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This essay offers a more accurate picture of the objective of cataloging bibliography. It reconsiders some misperceptions and actions being taken in the profession of cataloging and librarianship at large. The objects and means for the catalog are discussed. It considers recent changes at the Library of Congress to demonstrate cataloging's perception in the profession.

The article examines the management of information technology, particularly computers and the Internet, in libraries in Nigeria. Efforts by those libraries to close the so-called "digital divide" in which many persons lack access to the Internet and other digital media are discussed. It is noted that the main emphasis of libraries is shifting from the collection and storage of books to offering access to electronic information services. The importance of training Nigerian librarians in digitization and insuring a high level of information literacy among librarians is stressed.

Traditional materials in a map library collection, particularly unbound paper maps, provide specific challenges for preservation and conservation. General preservation concerns and basic repair techniques that can be performed in-house on paper maps will also be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines amateur genealogists' satisfaction with a variety of available resources, ranging from specialized library services to search engines. Surveys were placed in both State Historical Society of Iowa libraries and sent to reading room librarians to uncover what resources users most value and why. Questions were also posed to uncover unmet information needs and determine user suggestions for improvement across resources. Findings indicate that preferences were not only limited to the institution or website accessed, but the type of information and its format, which may help guide library collection development policies to better address user needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While 'convergence' has been a topic of much discussion in the museum, archive, and library communities, the emerging similarities between these three types of cultural heritage institutions - most apparent in their on-line activities - are not yet evident in the education of professionals who work in them. Curriculum models still support traditional definitions of the roles, functions, and audiences of archives, libraries, and museums. Professional practice can evolve in the context provided by digital heritage and digital curation, and respond in a manner that supports common goals across institution types. New inter-disciplinary foci for professional training can provide skills needed across the sector, while respecting the distinct histories, cultural roles, and responsibilities of libraries, archives, and museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a collection development tool that identifies a list of key orthopedic journals to retain in print or license electronically in an academic or teaching hospital library. The authors developed an assessment tool comparing five measures of importance and use, including journal impact factor, cited half-life, interlibrary loan lending, electronic archival access, and library usage. This study assists medical librarians and orthopedic surgeons by identifying the titles in this subject area that may be of most enduring value for professional reading and for hospital library collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation into the types of knowledge organisation systems (KOSs) utilised in North American digital library collections. Design/methodology/approach - The paper identifies, analyses and deep scans online North American hosted digital libraries. It reviews the literature related to the application of KOSs on the web, identifies widely used KOSs and tools and reviews the literature related to collaborative collections on the web. Findings - A total of 269 North American digital library collections were examined. The Library of Congress Subject Headings is the most widely used subject representation tool, followed by domain-specific thesauri, 113 digital library collections make use of locally developed taxonomies. A few collections use the Dewy Decimal Classification and alphabetical indexes. Research limitations/implications - This research was limited to North American digital library collections. Practical implications - The findings show the popular KOSs used in digital library collections. It also shows the organisational contexts of the examined digital library collections. Originality/value - This research contributes to the areas of digital libraries and to the application of KOSs and services for subject representation and access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reprints excerpts from Aaron Trehub's piece about the relationship between Slavic studies and Slavic librarianship in the United States in the immediate aftermath of the end of the Cold War. The author, who at the time was Slavic librarian and bibliographer (and former Soviet affairs analyst), notes that through a curious quirk of history, the collapse of communism coincided with the birth of a powerful new communications medium (the World Wide Web). Together, these geopolitical and technological developments have fundamentally changed librarianship in general and Slavic librarianship in particular. Trehub's discussion of the various day-to-day difficulties experienced by Slavic librarians in the post-Cold War period pays special attention to the challenges that new information technologies create for patrons, as well as the instructional burden that this places on librarians. He suggests that excessive reliance on the Web may erode the capacity to reason critically, but admits that the long-term effects of digitization on education and research are unclear. In effect, Trehub's essay provides the historical background for re-evaluating what competencies constitute Slavic information literacy in the twenty-first century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entering its second decade, evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP), the now-preferred term for evidence based librarianship, can count some notable successes. In particular, the initiation and growth of an international open access journal, the ongoing development of an International Conference series, and a proliferation of articles on the stages of the evidence based process attest to its ongoing progress. Of