Foundations of Library and Information Science

This textbook covers the expanded field of library and information science for major accredited programmes. Designed as a current teaching resource, the book offers information science students and librarians the background and techniques they need to meet the challenge of the profession today. This comprehensive course book begins with a discussion of the practice of librarianship, and moves on to address the place of libraries within the broader perspective of the information superstructure, the development of information science, the growth of information technologies, information policy in libraries, intellectual organization of libraries (from classification systems to databases), the mission of libraries from past to present, and ethical aspects and principles between information providers and clients. A detailed look at the various types of libraries (public, academic, school and special), their internal functions and the major organizational issues they face is reviewed in the second part of the book. It also contains a list of selected readings and appendices including the Association of Research Libraries Statement on Intellectual Property; Development of the National Information Infrastructure; a bill of rights and responsibilities for electronic learners; major periodicals, indexes, encyclopaedias and dictionaries in library and information science; and a listing of associations.