Showing papers on "Resource Description and Access published in 1984"

User Perspective on a New Paradigm for Librarianship

Abstract: Myths surrounding libraries often fix the limits of the possible, sometimes to the disadvantage of the user. The centrality of the library to the academic community is questioned due to the insistence of librarians on the independent status of the library and the failure of bibliographic instruction programs to make the issue of critical thinking a top priority. A new paradigm is necessary to move libraries from their passive stance to a proactive orientation. This paradigm requires greater sensitivity to and identification with the needs of library users.

Departmental Evaluation and Maintenance of the Library Sociology Collection.

Abstract: development of library sociology collections. It is argued herein that the sociology resources housed in the campus library potentially offer valuable support for a department's instructional efforts. However, these resources must be reviewed and developed systematically if they are to be truly effective pedagogical tools. A stepwise plan for carrying out such a review is outlined with suggestions offeredfor improving the ongoing collection efforts of the department.

The Academic Library Nexus.

Abstract: his talk might be considered about documents and their availability. But its topic is really the relationship between data and the recipient, and the librqry and its institutional information systems. We need to keep in mind that information is not a property of documents, or of bibliographic records, but the relationship between data and the recipient. Increasingly, the burden and the responsibility of libraries in the Information Age is to deal with that relationship. In her letter of invitation, Lynch proposed that I share with you my vision of the future role of academic libraries. In the course of preparing for this lecture, perhaps in a vain effort to improve my vision, I ran across an anecdote about Winston Churchill that says nearly all I have to say about the future of libraries. After World War II and his stint as prime minister, Winston Churchill was invited to give the commencement address at his old school, Harrow, and decided he ought to oblige. So he went, weathered a lengthy and laudatory introduction, got to his feet and said to the graduating class, "Nevah give up!" and sat down. 1 I would emulate Mr. Churchill, but I, alas, was asked for a lecture, not an address. An address, according to the current edition of the Random House College Dictionary, is "a statement." A lecture, on the other hand, is a II discourse read . . . especially for instruction or to set forth some subject." If I were more like Winston Churchill, I would say that the future role of academic libraries is what we are prepared to make of it in the next three to five years and sit down. As I have few of his talents, for the next thirty minutes you will hear some more or less connected thoughts about the deinstitutionalization of libraries and what we might do in the next three to five years to shape the future role of academic research libraries. I plan to draw examples from the sdences, including medicine, because of their greater intensity of experimentation and change in information management. But I hope you will look beyond the particulars to the essence, to the application of the principles and concepts to your setting and specialty. Also let me insert here a caveat about the remarks to follow. These opinions do not in any way, directly or indirectly, reflect any thinking or planning within the National Library of Medicine with respect to the present or future roles of libraries generally, or itself particularly, as a national library. On the other hand, the National Library of Medicine is committed to supporting the development of at least four prototype integrated academic information management systems based on the concepts and principles described in the report prepared by the Association of American Medical Colleges titled, Academic Infonnation in the Academic Health Sciences Center. 2 Through its grant program, it is also strongly encouraging research and development of a variety of efforts to bring about a paradigm change in the roles of libraries in health information dissemination and management. It is important to know that the interdisciplinary committee, whose thinking formed the basis of that AAMC report, had in mind no single vision and no single model. Neither the length of the path, the

Online Catalogs: Issues and Concerns.

Abstract: This document explores the various issues and concerns related to the development of online systems in libraries and, in particular, online catalogs. Following a preface, foreword, and introduction, chapters are devoted to each of the following topics: (1) providing for special interests including, the disabled; (2) authority control; (3) subject access; (4) retrospective conversion; (5) resource sharing; (6) standards; and (7) education. The document is intended to help those who are involved in online catalog design, implementation, and use by making them more aware: (1) of the issues; (2.) of the current activity related to them; and (3) of the consequences of that activity on the library profession, on the services provided to library users, and on the profession, on the services provided to library users, and on the library as an institution. A list of acronyms and a subject bibliography are included. (THC) ****************************t****************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** DEPANTIMENT OF EDUCATION NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION red EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION .CENTER IERICI x Ths document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization r%el originating it Minor changes have been made to Improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinionsstated in this doomrnent do not necessanty represent official NIE