particular note is the increasing engagement within the academic library community now manifest in a variety of case studies. Reviewing the most recent five years of EBLIP development, since a landmark review that chronicled the first five years, the author draws on his close association with the EBLIP movement to assess the progress made. The wider backdrop of evidence based practice has contributed a wider recognition of the types of evidence that support evidence based decision-making. Much technical progress has been made in identification and retrieval of the evidence and its subsequent quality assessment. A significant number of studies document implementation in a local context. Notwithstanding such progress, however, the distance to be travelled is still significant. Challenges remaining within an academic library context include the perennials of lack of time, shortage of skills and the need for a supportive culture and infrastructure. Nevertheless recent developments open up the prospect of drawing on the emerging evidence based practice toolkit to target such problems with tailored and appropriate responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the future of collection management and the need to improve user-centered features. The author believes that a common practice in collection management is to develop collections based on what librarians think users will want, rather than actually taking the time to learn what users want. She also points out that collections are often built based on policies that have been designed to lightened the workload of librarians. She urges collection managers to take a more user-centered approach, noting that this style of collection building is responsible for producing many world class libraries. She discusses several user-centered features such as self-checkout, home and office delivery and electronic books.

This study, an analysis of the foreign approval plans for Romance languages at the University of Alabama Libraries, investigates the use of WorldCat as an assessment tool. The technique employs the capability in WorldCat to limit to a specific library collection and thereby to compare and contrast library collections. The analysis provides results that reveal relative strengths and weaknesses within the collections. The WorldCat default ranking by library holdings provides title lists for future collection development. In establishing comparisons among collections and highlighting missing titles, the technique uses basic WorldCat to mimic some of the features of OCLC's Worldcat Collection Analysis, a subscription product derived from the WorldCat database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic library collections have largely reflected the dominance of text for teaching and scholarship, though our culture is increasingly visual. The authors developed a survey to answer questions about the demand for images in academic libraries and how librarians are adapting services and collections to a more visual culture. The survey was distributed to nine electronic mailing lists related to academic librarianship, resulting in 225 unique responses from diverse institutions. Survey responses indicate librarians embrace images and are finding creative ways to access both individual images and collections, though aspects of visual resources pose challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses cataloging and classification in 2009. The Music Library Association's Bibliographic Control Committee has released its "Final Report of the BCC Working Group on Work Records for Music, which looks at issues surrounding the question of what elements of musical works should be cataloged. The Monash University Library conducted a trial of the Ebooks Corporation client-driven acquisition model for purchasing electronic books. Serco Consulting released a report entitled "A UK Research Data Service Feasibility Study for the Higher Education Funding Council for England."

In 2007–2008, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries conducted a large collection assessment project. The Collection Assessment Committee identified several possible ways to conduct the review, one of which was using reports from the link resolver SFX. The committee used several link resolver reports in conjunction with statistics from the Libraries'' document delivery department to identify trends in journal usage among disciplines. The link resolver reports can help identify new journals for purchase and are useful for providing information on user behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes the contents of a substantial and little-known collection of Russian Civil War photographs currently held at the Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Special Collections Library, Duke University. The images come from the personal archive of General Robert L. Eichelberger (1886-1961), Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations Division, and Chief Intelligence Officer with the American Expeditionary Forces in eastern Siberia, 1918-1920. The article analyzes the scholarly research value of this collection, which has been scanned as part of the Duke University Libraries digital collections project called Americans in the Land of Lenin: Documentary Photographs of Early Soviet Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This column provides a status update of electronic resource management systems (ERMS) in addition to librarian comments concerning benefits, challenges and wish lists for ERM tools. Nine company/organization profiles are provided based on survey responses: the CUFTS ERM (an open source ERMS developed by Simon Frasier University), EBSCO’s ERM Essentials™, Ex Libris’ Verde, Colorado Alliance’s Gold Rush, HARRASSOWITZ’s HERMIS, Innovative ERM, Serials Solutions 360 Resource Manager, SwetsWise eSource Manager and TDNet Open ERAM. Each profile describes availability, development, use of standards, compatibility, functionality and distinguishing features. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on the study that evaluates the strengths as problems of the library education in Bangladesh. It shows that library education in the country has received little attention, although libraries need dynamic people with the proper education to achieve their goals. It argues that library science programs have not conducted surveys to determine the needs of libraries and information centers, to determine the qualifications needed to staff such institutions.

