Discusses the career choices of library assistants based on personal reflections, including reasons for staying in a support staff position; membership in library professional associations; attitudes of librarians and library directors toward library assistants; and the need for professional development opportunities for library assistants. (LRW)

Reviews the history of affirmative action programs in higher education, and discusses problems in recruiting minority faculty members for library schools. It is suggested that library schools can increase the available pool of minority faculty through mentoring programs and the use of faculty networks. (17 references) (LAE)

Discusses the role of history within the discipline of library and information studies. Topics addressed include steps in the historical method, i.e., research, source criticism, and synthesis; the interdisciplinary nature of the history of books; analytical bibliography; and the design and aesthetics of information, including print and electronic…

Presents arguments for the importance of a historical approach in the library and information science curriculum. Highlights include learning from past mistakes; understanding the reason for successful ventures; censorship and intellectual freedom; professional identity; and integrating historical background into each course. (Contains five…

Discusses the importance of historical studies for librarians and how knowledge of the past contributes to the research base. Social science and historical perspectives on library research are considered; and hypothesis testing, the study of causality, and the history of information practices are examined. (Contains eight references.) (LRW)

Presents the reflections of a designer of visual interfaces for online public access catalogs regarding the importance of a historical perspective for design practices. Topics discussed include cognitive psychology research; conventions for organizing information; and the ongoing process of changes in media. (LRW)

Discussion of cultural diversity and the significance of ethnicity, race, and race relations in the workplace focuses on the need to recruit library school faculty and students from diverse backgrounds. Highlights include racism; minority faculty; retaining and recruiting minority students; funding; and future possibilities. (Contains 12…

Based on a session at the 1990 annual conference of the American Society for Information Science (ASIS), this issue presents 14 articles that discuss innovations in curriculum and instructional methods in information science and how to share them internationally, especially with developing countries. Highlights include distance education and the…

Research in human computer interaction and instructional design can provide insights into effective methods for training microcomputer users. Suggestions include utilizing error recognition and recovery, development of mental models, simplification of documentation, and using cognitive approaches that allow transfer of knowledge to new situations.…

Discusses the changing library environment, with greater reliance on technology; and describes relevant skills for librarians, including communicating with nonlibrarians, working with group processes, understanding the capabilities of information-handling technologies, and developing management and marketing abilities. (21 references) (EA)

Discusses factors influencing the survival of library schools and how innovation of curricular changes to expand programs and incorporate technologies affects continued feasibility. Findings indicate that public governance, bureaucratic entrenchment, institutional age, and moderation in innovation positively affect survival. (23 references) (EA)

Identifies multilingual and multicultural issues relevant to library and information science curricula today and outlines the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed by graduates to address these issues. Aspects of the curriculum, specific programs, and activities on which to focus are discussed. (13 references) (EA)

Discusses the trends in multiculturalism research, the importance of cultural diversity in the curriculum, and strategies for operationalizing a multicultural curriculum in library and information science education. Topics addressed include pedagogical methodology, leaning style, and course and program design. (97 references) (EA)

States that schools of library and information science should reaffirm their commitment to increasing minority access to the profession by adopting a comprehensive program for the recruitment of minorities. Strategies for developing an effective recruitment plan are outlined, and the benefits and goals of mentoring are discussed. (seven…

Discussion of recruitment and education goals for international students in U.S. library and information science programs covers intercultural communication, goals of prospective students, programs' self-interest as a barrier to education, the market for international education, suggested philosophical guidelines for recruiting, and recruitment…