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Library science is getting harder to teach. The variety in libraries of all types is increasing as more and more mold themselves to their communities rather than field-wide norms. How can library science education change to meet the new variety, and the variety in a post-neutrality world? The author proposes new metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of LIS programs: Agility--What ongoing methods are in place to identify, evaluate, and prepare students for developments in a rapidly changing profession? Connectedness--Who are the partners networked with the program and its faculty to ensure direct connection of the classroom to the field? Embeddedness--What is the program's ability to deliver authentic field experiences to students that allow them to contextualize theory and research methods? Resilience--How prepared are librarians to face, understand (i.e., analyze), and solve the problems in a community in line with the professional mission and values of librarianship?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

À partir de son expérience personnelle, l'auteur décrit l'impact du contexte sur le processus d'apprentissage, - et fait le -lien avec - les bibliothèques,: des lieux d'apprentissage importants. Il explique comment celles-ci peuvent mieux répondre aux besoins de -publics différents en les associant étroitement à la bibliothèque, en faisant appel aux notions - de «communauté» et de «conversation ». Il donne- des exemples de bibliothèques - ayant réussi à y parvenir. Based on his personal, experience,: the author describes the contextual impact on the learning process and its. link: to libraries as important learning places. He explains how they can better meetthe needs of different patrons by associating them inextricably to the library, while calling upon the notions of "community" and of "conversation". He offers.examples of libraries having succeeded in better serving their community!. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an initial discussion of the ethics of librarianship from the vantage of participatory librarianship. Participatory librarianship is an emergent approach to the profession grounded in conversation theory which states knowledge is created through conversation and libraries, being in the knowledge business, are centrally concerned with conversation. This foundation challenges the notion that any person can be without bias, and that ultimately, all ethics of the profession must be viewed relative to the ultimate goal of service. In this context librarians must be acutely aware of their ethical stances and be active in how those ethical stances impact the community they are situated within. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the technology brief is to familiarize library decision-makers with the opportunities and challenges of participatory networks. In order to accomplish this goal the brief is divided into four sections (excluding an overview and a detailed statement of goal): ∎ a conceptual framework for understanding and evaluating participatory networks; ∎ a discussion of key concepts and technologies in participatory networks drawn primarily from Web 2.0 and Library 2.0; ∎ a merging of the conceptual framework with the technological discussion to present a roadmap for library systems development; and ∎ a set of recommendations to foster greater discussion and action on the topic of participatory networks and, more broadly, participatory librarianship. This summary will highlight the discussions in each of these four topics. For consistency, the section numbers and titles from the full brief are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Library is not just an information distributing machine and reading not its steam as the paradigm of the industrial age has seen it. Even the conception of the Library as Information Agency established in the 20th century does not meet any more the needs of our communities. In the age of data’ism the Library is not about Information as a thing and neutral IT infrastructures. It needs a more critical world view. Instead of data and information a new library science should focus on knowledge and knowing. The communities library serve are the true collections; librarians the weavers of community narratives and understandings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article recognizes the importance of innovation in the library and the university in the U.S. Topics discussed include the development of innovative programs at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, the contribution of innovation to the advancement of teaching and learning, and the role of student affairs professionals in the promotion of innovation. Also mentioned is a venue provided by the journal "College & Research Libraries" for many studies of innovation in academic libraries.

During a program titled "Libraries and Museums in an Era of Participatory Culture," co-sponsored by the Salzburg Global Seminar (SGS) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), one of the discussion groups developed recommendations for skills needed by librarians and museum professionals in today's connected and participatory world. The group focused on the concepts, knowledge, and processes that both librarians and museum professionals need to understand and know, realizing that participatory culture has ramifications both for traditional functions and emerging skills. The initial framework was an overview. This paper expands on the work started in Salzburg and calls for further discussion. By opening the conversation to the library and museum worlds, it is proposed that the two systems of education and continuing education will experience positive and possibly unexpected synergistic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the debate over whether libraries are obsolete held as part of the Harvard Library Strategic Conversations. Those who claim that libraries are obsolete have argued that this is so because libraries act as institutions of remediation, but in the 21st century, the deficiencies libraries are trying to fill no longer exist. The author argues that libraries are not obsolete because they are still needed to fix the education system, the economy and the world's democracies.