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to discover university librarians' perceptions regarding importance of various elements of CM, and self- assessment about the status of CM in university libraries of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach -- To achieve the objectives of the study, the survey method was used with self-completion questionnaires to collect data from throughout Pakistan. The questionnaire was sent to central libraries of 40 major accredited universities of Pakistan and 30 responses were obtained. Findings -- It was found that the university librarians are still not fully conversant with the changing scenario of CM in both theoretical and practical terms. It also appeared that the university librarians were not satisfied with the overall status of managing a collection in the majority of cases. Originality/value -- The paper is the first study on the overall status of collection management in Pakistan. It will invoke among professionals the need to learn and apply modern practices of collection management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Many bibliographies of books about C.S. Lewis' works and life have been compiled in the past, but a bibliography of recent literary criticism addressing Lewis and his work is hard to come by. The purpose of this paper is to provide a bibliography of the best works recently published about C.S. Lewis and his writings. Design/methodology/approach -- Many different sources were used to find current popular works about C.S. Lewis and his writings. The author searched several databases, read several book reviews, and looked through the source itself when available in order to compile an annotated list of current works, which are viewed to be important additions to the literature about C.S. Lewis and his works. Practical implications -- The resulting bibliography is not a complete list of everything written about C.S. Lewis in the past few years. Instead, the intent is to compile a research guide of the sources considered to be the most useful contributions to the works about C.S. Lewis that already exist. Findings -- Included in this research guide is a list of quality biographies and literary criticism found in reference sources; a sample of book-length resources focusing on Lewis' life, thought, and writings; short descriptions of periodicals that frequently discuss Lewis' work; and examples of popular databases and web resources dedicated to C.S. Lewis. Originality/value -- In addition to being intended for students, faculty, and those of the general public who are interested in reading about or doing research on C.S. Lewis and his works, this guide is designed for librarians who are trying to develop, maintain, or evaluate a collection on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Currently there is a need for an updated assessment model that addresses and reflects the ongoing diversity of issues related to collection evaluation in academic libraries. The purpose of this paper is to provide conceptual guidelines and a model to support collection evaluation and assessment in this time of unstable and constantly changing patterns of information. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper provides a literature review of the collection evaluation and assessment. Based on an analytical study of environmental factors and their relationship to, and impact on, the library collection, the authors propose a new model of collection evaluation to address the needs of the current environment. Findings -- The paper identifies environmental factors in collection evaluation, establishes a set of ratios that need to be addressed and finally, provides a set of indicators for collection evaluation and assessment that can be selected from, and adapted to each library's needs. Research limitations/implications -- This paper bridges two different collection evaluation models, collection-based and user-based. It identifies that there is not a single appropriate collection evaluation method. It provides a different perspective to a body of literature that is mostly best practice-based. Practical implications -- With this research a new model is suggested that provides flexibility and adaptability. It offers a multidimensional approach that libraries can use and adapt to their specific situation. Originality/value -- The new model suggested here addresses a current need generated by a changing information environment. It adds a new approach to the body of literature in the area of collection evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the strengths, problems, and suggestions for library education in Bangladesh. According to this study library education in this country has received little attention and libraries need staff that are well educated and goal-oriented. Library science programs have not done surveys to find out what are the needs of the country's libraries and information centers in order to assess what the staff qualifications should be. Information on the development of library education systems in this country is provided.

