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IN THIS DOCUMENT:

Sci -Tech Libraries Section Standing Committee Roster for 1997-1999

Sci-Tech Section Members

Report From Amsterdam

65th IFLA Council and General Conference 20-28 August 1999, Bangkok

Future Conferences

Medium Term Programme 1998-2001

Sci-Tech Listserv

Ross Shimmon, IFLA's New Secretary General

IFLA's Web Address

DIGLIB - Discussion List on Digital Libraries

SPARC - The Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition




Section of Science and Technology Libraries Newsletter

Spring 1999

This newsletter is published irregularly by IFLA's Section of Science and Technology Libraries and is distributed automatically to members of the Section. Others may receive it on request. This issue is edited by the Secretary of the Section:

    Dave Price,
    Bodleian Library,
    Radcliffe Science Library,
    Parks Road,
    Oxford OX1 3QP, U.K.
    Email: djp@bodley.ox.ac.uk

 

SCI-TECH SECTION MEMBERS

IFLA Headquarters reports that during 1998 Sci -Tech Section membership reached 121, an advance on 113 for 1997 and the largest membership for sections in the IFLA Division of Special Libraries. Members come from over forty countries on six continents.

 
 

SCI -TECH LIBRARIES SECTION STANDING COMMITTEE ROSTER FOR 1997-1999

Chair                    Patricia Yocum +        USA
Secretary                David Price             UK
Members                  Nancy Anderson *        USA
                        Oona Yang Dilebanye     Botswana
                        Diane Ebro *            USA
                        Alun Jenkins            UK
                        Martin Kesselman        USA
                        Donna McCool *          USA
                        Wolfgang Neubauer       Germany
                        M. Nordlander *         Sweden
                        Philippe Raccah *       France
                        Helga Schwarz *         Germany
                        Mette Stockmarr         Denmark
                        Dan Stoica              Romania
                        Andrei Zemskov          Russia
                        + reappointed    
                        * newly appointed    
                
Special Advisors David Bradbury          UK
                        Francine Masson         France
                        Dennis Shaw             UK
                
Corresponding Members    R. Gassol de Horowitz   Venezuela
                        Hong-Ying Xu            China

REPORT FROM AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam was the site of the 64th General Conference, held 16-21 August 1998. A total of 2,914 delegates and 174 accompanying persons attended, hailing from 112 different countries. The weather was unusually fine for Europe and complemented the warmth and beauty of this magical city. The Dutch Organizing Committee deserves congratulations for its achievement in making this conference so successful and enjoyable.

STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Sci-Tech Standing Committee met twice during the conference, on 15th and 21st August. The lengthy sessions dealt with many items of interest. The following were the most significant.

  • Detailed discussion of the program and workshop plans for the Bangkok conference (1999) and launching preliminary planning efforts for Jerusalem (2000) and Boston (2001). It was resolved that evaluation forms should be issued at future open sessions and that contact details of attendees should be collected.

  • Project Reports.
    • M. Kesselman reported on the project, Manual for Co-operation of Sci-Tech Libraries. It had developed into a website http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~martyk/ and was expected to be completed shortly.
    • With respect to the project, Needs Assessment of Sci-Tech Libraries in Less-Developed and Developing Countries, it was proposed that a Focus Group should be organized in Bangkok.

  • Reports on activities of related groups.

SCI-TECH SECTION OPEN SESSION

The Section's Open Session, "Changing the Culture of Libraries: The Impact of Electronics", was held on Tuesday 18 August. It was jointly sponsored with the Biological and Medical Libraries Section. Though well attended, it was unfortunate that simultaneous translation had not been provided and sad that the fourth paper by François Dupuigrenet Desroussiles could not be presented because of illness. English, French and German versions of Christine Baldwin and Soren Find's papers are available on the IFLA website, http://www.ifla.org. The following papers were presented:

Christine Baldwin (SuperJournal - UK),
"Electronic journal publishing: meeting user needs."
    Abstract:
    SuperJournal is a research collaboration between publishers and libraries in the UK focusing on the factors that will make electronic journals successful. The project research indicates that readers and authors want electronic access to journals, and they view the key benefits as time savings, convenience, wider circulation, and faster publication times. Ideally they want integrated services within a discipline offering a searchable database, a wide range of full text journals, and seamless linking among journals. This paper reviews the initiatives publishers are taking to develop electronic journals and integrated services, and suggests some of the emerging issues for librarians.

