Special Libraries, Spring 1994

Volume 85, Issue 2https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1994/1001/thumbnail.jp

Use and Effectiveness of Using Electronic Indexes and Databases at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

This study assesses the current environment of electronic database services at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. User patterns, reactions to the new service, "Subject Listings of Selected Electronic Indexes and Databases," level of satisfaction with electronic databases and training/instruction program issues are presented based on a survey of selected UNC users. The results reveal that users are moderately satisfied with the current electronic services. Several interesting facts were found through this research. More than 70% of the survey respondents would like to have an instruction/training program. Online screen help is the most desired type of training indicated by those surveyed. Still, a majority of users (43%) are seeking the help of reference librarians. In addition, finding the appropriate database is mentioned by users as the biggest issue in the area of research. Finally, the findings of this study emphasize and challenge the role of the reference librarians as an information manager as well as an educator

Access to Digital Libraries for Disadvantaged Users

Digital libraries, designed to serve people and their information needs in the same way as traditional libraries, present distinct advantages over brick and mortar facilities: elimination of physical boundaries, round-the-clock access to information, multiple access points, networking abilities, and extended search functions. As a result, they should be especially well-suited for the disadvantaged. However, minorities, those affected by lower income and education status, persons living in rural areas, the physically disabled, and developing countries as a whole consistently suffer from a lack of accessibility to digital libraries. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and relevance of digital libraries currently in place and discusses what could and should be done to improve accessibility to digital libraries for the disadvantaged

Leading change in information management

Introducing and leading change in any field is a difficult and complex task with no mapped path or certain route that guarantees success. Working in a public and administrative institution rarely offers opportunities for introducing and leading creative and innovative changes. However, my work on various information management tasks gave me a chance to lead change in a number of international organizations for which I worked, discovering new or improved information solutions, products and services. In retrospect, leading change in information management was a sine qua non of my long career and is a major focus of this Context Statement. This Context Statement offers a review of my own public works and achievements during my long professional career in information management. It concentrates on four public works, describing them in chronological order. It defines main influencers, theories, concepts and people that made the greatest impact on my career; evaluates the work performed, the technology used, the results achieved, and the lessons learned. The Context Statement also offers a thematic review of my public works, putting them in the perspective of the dramatically changed world of information management, the global impact of information, the democratisation of scientific and technical information, and the information ethics. The Context Statement concludes that, if we - the information managers - do not lead change and instigate constant innovation and modernization of our field, we will become museum custodians, instead of a leading avant-garde in today’s knowledge economy and the information world in which we live

Special Libraries, Fall 1996

Volume 87, Issue 4https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1996/1003/thumbnail.jp