This case study describes the author's experience of creating a library for graduate medical education (GME) in a hospital without an existing library. Needs assessment, collection development, and end-user education activities are described, along with the process of working with hospital administration to establish a physical library. Issues discussed include impact of the hospital firewall on electronic collections and the provision of resources and services to non-GME hospital staff in a situation where library funding comes from medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-based studies conducted during the last decade reinforce the importance of continued collaboration between employers and library and information science educators in order to close the gap between the classroom and workplace. A library educator, the researcher conducted four empirical studies using a content analysis methodology specifically designed to identify the skills and competencies that catalogers and technical services librarians in the twenty-first century must possess. The analysis of 355 position descriptions and 289 survey responses enabled the researcher to identify five domains common across library types. Employers' expectations for catalogers and technical services librarians fell into these areas: education, theoretical knowledge, cataloging competencies, communication skills, and interpersonal skills (including supervision and training). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the ten years since the International Conference on the Principles and Future Development of AACR, long-standing debates have continued as to whether or not to have a "main entry," and whether or not to exercise the rule of three to limit the number of headings or access points in certain cases. Recent proposals from the Joint Steering Committee for Development of RDA have recommended a change in "main entry" terminology to "primary access point," and the elimination of the rule of three. This article explores how and why these shifts have occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This article sets out to describe the challenges and opportunities created by the presentation of a number of special collections to the library service of Waterford Institute of Technology. It aims to focus on the work done with the collections to date and plans for the future. Design/methodology/approach — This case study reports on the collections presented to WIT Library Service and the approach taken to their conservation and display. It also discusses the ongoing issues involved in special collections management in a modern academic library setting. Findings — The paper concludes that there is a delicate balancing act involved in accepting and managing special collections in contemporary academic libraries. Key factors to consider are expense, staff time and skills, and potential benefits to the library and its users. Research limitations/implications — The project is still in development. The study provides a view on one medium-sized academic library's experience of handling special collections. Practical implications — This account is likely to be useful for organisations in a similar position, faced with similar challenges of comparable scale. Originality/value — The paper offers practical insights for libraries in similar positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succession planning, a strategy for developing leaders from within the company or organization, is a technique that could be useful to libraries. Libraries will soon be faced with more open positions because of retirements than we can fill. The dilemma is complicated by a shortage of younger, midcareer librarians and a shortage of new recruits into the profession. These openings will be primarily in leadership positions. This problem will affect libraries of all kinds including business libraries. One solution is to "grow your own" leaders by using succession planning techniques to identify staff with the interest and potential for upper-level positions, to determine the gaps in knowledge, and to set up training and mentoring programs so that they are ready to assume leadership positions in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Problem-Based Learning students are exposed to problems from the very beginning of their schooling. They are asked to logically consider solution/solutions to a particular problem. Moreover, they learn about a topic through triggers in a problem to identify various objectives. PBL is however different from problem solving. It is a problem-first approach, wherein the process of acquiring new knowledge occurs while working through the problem. This results in the retention of the theoretical knowledge acquired, development of an ability to apply that knowledge to a particular diagnostic problem and initiation into a continuing education process. The PBL curriculum is a student-centered, self-directed and a lifelong paradigm. In PBL the use of library resources increases manifold and the curriculum makes other demands on libraries and librarians which need redesigning the services and resources and the development of new skills and competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a case study, which was conducted during the doctoral study by the author. It seeks to discover the strength of information literature contained in the British Library Document Supply Centre in whatever form for the expansion of research. The multi method approach was used for collecting the data using two different instruments quantitative questionnaire and qualitative, semi-structured interview technique. One-day study visit was arranged to obtain detailed information regarding the latest opportunities for the researchers worldwide. After guided tour around the centre, the semi-structured interview approach was used. The data has been updated by use Of Internet in 2007. It shows that it provides a very rapid and comprehensive document supply and interlibrary loan service to researchers in all kinds of libraries and organizations using post, fax or other electronic, delivery by ordering from theft online catalogues. It emerged from the case study that libraries and other information centres in developing countries (including Pakistan) must change. This is because users of library services need the libraries to revolutionize now, to empower researchers through a global flow of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contextualizes the historical evolution of modern librarianship in East Asia, encompassing the sub-regions of North-East and South-East Asia, in the societies in which it emerged. Employs the theory of cultural hegemony, conceptualized by Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937), as the foundation for viewing that evolution of East Asian librarianship. Discusses external influences, the role of human agency and technical and cultural heritage. A stated aim of the article is to reveal to practising and aspiring librarians, especially in East Asia, the cultural determinants of their professional history and