Jéróme Kalfon (Bibliothèque Universitaire Rene Descartes - Paris, France),
"Les non specialistes a la recherche d'information specialisée dans la domaine de la santé."

Soren Find (Information Services, Technical Knowledge Center & Library of Denmark),
"Changing the Culture - Job Design, Work Processes and Qualifications in the Hybrid Library."
    Abstract:
    This paper focus on the role of the staff in the process where the library is changing from the traditional paper based library towards the hybrid library. The experiences at The Technical Knowledge Center & Library of Denmark are described, especially in developing and implementing services based on electronic information and being a partner in developing new teaching and learning environments requires that a whole new set of qualifications has to be available inside the library.

Christine Baldwin and Soren Find's papers are being published in IFLA Journal.

SCI-TECH SECTION STUDY TOUR

Thirty-seven people joined this excursion comprising a train journey to Delft and a tour of the magnificent and fascinating new library of the Technical University of Delft. Staff there were most hospitable and gave generously of their time. Formal presentations were made describing operations, including the interesting DocuTrans project providing an email-based document delivery service. Many of us stayed on afterwards to see the sights of this historic town on the Schie Canal, founded in 1075.

65TH IFLA COUNCIL AND GENERAL CONFERENCE 20-28 AUGUST 1999, BANGKOK

The Conference theme is "Libraries as Gateways to an Enlightened World". It is proposed that "the international library community commit itself to meet the challenges of building a more enlightened world by focusing on the quality of its collection, contents and services, reaching out to all levels and groups of society, ensuring equitable access to knowledge, and strengthening its position in the dynamic global information market place."

A varied programme of social and cultural activities is planned. The delegates will have the opportunities to have a glimpse of Thai traditional everyday life, to meet and talk with their colleagues from other countries in an informal and pleasant atmosphere.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME SUMMARY

FRIDAY AUGUST 20 1999
    Morning:
    Professional Board
    Afternoon:
    Coordinating Boards, Divisions Executive Board

SATURDAY AUGUST 21 1999
    All day:
    Standing Committees and Executive Committees
    Afternoon:
    Caucuses (late)
    Evening:
    Reception for IFLA Officers (by invitation only)

SUNDAY AUGUST 22 1999
    Morning:
    Introduction to IFLA for Newcomers, Open Forums, Core Porgammes and UNESCO
    Afternoon:
    Council 1
    Evening:
    Exhibition Opening/Reception

MONDAY AUGUST 23 1999
    Morning:
    Division Open Forums, Section and Round Table Programme Sessions
    Afternoon:
    Opening Session followed by Plenary Session
    Evening:
    Gala Reception/Dinner and Cultural Performance

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 1999
    All day:
    Section and Round Table Programme Sessions,
    Midday:
    Guest lectures, Poster Sessions
    Evening:
    Library Receptions

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 1999
    All day:
    Section and Round Table Programme Sessions, Study Tours/Library Visits (1/2 day)
    Midday:
    Guest lectures, Poster Sessions
    Afternoon:
    Professional Board

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 1999
    All day:
    Workshops/Seminars
    Study Tours/ Library Visits (1/2 day)
    Afternoon:
    Standing Committees (late)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 1999
    All day:
    Section and Round Table Programme Sessions
    Standing Committees, Coordinating Boards, Divisions
    Midday:
    Professional Board
    Executive Board
    Afternoon:
    Council II followed by Closing Session

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 1999
    All day:
    Tour day

It is worth noting that the last date for early registration has been extended until 15 May 1999. Until this date, the registration fee will be $350 U.S. - afterwards, $425 U.S!

The Thai Organizing Committee has a website which provides useful information for registration at http:// www.ifla99.th.com. Alternatively, email spafa@ksc.th.com

WITH RESPECT TO THE SCI-TECH OPEN SESSION, STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBER DONNA MCCOOL WRITES:

    The title of our session will be "The Global Crisis in Science Literature: Developing Responses". Our topic will examine the difficulties that all libraries, in both the developing and the developed world, are experiencing in maintaining access to scientific literature because of exorbitant pricing patterns. We have chosen three speakers who can speak not only about this global problem, but also about current strategies which are being developed to respond to the crisis.

