Search

Presents four women librarians in the United States and their emerging roles in managing automated information. Search for representative librarians via online computer network and their response; Initial experiences of the women in handling high-technology tools in managing libraries; Publishing and administrative experiences; Trend of reskilling and reprofessionalizing in librarianship.

Discusses how Internet filters work for the benefit of United States-based school libraries. Description of Internet filters; Mechanism of keyword blocking; Information on site blocking; Background information on protocol blocking; Significance of time blocking. INSET: 5 filters on the market.

Discusses outsourcing of some activities and services by libraries in the United States. Concerns over relinquishing control of services or information; Differences between libraries and bookstores; Savings provided by outsourcing; Specific libraries' efforts to outsource; Standards of expectation.

Looks at the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for libraries and librarians in the country. Effect of the CIPA decision on free speech of adult library users; Limitations of filtering software to block access to protected speech; Impact on intellectual freedom.

Discusses the federal e-rate subsidy program in the United States. The ultimate result of the program; The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) efforts to develop e-rate; Librarian's overall opinions on e-rate; Paperwork involved in e-rate; Suggested problem with e-rate; Suggestions from the author on e-rate; Other information.

Highlights three librarians, their electronic information projects on the Internet and their innovations.

Presents the opinion of the author about the survival of the Librarians' Index to the Internet during a time in which corporate enterprises failed. Speculation about what would happen to the Web site if it ran out of funding; Opinion that too many people do not understand that library services are not free; Description of how libraries have had to deal with budget cuts; Speculation about budget cuts in 2003 and 2004.

Focuses on the joy of electronic library service, according to several librarians in the U.S. Idea that service to the underserved is a special joy as Marian H. Griffin of West Melbourne Public Library in Florida indicated; Comment of Kelly Martinez of Hermiston Public Library in Oregon about families using the library; Rationale of the Kalamazoo Public Library in Michigan for downloading audio books; Others.

Discusses a project called Fiat Lux, a nonprofit cooperative founded by the librarians who manage Internet finding aids. Benefits of collaboration in building library systems and consortia; History of library-built portals, including the service of the Michigan Electronic Library; Outlook for Fiat Lux, which represents an Internet collection of over 110,000 records and the participation of 280 skilled librarians and information professionals.

Contends that librarians can be true patriots by protecting the U.S. Constitution and the people they serve. Thoughts on the USA Patriot Act and why it is anti-speech legislation; How the Patriot Act gives the government broader powers; Belief that libraries should tell patrons about the potential for seizure of confidential information; The conflicting concerns over national security and civil rights since the September 11, 2001 attacks; What librarians need to do.

Examines how librarians responded in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Role of librarians in delivering information and interacting with patrons; Why libraries are about communities; How librarians saw their service as a direct response to the attacks; Librarians as listeners; Focus on sharing.

Presents winners of the Internet Librarian Pied Piper Awards, which honors a person, place or thing that deserves special recognition for contributions to Internet librarianship. Projects of Eric Lease Morgan, network technologies development librarian at North Carolina State University in Raleigh; Contributions of Gates Public Library in Rochester, New York; Efforts of the Regional Institutes held by the American Library Association's Library and Information Technology Association.

Focuses on the effect on libraries of the Children's Internet Protection Act, legislation in the United States which requires libraries and schools that receive federal funding for Internet access to install filtering software. Integral role of technology and telecommunications in access to library information resources; Problems which the filtering legislation could create for library consortiums; Criticism of the role of the federal government in library funding and policy decisions.

Focuses on the perceived attack on librarians and the Library Bill of Rights by the American Family Association (AFA). Mention of 'Excess Access,' a video produced by the AFA, which deals with the availability of Internet pornography through library Internet access; Opinion that 'Excess Access' portrays librarians as wickedly devious and mindless puppets; Opinion of David Burt, a former so-called filtering activist, that librarians use library doctrine to mislead the public.

Discusses a meeting with Internet filtering companies and the United States Commission on the Child Online Protection Act. Criticism of the filtering companies' disclosure policy which blocks anyone outside their company form knowing which web sites their filters block; Opinion that filters can not be unbiased because of differing views of what is offensive material; Suggestion that filtering devices inhibit free speech and should not be used.

Discusses practical uses for wireless Internet technology in United States libraries. Advantages of the affordable installation and convenience of wireless service; Technology-based library outreach services; The use of wireless technology in mobile libraries.

Comments on e-mail reference in libraries in the United States. Why e-mail references are useful; The author's preference for e-mail rather than telephone references; Books that help librarians plan the service such as `Rethinking Reference,' by Elizabeth Thomsen; Suggestion for resources offering clip art and list of libraries providing e-mail reference.

Presents information on the American Library Association Annual Conference of Muncie, Indiana Public Library's Cybermobile, a bookmobile with Internet workstations. Their commitment to Internet public access; Cybermobile demonstrating the library's creative use of wireless communications; Mobile wireless communications at other libraries.

Discusses a project, led by Gary Handman at the University of California at Berkley, to put audio and video files online. His belief in the resources delivered in terms of access for users and value of content; The risks and opportunities in the project; Point of contact.

Discusses the use of Internet information services in 1998. Predictions of increased user fees; Effects of commercialization; Changes in soft and hardware for libraries; Possible decreases in public use of Internet resources through libraries.

Reports on the large amount of confusion among United States librarians regarding telecommunications discounts provided for in the Telecommunications act of 1996. The desire to know whether all the time invested in applying for the discounts will be worth it; Details of the difficult application process.

Profiles the Everglades Digital Library (EDL). How and why Gail Clement created EDL; Primary funding for EDL coming from the National Park Service and the Everglades National Park; The need for digital libraries; How Clement learned about digital libraries.

Describes a program for children and the Internet offered by the Canton (Mich.) Public Library. Components of the program; Factors contributing to the program's success; Physical arrangement of the program space; Internet contact point for a photo tour.

Presents several Web sites of interest to librarians, as of December 1, 1996. Santa sites; Jingle bells-and-whistles.

Looks at the use of the Internet by librarians to communicate with one another. The advantages of e-mail; Online databases such as Cadet Hand Library and One Man Bands Group.

Discusses several aspects of the Z39.50 ANSI standard for information retrieval. The Library of Congress as the official maintenance agency of Z39.50; The importance of the explain feature; Questions to ask in order to be a smarter shopper; Tips on how to try it out before purchasing it; Recommendation of the pamphlet `A Guide to the ANSI/Z39.50 Protocol,' by William E. Moen.

Shows how librarians are using new technologies to develop or collaborate on community networks. How the community networks are integrating the libraries more tightly into the community organism; Examples of roles and relationships libraries are carving out; Seattle Public Library; The Seattle Community Network; Other examples.