help them gain a better understanding of the complex roots in the development of libraries globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study of e-book usage amongst students with an university library collection. The main objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate how easy or difficult students found it to use e-books by giving them the opportunity to interact with e-books in an operational environment; (ii) determine whether any differences existed in ease of use ratings between students that had and had not used an e-book before the survey; (iii) investigate which e-book features users valued in terms of shelf browsing and content browsing; (iv) measure students' preferences between e-books or printed books given several scenarios; (v) establish whether any differences existed in terms of book format preferences between students that had and had not used an e-book before the survey; (vi) explore students' perceptions and impressions regarding specific features, such as browsable and searchable book indexes and table of contents, in an online library catalogue. The respondents were selected using a systematic random approach from a list of respondents from a previous web survey who had agreed beforehand to participate in this study. A total of 18 participants consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate instructional students completed the study. The findings indicated that in general students found that interacting with e-books in the collection was very easy. Students indicated that their preferred book formats varied depending on the context. In general students were positive about incorporating certain additional e-book features into an online library catalogue. Despite their positive reactions and attitudes towards e-books, students commented that e-books needed to be promoted more strongly and that there were limitations with respect to their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of "The Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship" (E-JASL). In 1999, the author partnered with the International Consortium for Alterative Academic Publication (ICAAP) to found a new electronic journal, "The Journal of Southern Academic and Special Librarianship," renamed E-JASL. The case study is based on the author's own experiences founding and developing a professional, independent, permanently archived, peer reviewed, open-access, electronic library journal, employing a scholar-led model of publishing.

This article discusses what the D'Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History has done to render more accessible Newberry Library's renowned collection of printed materials on American Indian history, culture and literatures. The author said that the center, which is located in Chicago, Illinois, is focused on creating bridges and challenging boundaries, and that the tension between scholarship and activism molds the activities of the center and is responsible for numerous groundbreaking initiatives. The center serves distinct constituencies but ultimately exists to promote the use of library collections.

Digital materials are reshaping library collections and, by extension, traditional library practice for collecting, organizing, and preserving information. This paper uses OCLC's WorldCat bibliographic database as a data source for examining questions relating to digital materials in library collections, including criteria for identifying digital materials algorithmically in MARC21 records; the quantity, types, characteristics, and holdings patterns of digital materials cataloged in WorldCat; and trends in WorldCat cataloging activity for digital materials over time. Issues pertaining to cataloging practice for digital materials and perspectives on digital holdings at the work level also are discussed. Analysis of the aggregate collection represented by the combined digital holdings in WorldCat affords a high-level perspective on historical patterns, suggests future trends, and supplies useful intelligence with which to inform decision making in a variety of areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podcasts offer a way for medical professionals to listen to current information in medicine from an iPod, MP3 player, handheld device, or computer. As podcasts become more popular, libraries may be interested in integration programs into the library collection. South Pointe Medical Library evaluated medical podcasts relevant to the scope of the library collection and explored methods for finding and organizing such programs in ways that are efficient for both the librarian and the patron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video recordings present many quirks not experienced when purchasing and processing books. We summarize the evaluative processes involved for choosing videos, choosing vendors, and cataloging videos. As these processes involve several units within the library, cross-unit collaboration exploits the expertise of all participants. Our selection policy is largely driven by the curriculum. While we order some feature films, our primary focus is on educational recordings. This presents special problems, as educational video recordings are not advertised or reviewed as widely as books or feature films, and it is therefore more difficult to know what is available. In addition, audiovisual materials present special cataloging and access problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic business partnerships inform business faculty-librarian (BFL) collaboration. This paper seeks to address how the motivations for business partnerships and faculty-librarian collaborations are similar. A conceptual model suggests that the depth of the BFL relationship significantly enhances electronic collection development outcomes. Literature concerning strategic business alliances, faculty-librarian collaborations, and collection development was examined to determine whether principles that ate applied to strategic business alliances can also be applied to BFL collaborations. A case-in-point is included for illustration. Specific principles of strategic business partnerships can be applied to BFL collaborations aimed at improving electronic collection development. In addition, driving forces such as assessment, communication, and technology influence the nature of alliances across the business and academic arenas. The findings are significant because they demonstrate how BFL collaborations can be made more effective through the application of business principles. BFL collaborations can positively influence electronic collection development in a variety of ways. The paper offers a new and unique conceptual model that improves understanding of the nature and depth of BFL collaborations in the context of electronic collection development. This paper will be of interest to business faculty in particular and faculty in general, and librarians working in diverse library settings, especially librarians aligned with management and business departments. Librarians in management positions will likely find this information useful