Our speakers and their titles are:

  1. Dr. Robert Stueart, "Tigers in Retreat: The Economic Crisis in Asia and it's impact on Access to Scientific and Technical Literature". Many of you may know Bob Stueart, as he has been active in international library circles, including IFLA, for many years. He is especially qualified to speak about Asia and scientific literature, as he has both taught and worked as a science library administrator in Bangkok. He is also a retired library science professor from Simmons College in Boston, USA. Bob's presentation reflects our committee's interest in learning about the state of scientific information in the region of the world we will be visiting during IFLA.

  2. Mr. Milton Wolf, "Collecting Science Materials from Developing Regions: Universal Dilemma, Collaborative Solutions". Milton is the Senior Vice President for Collection Programs at the Center for Research Libraries, Vice President for Collection Programs at the Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, USA. He will be discussing a new collaborative initiative, being launched by the Center, which has as its goal the collection and preservation of rarely held and unique international science journals and serials.

  3. Mr. Duane Webster, "Evolving Community Responses". Mr. Webster, also active in IFLA, is the Executive Director of the Association for Research Libraries (ARL) in Washington, D.C. ARL, whose membership includes the largest 122 research libraries in the United States, has been a key organization in providing a collaborative response to the escalating problem of high journal prices. Duane will present information about the newest strategies being pursued by the Association of Research Libraries.

The Workshop/Study Tour will be a full-day event co-sponsored with the User Education Round Table. It will focus on education for users, incorporating the issue of continuing education.

FUTURE CONFERENCES

66TH IFLA GENERAL CONFERENCE JERUSALEM, ISRAEL, 13-18 AUGUST 2000

The Israeli National Organizing Committee, with the approval of the Professional Board of IFLA, has chosen the theme "Information For Cooperation: Creating The Global Library Of The Future" for the 66th IFLA General Conference in Jerusalem.

The Subtopics are:

  • Exchange of electronic bibliographic data
  • Cross-cultural networking partnerships
  • The multicultural Internet
  • Management of information: "librarianship" for the 21st century
  • The on-site library in the era of the virtual library
  • Educating the professional for the Global Information Infrastructure
  • Research in a global environment
  • The study of reading in the digital society
  • Preservation of the past for the future

67TH IFLA COUNCIL AND GENERAL CONFERENCE, BOSTON, USA, AUGUST 16-25, 2001

Theme: Libraries and Librarians: Making a Difference in the Knowledge Age

The library exists as an idea and a symbol as well as a physical reality. Throughout history the mission of the library - to facilitate the free flow of information - remains unchanged although change is constantly occurring in the ways in which librarians fulfil the library's mission. Librarians, as knowledge workers, collect, transmit and preserve recorded messages. They organize and manage the storage, retrieval and use of information. They provide personal assistance in tailoring information services for people and institutions. Librarians analyze, evaluate and synthesize the information they collect to create new forms of knowledge. The technology changes, but the mission endures.

The power of technology supports sophisticated systems for connecting people to new forms of knowledge and creates linkages between the expanding physical and intellectual universes. By harnessing rapidly developing technology with a reaffirmation of the historical values and contributions of librarianship, the chaos and experimentation of the Information Age transforms into a new era of human development -- the Knowledge Age.

Subthemes:

  • Advancing the Leadership Role of the Librarian in the Information Age
  • Delivering Lifelong Learning Across Space and Time
  • Managing Information and Technology in the Knowledge Age
  • Developing Information Policies for the Knowledge Age
  • Forging Collaborative Partnerships
  • Making a Difference --
    • to Government and Industry in Economic Development
    • to Society in Social and Cultural Development
    • to Researchers and Scientists Exploring the Frontiers of Knowledge
    • to Children and Young Adults in Learning Opportunities
    • in the Quality of Life to the Public

IFLA SECTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LIBRARIES MEDIUM TERM PROGRAMME 1998-2001

SCOPE STATEMENT

The Section brings together special libraries collecting materials in, and offering access to, information about the physical sciences and technology to users in science and technology departments of national libraries, university and polytechnic libraries, public libraries and corporate and government research libraries. A major focus of the Section will be on computer networks and digital information for professional and scholarly communication. The Section collaborates with various national and international science and technology library associations.

