In George Bobinski's sixty-year career as a library professional (1945 - 2005), libraries underwent massive changes and epochal advancements. In this important work, Bobinski summarizes the major trends and events that have transformed the library world and the profession of librarianship into what it is today. Libraries and Librarianship begins with a historical review of the core of librarianship, focusing on the information formats available in or through libraries; the organization of library information sources; changes in reference service; trends in library management; and the all-embracing impact of technology on libraries. Bobinski also addresses library types and the growth of library cooperation and resource sharing; the spread of collaboration through library systems, consortia, and networks; federal funding, library philanthropy, and the important role of the Council on Library and Information Resources since its establishment in 1956; the growth and activities of professional library associations; the shifting roles of gender and ethnicity; and the changes in library buildings. Furthermore, a list of eminent individuals who had the greatest impact on the field during this period and influenced the dramatic changes that have taken place in library and information science education is included. Concluding with a discussion of the major developments in the field and providing a look into what the future might hold for libraries, this book will be embraced by library students, practitioners, and professors alike.

This book covers aspects of the political environment which surrounds and engages libraries and their librarians. It includes anecdotes on the role of the political sphere in the business of library associations. - Provides recent stories and real examples of: The various political contexts under which libraries operate - Why it is important to be politically aware - How political climates influence decision making for libraries

A smart library is an information center with networks of many libraries and their services in a larger informational ecosystem around the globe. The Libraries are adding new, digital resources and services while maintaining most of the old, traditional resources and services. Now the role of libraries, information services, the relationship between a library and users is changing significantly. Traditional services of a library are modified and enhanced in an online environment. The proposed book emphasizes the importance for a library to be flexible to changing needs and to adopt new technologies rapidly. With the emergence of new technologies, the traditional library, acting as a medium for sharing information, needs an integral refinement in its processes. This transformation will bring in efficiency and minimize human error in the processes with the help of smart gates, material location finders, and smart check-out booths to automate the processes of controlling access, locating items as well as issuing/returning of materials. The smart library focuses on the use of technology in a library and is designed to be a very collaborative learning environment, where participants are encouraged to contribute ideas and information. Smart library improves traditional and non-traditional library services, improve users' library experience and enhance opportunities for students learning. Libraries are facing increased expectations from users, and challenges of developing technologies including Web 2.0, Web 3.0, ebooks, digitations, and a problem of archiving digital content. Webbased technology provides users and information professionals with powerful and flexible tools for information dissemination.

A History of Medical Libraries and Librarianship in the United States: From John Shaw Billingsto the Digital Era presents a history of the profession from the beginnings of the Army Surgeon General’s Library in 1836 to today’s era of the digital health sciences library. The purpose of this book is not only to make this history available to the profession’s practitioners, but also to provide context as medical librarians and libraries enter a new age in their history as the digital information environment has undercut the medical library’s previous role as the depository of the print based KBI/information base. The book divides the profession’s history is divided into seven eras: 1. The Era of the Library of the Office of the Army Surgeon General and John Shaw Billings – 1836 – 1898 2. The Era of the Gentleman Physician Librarian – 1898 to 1945 3. The Era of the Development of the Clinical Research Infrastructure (NIH), the Rapid Expansion in Funded and Published Clinical Research and the Emergence of Medical Librarianship as a Profession – 1945 – 1962 4. The Era of the Development of the National Library of Medicine, Online digital Subject Searching (Medline) and the Creation of the National Health Science Library Infrastructure– 1962 – 1975 5. The Medline Era – A Golden Age for Medical Libraries – 1975 – 1995 6. The Era of Universal Access to Information and the Transition from Paper to Digitally Based Medical Libraries – 1995 – 2015 7. The Era of the Digital Health Sciences Library – 2015 – Each era is reviewed through discussing the developments in the field and the factors which drove those developments. The book will provide current and future medical librarians and information specialists an understanding of the development of their profession and some insights into its future.

In the last two decades, advancement in technology has transformed every aspect of librarianship. Law Librarianship in Academic Law Libraries discusses issues and model practices in academic law libraries. This text will help librarians and library school students understand the operation, resources and facilities that are available in the academic law library. It explains the practices and trends that are widely practiced in different parts of the world. This book describes the expectations of an aspiring professional with an interest in specializing in law librarianship; revealing facts pertaining to management and administration which are not necessarily taught in library schools. The first chapter introduces the history of academic law libraries, and defines law librarianship. The remaining chapters are dedicated to different aspects of law librarianship including the importance of emerging technologies and how they are implemented in the academic law libraries setting, finishing with a concluding chapter on global opportunities available for law librarians. - Provides an insight to academic law librarianship practices - Practical tips on building a career in academic law librarianship - Describes in detail the education and professional development opportunities for academic law librarianship - Features customized classification schemes that have been used in academic law libraries

What are the library services and resources that Asian Pacific Americans need? What does it mean to be an Asian Pacific American librarian in the 21st century? In Asian American Librarians and Library Services: Activism, Collaborations, and Strategies, library professionals and scholars share reflections, best practices, and strategies, and convey the critical need for diversity in the LIS field, library programming, and resources to better reflect the rich and varied experiences and information needs of Asian Americans in the US and beyond. The contributors show that they care deeply about diversity, that they acknowledge that it is painfully lacking in so many aspects of libraries and librarianship, and that libraries and the LIS profession must systematically integrate diversity and inclusion into their strategic priorities and practices, indeed, in their very mission, such that the rich diversity of experiences and histories of Asian Americans in library and archival collections, services, and programming are not only validated and recognized, but also valued and celebrated as vital components of the shared American experience. The volume recognizes and honors the creative and intentional work librarians do for their constituent Asian American communities in promoting resources, services, and outreach.

Public Librarianship and Glorious Heritage of Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Library (Reading Hall): Plan for Renovation and Development

How librarians can be radical positive change agents in their communities, dedicated to learning and making a difference. This book offers a guide for librarians who see their profession as a chance to make a positive difference in their communities—librarians who recognize that it is no longer enough to stand behind a desk waiting to serve. R. David Lankes, author of The Atlas of New Librarianship, reminds librarians of their mission: to improve society by facilitating knowledge creation in their communities. In this book, he provides tools, arguments, resources, and ideas for fulfilling this mission. Librarians will be prepared to become radical positive change agents in their communities, and other readers will learn to understand libraries in a new way. The librarians of Ferguson, Missouri, famously became positive change agents in August 2014 when they opened library doors when schools were closed because of civil unrest after the shooting of an unarmed teen by police. Working with other local organizations, they provided children and their parents a space for learning, lunch, and peace. But other libraries serve other communities—students, faculty, scholars, law firms—in other ways. All libraries are about community, writes Lankes; that is just librarianship. In concise chapters, Lankes addresses the mission of libraries and explains what constitutes a library. He offers practical advice for librarian training; provides teaching notes for each chapter; and answers “Frequently Argued Questions” about the new librarianship.