as a means to increase faculty-librarian collaboration across all disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many librarians, lawyers, and law students express interest in becoming foreign, comparative, and international law (FCIL,) librarians. This paper answers common questions about the job duties, salaries, qualifications, satisfactions, and frustrations of FCIL librarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author examines the evolution of the current Australian demographic and its implications for the delivery of public library services. The ‘baby boomers’, the generation born between 1946 and 1961, are the next cohort to be seriously in need of housebound services, and the characteristics and likely needs of this group are considered with particular reference to the public libraries of Adelaide. This case study report presents the findings of interviews conducted with 14 public libraries in metropolitan and regional Adelaide who currently provide a library service to their housebound patrons, including both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gather data. The chief method used was open-ended interviews conducted with the librarians responsible for the provision of this service at each of the participating libraries. The interviews were conducted between April and September 2004. Other methods used included observation in the field and document analysis of strategic planning reports, volunteer information pamphlets, client information pamphlets and census data generated by the participating libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: what are an open system and its components? How can the open system model be used to describe a library system including its objectives and functions? What is the situation of librarianship in Pakistan in terms of the elements, characteristics and features of an open system model? Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a review of the literature. The challenges which are faced by librarianship today are presented as a supra-system of a library system. Inputs (people, knowledge, material, energy, capital and finance), processes, outputs and feedback mechanism of Pakistani librarianship are described. Characteristics of an open system such as users, controller, cycle of events, teleology, mission and negative entropy are presented with special reference to libraries in Pakistan. Findings – That the Library system in Pakistan would benefit from the application of an open systems approach, but resource and other constraints prevent this from happening. Research limitations/implications – Attempts to show how open systems theory can be applied to the sphere of a national library system. Practical implications – The barriers to implementing the systems model offered in this paper are essentially practical: resource constraints, political priorities, and related social or governmental factors. Originality/value – The paper is useful not only to understand how a library can be studied using systems theory but also to have a picture of the present state of librarianship in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes that a viable approach archivists might consider to meet increasing demands for access to digital images with functional presentation tools is to develop a reciprocal partnership with a digital library. The University of California's experience with the federation of licensed and UC-owned digital image collections is summarized to illuminate core issues related to collection development, system functionality, and patron usability. The resulting UC Image Service is then examined against a backdrop of comparable digital imaging projects with reflections on strategies and intersections. The range of business models and approaches to digital image collection access and developing image management and presentation tools highlight the unprecedented opportunities digital technology provides for moving archives towards an integrated environment through collaborative action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper examines how the adoption of a subject-specific library service has changed the way in which its users interact with a digital library. The LitMiner text-analysis application was developed to enable biologists to explore gene relationships in the published literature. The application features a suite of interfaces that enable users to search PubMed as well as local databases, to view document abstracts, to filter terms, to select gene name aliases, and to visualize the co-occurrences of genes in the literature. At each of these stages, LitMiner offers the functionality of a digital library. Documents that are accessible online are identified by an icon. Users can also order documents from their institution's library collection from within the application. In so doing, LitMiner aims to integrate digital library services into the research process of its users. Methods: Case study Results: This integration of digital library services into the research process of biologists results in increased access to the published literature. Conclusion: In order to make better use of their collections, digital libraries should customize their services to suit the research needs of their patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the way librarians are adapting the principles and practices of the profession to the emerging information environment of the 21st Century through an examination of the activities of librarians nominated by their peers for the 21st-Century Librarian award, given by the Syracuse University School of Information Studies from 2000-2004. Taken collectively, the activities of these librarians provide a snapshot of the directions of the profession in the early 21st century. The paper concludes with an analysis of the continuities and discontinuities between these activities and the work of the profession before the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the 2004 Council of Australian and New Zealand Academic Library (CAUL) statistics. The 2004 statistics include 48 entries, which cover 39 Australian and 8 New Zealand academic library systems and co-operative store. The data for the 2004 CAUL statistics was collected using the Input Module of the GAUL Statistics Online website. The collection procedures and publication details for the 2004 data are as recommended by the CAUL Statistics Focus Group and endorsed by CAUL. The entries in the main statistical tables for the Australian libraries have been arranged alphabetically within states, followed by the data for the New Zealand libraries. CAUL has engaged CAVAL Collaborative Solutions to collect and compile the statistics. Population data was supplied by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training for all Commonwealth government funded higher education institutions in Australia. Eight rows of statistical information for both the Australian and New Zealand libraries have been added to the main tables. These rows show the total for all the Australian libraries and the total for all New Zealand libraries.

