Opinion - Information Matters

November 25, 2024 Dariush Alimohammadi

Professional Qualifications Matrix: An Ongoing Debate on Matching Information Science Education with the Market Needs

Christina J. Steffy and Meg Massey wrote in the October 2024 issue of C&RL News about a challenge that has plagued Information Science education and professional librarians for many years. They specifically focus on one job position at the American Library Association (ALA) and pose reasonable questions to all of us. Can the specialized training of library schools (even if they are innovative and have joined the iSchool movement) prepare graduates for the jobs available in the ALA? Is it not possible to find a person who is more qualified to hold the desired job among the graduates of the adjacent fields, such as Computer Science and Management? Basically, should librarians run the ALA?

November 6, 2024 Michael Ridley

Looking Backwards to See Ahead: The Case of Expert Systems Development in Libraries

During the current moment, as generative AI dominates our thinking, both for its extraordinary performance and serious flaws, a new direction is needed. The way forward may involve looking backward. The addressing the deficiencies of generative AI would benefit from reviewing, and incorporating, some of the lessons from expert system development during the late 20th century.

Opinion

July 19, 2022 Lisa M. Given

In Its 90th Year the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sidelined Information Professionals: Here’s How You Can Help

In early June, Australia woke to the news that the nation’s public broadcaster (the Australian Broadcasting Corporation) was making its librarians and archivists redundant.

Education Opinion

June 28, 2022 Kosmas Deligkaris

Wikis: A Viable Platform for Supporting Academic Research Operations

Modern collaborative Wiki platforms can be used to support and facilitate the research process, and to provide a starting point for the efficient implementation of a knowledge management system in academic research settings.

Education Opinion

January 25, 2022 Jeff Allen

Arbiters of Truth

Within the last five years, disinformation and misinformation have become part of our common vernacular. These terms are often misunderstood, misused, or even used interchangeably. Clarifying definitions are critical in a world of increasingly high-stakes information sharing, and this is of particular importance for information professionals.

Opinion

September 22, 2021 Niloofar Sohjoo

Unconditional Love: An Inspiration for Veterinarians, Information Scientists, and All Animal People

The core idea of all my studies emerged from my experience with two dogs who have given me unconditional love and support during my busy life.

Opinion

August 26, 2021 Shalini Urs

Copyrights at the Crossroad? Bends, Turns, and the Churn

The copyright laws … help balance the private needs of creators and public interests. The question is: Do they?

Opinion

August 8, 2021 Jeremy Pickens

Dancing through the Digital Landscape: Friction, Control, and the Need for Information Proprioception

It is something that every individual has while interacting with the world and is what allows us to walk, toss a ball, or drive a car. It is known as kinesthesia, or proprioception.