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to know the institutions who are developing electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) in India, and to compare the ETDs in India based on a predetermined parameter. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used for this research paper was a descriptive method. The institutional web sites were browsed and searched to collect the data. A relevant literature review was also carried out to describe the current status and other relevant information. Findings – Institutional repositories are a concept gaining movement today. India is moving ahead in this direction and major education and research institutes have already created their own institutional repositories. In analysis and findings, a detailed report of the analysis of data collection and its subsequent interpretations are given. Practical implications – If anybody would like to develop ETDs they can this overview of all the previous developed ETDs in India. It will be helpful for planning, developing and implementing new ETDs. Originality/value – This type of research study has not made till now. It is very important to study current and different types of ETD projects in India and its status. The study of special subject repositories is important for the students, scholars and researchers as well as for the LIS professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate digitization activities in university libraries in Nigeria and to identify the challenges encountered in their various digitization projects. Design/methodology/approach – Data collection for the study was in two phase. First, a telephone conversation with university librarians is to investigate whether they have adopted digitization of materials. Second, e-mail questionnaire was sent to the various university libraries into digitization projects. Findings – The study revealed that only few university libraries have adopted digitization of their information resources in Nigeria. The main aim of the digitization projects is to have greater access to local contents globally. However, the digitization projects are faced with challenges such as unstable internet connectivity, lack of fund, irregular power supply, collecting materials for digitization, lack of IT personnel, absence of digitization policy, and copyright issues. Ways to overcome the challenges were suggested such as provision of stable internet connectivity, installation of solar energy, purchase of giant generators, and training of staff. Originality/value – Findings from this study might be useful to university libraries in developing countries that are planning to go into digitization of information resources for global accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that Ex Libris and EBSCO Publishing (EBSCO) have signed an agreement that enables EBSCOhost subscribers to offer their users full access to EBSCOhost electronic content through a new Primo component called Primo Central. This system will be used by Ex Libris to centrally index EBSCO content and make it available for searches along with other library and institutional collections.

The article focuses on a pilot project launched by the U.S. Library of Congress and Flickr which will offer historical photograph collections. According to the Library of Congress' blog, the project will help address how to ensure better access to the libraries collection. The library is planning to improve its metadata. More than 3,000 photographs from two of the library's most popular collections are being made available on its Flickr page. Based on the library's perspective, the pilot project is a statement about the power of the Web and user communities to aid people better acquire information.

The article reports that Cornell University Library has partnered with Google Inc. to digitize its collections and make them available online. This makes the library the 27th institution to join the Google Book Search Library Project. Under this deal, Google will digitize up to 500,000 materials from Mann Library, one of the 20 member libraries that comprise that Cornell University Library. Once online, these materials will be accessible to students, scholars, and any person from around the world. A comment from Janet A. McCue, director of the Mann Library, is presented.

The article details the Snap & Go project of the Contra Costa County Library in California. It notes that Snap & Go is a quick response (QR) code project which started with a mobile phone and a universal product code (UPC). With this project, the library aims to change techniques of library service delivery, deliver more library services off-site and expand technology use, availability and complexity. The author states that mobile technology and advanced information delivery will allow the library to reduce dependence on access to computers.

The article describes factors that cause the inhibition of the development of information transfer on the continent of Africa. Within the purview of the global information infrastructure, the sharing of information through transfer as initiated by information providers becomes significant. But the process of information transfer, especially in Africa, can be hindered by several problems, primarily by inadequate information infrastructure such as local and functional public libraries. Cultural barriers also play a key hindrance to technological development on the continent.

Purpose – This article aims to describe ebrary, a new digital library. Design/methodology/approach – The article is prepared by a library professional and provides a summary of the main features. Findings – A new digital library, ebrary is powerful system that cost effectively and efficiently creates highly interactive, online databases of content. ebrary creates databases of books, maps, sheet music, reports and other authoritative content from leading publishers, which they license to libraries and other institutions worldwide. Originality/value – This article is a useful summary of a development of interest to library and information management professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third and last in a series that describes Open Archives Initiative service providers. It profiles services that offer access to a variety of resources and recently initiated projects as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the discovery services which can creatively market and promote the Library such as using EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) at the Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey to advertise library news and services. It discusses the aim of the tool such as Summon in attaining the degree of marketing sophistication. It mentions that the tools provides comfort in the integration of widgets and application programming interfaces (APIs) for promotional purposes.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share how a US university library used technology to promote pluralism after a desecrated Qur'an was found near the local Islamic Center in September 2010. Design/methodology/approach – Efforts undertaken by library staff are described in this case study. Special attention is paid to the technology used by various library committees and units. Findings – Institutional support for diversity enabled a swift and unified response. Partnerships with community and campus organizations enriched a library display and engendered a public program. LibGuides, QR codes, a public service announcement, social media, web features, and an audio recording were used to publicize and extend the reach of the exhibit and panel discussion. Originality/value – Libraries can promote pluralism through exhibits and public programming. Impact can be magnified through the use of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examined the effect of information literacy orientations on usage statistics in an academic library. The study aims to show that library orientations increase student usage of the library. A library orientation is a 45-minute to 1 hour instructional lecture delivered by a librarian in a conference room within the library or in the classroom. The lecturer consists of information about the services and resources offered by the library. The article describes the study's design and lays the foundation for more empirical research into the subject.

The article discusses digitization, which refers to the conversion of an item, like printed text, manuscripts, image of sound film and video recording, from one format into digital. Devices that can be used to digitize cultural heritage materials include flatbet scanning, digital cameras and planetary cameras. The primary reason behind digitization is to enhance access and improve preservation of important documents. Before undertaking digitization, the most basic question is whether there is at all a need for digitization.

The article discusses the highlights of a conference on the relationships of text and image at the University of California in Irvine from February 1 to 2, 2007. It explores the tensions between text and writing from hieroglyphs to the web. The symposium featured several history and information technology experts including Edward L. Ayers, Robert Folkenflick and Anne Burdick.

Purpose – A Conference Report from the 5th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists held for the first time on the African continent. To inform library colleagues about this specialty area of librarianship, the literature, concerns and work of animal science and veterinary librarians. The international scope of this meeting reinforced the importance. Design/methodology/approach – Description of conference content and introduction of speakers and participants. Findings – Information needs of animal health information specialists around the world appear to be the same but the digital divide is very significant with practitioners in Africa with issues concerning bandwidth, connectivity, local economies and other access related concerns continue to experience an information delivery gap. Research limitations/implications – Suggests the technological and access concerns of this special librarian population. Practical implications – Awareness and networking for this relatively small group of librarians. Originality/value – Learning about this group which meets irregularly is of great value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the highlights of the annual Charleston Conference that was held on November 8-11, 2006 in Charleston, South Carolina. The theme of the 2006 conference was "Unintended Consequences." The opening speaker was Ray English, director of Libraries at Oberlin College, who discussed the consequences of the pricing practices of commercial scientific journal publishers. Other topics covered in the conference included open access journals, electronic books and digital archiving.