Popular for their ability to provide full-text linking, OpenURL link servers, such as SFX, can also interface with online catalogs and interlibrary loan modules, giving library users the ability to locate articles in print or request items not owned by their local institution. This article examines four different approaches to integrating print holding information into SFX, detailing the advantages and drawbacks of each approach. The ultimate goal is to provide end-users with comprehensive, dynamic access to the full range of core library services, including online full-text, print materials, and interlibrary loan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the status of the library and information studies education in Aberystwyth, Wales. Background on the establishment of the College of Librarianship Wales (CLW); Achievements of the CLW; Details on the 40th year celebration of the CLW.

Chronicles the history of the Kurrachee General Library in Karachi, Pakistan. Factors that gave rise to the library; Management of the library during the British occupation of the country; Significance of the library to the Karachi community.

This article highlights a project conducted at the Washingtoniana Division, D.C. Public Library to improve collections security for unique materials. As part of planning for these improvements, staff conducted a survey of similar public library settings and their special-collections practices. Seventy-three surveys were sent to U.S. public libraries, and 47 were completed and returned. Results showed a wide variation in practices, but common concerns included balancing open access with special-collections limitations, and with working with public library communities and users. An appendix details the survey results. The authors contend that special collections in public libraries differ from those in private and/or academic libraries because public library collections must address the mandate for open access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge and cultural heritage is found in the shape of printed materials i.e. books and periodicals. It is necessary to keep this material in such a way so that it may be transferred to the generations to come. Every thing at this universe has a certain life. In case of books and periodicals it is possible to prolong their useful life by applying different preservation procedures. In this article the enemies of printed material and their effect on it are discussed. Emphasis is given on the need for preservation of printed materials and the decisions to be taken by the library administrators for application of preservation procedures. The expert opinion regarding different aspects of preservation are collected from relevant literature and combined together. In the concluding paragraphs steps necessary to be taken by the libraries for the protection of printed material are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the electronic book usage in public libraries of Great Britain. The author reports on one aspect of a Laser Foundation-funded research project that tested different models of e-book delivery and offered guide- lines for developing e-book collections in public libraries. Public library provision of e-book software and hardware devices has not become widespread, although there has been a degree of experimentation in e-book collection development. One of the most important challenges when implementing any new service or collection, especially one as fraught as e-books with technical and cultural issues, is creating an enthusiastic staff base. The staff involved with e-book collections proved to be enthusiastic and willing to negotiate the challenges of new technology, and proved especially creative in seeking out opportunities for including different types of users in the project. The questionnaire results demonstrate that most enjoyed trialing e-books even where users noted serious concerns about the hardware being used, generally in regard to screen size and battery life.

The objectives of this paper are: (i) to illustrate the use of e-books by health studies students at a college of higher education; (ii) to provide a demonstration of how e-books may be facilitated by library and information services staff working across the health and academic sectors; (iii) to comment upon the experiences of health studies students, in using e-books. A focus group of 10 student midwives was used to gain insight into how e-books may be used in an academic context for health professionals. The findings of the student midwives’ focus group are reported and discussed. In this instance, the student midwives were encouraged to use e-books as part of a structured information skills programme. The paper concentrates on how the e-books were used within this context and addresses the potential benefits and disadvantages from a student perspective. The results provide evidence of a largely positive experience of using e-books as an electronic information resource. The focus group reveals many benefits and advantages in the facilitation and use of e-books, as well as addressing areas for development. It is concluded that e-books have a place in health library and information resources, but further development of e-books and e-book collections is required and subsequent investigation into their most effective use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]