ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries


2 4 0 1 C&RL News ■  April 1998

I n  t h e

ACRL President W. Lee Hisle strongly b e ­
lieves that to ensure the health o f our pro­
fession, librarians must b eco m e effective 
advocates. Under his leadership, efforts have 
continued to support ACRL’s strategic direc­
tion to “maintain at the national level a promi­
nent role in planning and decision making 
for influencing information policy.” In this 
issue we share with you some o f the strides 
that ACRL is making in this area, especially 
in regards to the legislative arena.

At its Midwinter Meeting the ACRL Board 
o f Director’s approved a legislative agenda 
(page 258) that addresses the Next Genera­
tion Internet, intellectual property, and gov­
ernment information.

This issue includes a detailed report on 
the Next Generation Internet prepared by 
Rick Weingarten, senior policy analyst at 
ALA’s Washington O ffice (page 253). We 
hope that this gives you the information you 
need to be an informed participant in the 
political discussion.

ACRL also wants to support efforts to re­
mind the government of its obligation to cre­
ate and share easy-to-use information about
the government. Examples of local uses of
government information are often the most
effective means of communicating its value.
Carolyn M. Gray, chair of ACRL’s Government
Relations Committee, asks you to share with
ACRL your use of government information so
that we can demonstrate its importance in edu­
cation, research, and public affairs (page 255).

Speaking of information, while we know
it is important, the tremendous amount avail­
able can also be daunting. Constance Rinaldo
and Karen Odato share their techniques for
helping faculty cope with information over­
load so that they can stay informed and yet 
“still have a life” (page 248).

Heather Moberly and Amy Paster give us the 
low down on information about nutrition and 
vegetarianism available on the Web (page 265).

Mary Ellen K. Davis
E ditor- in -ch ief, medavis@al a .org