GOALS, 1998-2001

  1. Provide a forum for discussion on working methods and services of libraries in the sciences and technology.
  2. Promote activities that advance the professional competence of science and technology librarians.
  3. Engage in projects, in cooperation with other Sections of IFLA interested in the subject, with IFLA core programmes, and with other organizations, for the analysis of
  4. allenges which science and technology libraries face, as well as for the preparation and implementation of appropriate proposals.
  5. Extend the effectiveness of the Section as an international focus for science and technology librarianship.
  6. Enhance the status of science and technology librarians.

ACTION PLANS, 1998-1999

  1. Organise cooperative endeavours with other national and international Sci-Tech organizations such as IATUL, ICSU, ISTI and the SLA Sci-Tech Division.
  2. Arrange publication and dissemination of papers delivered at Section meetings.
  3. Assess the potential of the Section to provide professional assistance to Sci-Tech libraries in developing regions.
  4. Prepare and promote the Manual for International Cooperation for Sci-Tech Libraries.
  5. Promote membership to increase the effectiveness of the Section by:
    • increasing the content of the Section newsletter and distributing it electronically,
    • publishing information on the Section's activities in the IFLA Journal and on the IFLA website (IFLANet),
    • opening the Section's listserv to all Section members and others interested in the work of the Section.
  6. Develop the Section's contribution to IFLANet and provide links to other Sci-Tech sites and discussion lists.

SCI-TECH LISTSERV

Section members and others interested in the work of Sci-Tech are welcome to join our open listserv maintained at Oxford University, U.K. To join send a one line email message saying

ROSS SHIMMON, IFLA'S NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

Leo Voogt, IFLA's Secretary General from 1992 left 1 January 1999 to become Executive Director of the Royal Association for the Book Trade in the Netherlands. We wish him well in his new career and welcome his successor, Ross Shimmon, who will take up his appointment in April 1999.

FROM PRESS RELEASE 12 JANUARY 1999 - Ross Shimmon will leave the position of Chief Executive of the Library Association (United Kingdom), a position he has held since 1992. As Chief Executive he was responsible to the Council of the Library Association for the management of the Association and for providing professional leadership. Mr Shimmon is already well-known to IFLA and knowledgeable about IFLA, having attended most IFLA Conferences since 1987; as a Member of the IFLA Copyright Committee (1991-1993); as a Member of the IFLA FAIFE Committee (1997 to date); and as a Member of the IFLA Round Table on the Management of Library Associations (1988 to date). Christine Deschamps, President of IFLA, commenting on Mr Shimmon's appointment said "I am confident that as IFLA enters the new millennium, the qualifications possessed by Ross Shimmon are exactly those needed by the Federation: skilled negotiator and manager; resourcefulness; commitment to high professional standards; broad experience in a membership organization; and an ability to work in the international environment."

IFLA'S WEB ADDRESS

Note that IFLA's WWW address is now officially:

There is a European mirror site that is updated daily at:

DIGLIB - DISCUSSION LIST ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES

This is a discussion list for librarians, information scientists and other information professionals to share information about the many issues and technologies pertaining to the creation of digital libraries.

To join send a one line email message saying

    subscribe diglib your name

to:

SPARC - THE SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING & ACADEMIC RESOURCES COALITION

This newly formed alliance of libraries was announced in Amsterdam and aims to foster expanded competition in scholarly communication. Launched with support from membership of the the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), SPARC has begun creating "partnerships" with publishers who are developing high-quality but economical alternatives.

By partnering with publishers, SPARC seeks to:

  • create a more competitive marketplace
  • reduce the price of journals
  • ensure fair use and educational and library uses of electronic resources
  • apply new technologies to improve the process of scholarly communication and to reduce the costs of production and distribution.

To learn more, see:

SCHMIDT PERIODICALS GmbH
in association with
PERIODICALS SERVICE CO. (USA)


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issues of periodicals, serials and reference works.

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We are always happy to send special lists in your fields of
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Contact Address:

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    Sales & Marketing
    Schmidt Periodicals GmbH
    Calle La Fuente 2
    40420 La Losa (Segovia), Spain
    Tel. + 34 21 480404
    Fax. + 34 21 480403
    E-Mail - j.waite@redestb.es


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