The article looks at the function and motivation of the modern day school librarian and suggests that more focus should be placed on learning, knowledge, and community rather than library collections and artifacts. The author attempts to find the true meaning of "knowledge" and apply it to the responsibilities of school librarians. School librarians, the article states, become facilitators of knowledge through the services provided in the library with the ultimate goal being the improvement of community and society.

Purpose - This paper seeks to understand how users determine credibility in the internet environment from a conceptual level and the implications of these new methods of credibility determination on internet tools (primarily software) and services. Design/methodology/approach - The author first examines the underlying reasons for increased dependence on the internet for information, using electronic commerce as a starting point. The central concept of "information self-sufficiency" is introduced and then examined through the lens of the internet and conversation theory. Findings - The author finds that users are shifting from more traditional "authority" methods of credibility determination, where users cede determinations to trusted third parties, to a "reliability" approach where users seek commonalities and coherence among multiple information sources. This has led to an increased pressure for participation and openness at all levels of the internet. Research limitations/implications - Studies on users and credibility must better account for often invisible technical factors. Practical implications - Libraries must take into account a greater need for participation and technical fluency when dealing with patrons, particularly in information literacy programs and instruction. Originality/value - This paper presents a large-scale conceptual approach to credibility on the internet. It seeks to inform current approaches to the subject nested in communications and instruction with the unique technical environment of the internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the growing importance, challenges, and opportunities of massive scale computing as they relate to libraries. Massive-scale computing is defined as the predictable widescale availability of computing power, storage, and network speeds at immense levels. The author argues that libraries must help shape the emerging world of nearly unlimited computing capacity, and outlines an approach to library service in such an environment: participatory librarianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information concerning the use of virtual reference services (VRS) for libraries, as well as the introduction of a series of assertions and questions acknowledging that the foundation of reference is a conversation for learning, in the U.S. The author infers that over several years an intensive effort has been underway to better understand reinvent reference in a digital age. Even in the settings of a virtual reference cooperative that used referral systems, the fundamental content-loaded process was seen as one librarian and one patron.

Introduction. The paper presents a metascale framework for libraries based upon conversation theory, and the basic concept that knowledge is created through conversation. Since libraries are in the knowledge business, they are also in the conversation business. Method. The basic tenets of conversation theory are discussed, then used to examine the current state of libraries, particularly online library systems and so-called Web 2.0 concepts. Analysis. The paper presents an anticipated trajectory of library system development towards a truly "participatory" library where library systems merge, and library patrons are part of the system development process. Results. The results of the paper are a series of recommendations and approaches to libraries as conversation. Conclusion. The authors recommend the creation of a shared participatory test bed for libraries. This network would not only experiment with new collaborative Web technologies, but also work with library organizations and vendors to speed innovation in traditional library systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the valuable offerings of librarians in the digital age is the human intermediation of information needs. In physical libraries, these reference questions are answered, and few artifacts remain from the transaction; therefore, the knowledge created through the work of the librarian leaves with the patron. Due to the medium of communication, digital reference transactions capture the knowledge of information professionals. There are hundreds of digital reference services generating knowledge every day; however, the lack of a schema for archiving reference transactions from multiple services makes it difficult to create a fielded, searchable knowledge base. The development of such a schema would allow researchers to develop tools that practitioners can employ. In turn, this would create a collaborative environment for digital reference evaluation. The goal of this work is to outline the steps needed to develop this schema, present the results of a survey of digital reference services, explore some of the pitfalls in the process, and envision the future uses of this Digital Reference Electronic Warehouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the Digital Reference Research agenda developed as a result of a three-day symposium at Harvard University. It shows how the research agenda ties directly to digital reference and library practice and argues that research and practice must connect on a meaningful level in order to prevent unusable research and untestable practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research agenda for the study of digital reference is presented. The agenda stems from a research symposium held at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts in August 2002. The agenda defines digital reference as "the use of human intermediation to answer questions in a digital environment." The agenda also proposes the central research question in digital reference: "How can human expertise be effectively and efficiently incorporated into information systems to answer user questions?" The definition and question are used to outline a research agenda centered on how the exploration of digital reference relates to other fields of inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the fallacy that real-time and asynchronous digital reference software are fundamentally different. Instead the author argues that the only real difference is lag time, and that this difference does not support the separation of digital reference functions. An attempt is made to create a unified model for digital reference and digital reference functions. Lastly, the author presents some practical considerations for libraries seeking to purchase digital reference software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on work from two studies in progress related to assessing digital library reference services and developing standards that support such services. The paper suggests that two types of standards--utilization and technical--should be considered together in the costing, statistics, and measures for digital reference services. The digital reference community has the opportunity to embed quality standards and assessment data into software and infrastructure by linking utilization and technical standards early in the evolution of digital reference markets. Such an approach would greatly enhance the collection and analysis of a range of cost data related to digital reference service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that used data from AskERIC digital reference service to demonstrate the usefulness of asynchronous services than real-time systems. Details on AskERIC, a personalized Internet-based service providing education information; Methodology used in the study; Importance of real time related to users' perception of timeliness and overall satisfaction.

