ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

In the News

Communication. Every day I realize anew just how important communication is. Lack of or poor communication can lead to misunderstandings (even wars), mistakes, missed opportunities, etc. Whether the results are as historic as the recent Mideast peace talks and agreement or as routine as an undergraduate understanding how to find journal articles, it is the quality of the communication upon which hinges the success of the interaction.

In national associations like ACRL communication is crucial. With an international membership we must rely on communication by memo, letter, fax, phone, e-mail, or semiannual meetings. As staff we are always on the lookout for new and better ways to communicate the association’s activities and news pertaining to academic librarianship.

To this end I am pleased to announce the creation of C&RL NewsNet, an abridged electronic edition of C&RL News accessible on the Internet through the Gopher server at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Now anyone with access to a gopher server on the Internet can read news about ACRL and academic librarian- ship. We hope that C&RL NewsNet will increase awareness about ACRL and its activities. Details about what is contained in C&RL NewsNet and information describing access to the Gopher is given on the next page. I invite you to try out C&RL NewsNet and send me an e-mail message with your comments and suggestions.

Our articles this month also emphasize the importance of communication. You can read about publicizing preservation efforts, increasing awareness of electronic projects, and working with information technologists to create new professional development opportunities. This issue also includes information about the ACRL committee appointment process. Volunteer for an ACRL committee and become more actively involved in the ACRL communication process.

—Mary Ellen Davis Editor & Publisher