Outlines some of the ideas on how reference and users services will function in digital environment as its relates to K-12 digital reference service. Discussion on the K-12 digital reference service; Impact of the Internet on reference service; Advent of digital libraries; Changing roles of reference librarians.

The Internet has brought libraries to a crossroads. The nature of collection, service, and information organization is changing rapidly. There is considerable anxiety about changing roles and responsibilities in this new digital environment. While a great deal of research and development is occurring in both collection development (such as NSF's Digital Library Initiatives) and information organization (metadata), little attention has been paid to how reference and user services will function in this new digital environment. This article outlines some of the thinking in this area as it relates to K-12 digital reference services. These services answer thousands of questions every week and have addressed many issues involved in providing human-intermediated information and referral services via the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces several articles concerning the growing use of digital reference published in the 2000 issue of the `Reference & User Services Quarterly.' Creation of a digital reference consortium; Examination of the reference interview in the emergence of the Internet.

This article describes a Delphi study conducted to determine factors that affect the process of routing and assigning reference questions received electronically by digital reference services, both to experts within the service and between services. Fifteen factors were determined, by expert consensus, to be important at the conclusion of this study. These fifteen factors are divided into three groups: (1) general factors, (2) factors when routing the question to an individual, and (3) factors when routing the question to another service. These factors were ranked in order of importance and grouped according to the recipient of the question. These fifteen factors need to be taken into account when automating the triage process. This article has laid out a methodology for investigating other digital reference processes so that those processes amenable to automation may be automated, and experts' talents and time may be best used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Assessing Quality in Digital Reference project is a first step toward understanding the cost of digital reference services in libraries. This article presents three measures isolated by project participants as being most useful for their immediate needs: total cost of providing digital reference service, the cost of digital reference service as a percent of the total reference budget, and the cost of reference as a percent of the total library or organizational budget. In addition, it reviews selected outstanding issues in the ongoing question of how to determine the cost of reference services in libraries and offers direction for further study toward a general cost model for information services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large, collaboratively managed datasets have become essential to many scientific and engineering endeavors, and their management has increased the need for "eScience Professionals" who extend librarianship into solving large scale information manage- ment problems for researchers and engineers. This article focuses on understanding the dimensions of work, worker, and workplace, including the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for eScience professionals. We used focus groups and interviews to explore the needs of scientific researchers and how these needs may translate into curricular and program development choices. A cohort of five master's students also worked in targeted internship settings and completed internship logs. Results showed that students worked in three major areas: data management, communications between technical and non-technical staff, and science-related functions. We organized this evidence into a job analysis that can be used for curriculum and program development at schools of information and library science. We conclude with suggestions that the emerging eScience profession comprises a promising educational and research focus for information and library science in the coming decade and that science and R&D labs are an underappreciated setting for productive librarianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]