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This paper outlines a theoretical framework for studying the integration of ethnically diverse workforces in public service organizations. Individual and work group characteristics are viewed as determinants of social identity and organizational identification. Social Identity theory suggests that individuals develop self‐concept through identification with salient groups, including ethnic groups and organizational roles. The extent to which these identifications are competitive or synergistic may depend upon organizational and work group characteristics and on organizational policies concerning selection, performance appraisal, and rewards. Cross‐functional teamwork may provide an integrative mechanism which can promote intergroup relations and encourage greater organizational commitment among an ethnically diverse workforce. Cross‐functional teams can contribute to reduced intergroup conflict and promote the development of organizational identification. The benefits of cross‐functional teams will be particularly important in situations where the workforce is diverse, but work groups are ethnically homogeneous.

To share conference highlights and introduce new speakers.

A conference report of the LOEX‐of‐the‐West Conference held in June 2006 in Hawaii demonstrating trends and techniques in library instruction while addressing the use of current and emerging technologies in library instruction.

Library instruction must be relevant to students and compliment the academic programs in which they are enrolled. The theme of “Information literacy for a lifetime,” suggests how fluid the library landscape is and how necessary it is to incorporate appropriate technologies that are commonly used by students in their daily lives to support the goals for instruction.

Introducing sessions and presentations that utilized different instructional technologies this conference report suggests some rather creative strategies for teaching and offering bibliographic instruction.

On April 2, 1987, IBM unveiled a series of long‐awaited new hardware and software products. The new computer line, dubbed the Personal Systems 30, 50, 60, and 80, seems destined to replace the XT and AT models that are the mainstay of the firm's current personal computer offerings. The numerous changes in hardware and software, while representing improvements on previous IBM technology, will require users purchasing additional computers to make difficult choices as to which of the two IBM architectures to adopt.

Aims to provide highlights from the American Library Association (ALA) 2005 Midwinter meeting.

Provides a brief report of the meeting held in Boston, MA. in January 2005.

Outlines how the Public Library Association (PLA) debuted blogging at this meeting and provides a summary of the ever popular ALA Technology Showcase – the highlights of which included shared networks, library data mining and audio archives. Concludes with highlights from various Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) meetings and discussions and a detailed report on the Standards Interest Group.

A report of interest to library and information management professionals.

The implementation of new technology in the workplace has produced some negative responses from employers. Two field surveys investigating the prevalence of repetitive VDU work in the UK are discussed and responses from four categories of workers – data entry operators, administrators, programmers and supervisors – are analysed. Critical psychological variables show that in all cases data entry operators gave more extreme (worse) responses than any other group. It is concluded that there appears to be widespread evidence of more routine menial tasks having been created as a result of the introduction of new technology. Guidelines regarding the use of VDUs, especially over protracted periods, are advocated, with the introduction of timely rest breaks.

This article introduces Laurie Isenberg, a former medical and special librarian, who has been involved in using, retrieving and processing grey literature, and the advantages and restrictions she has experienced in working with that form of information. She candidly shares her opinions about how grey literature supports medical research and practice and her commitments to promoting the ongoing exposure to grey literature.

The amount of online information and discussion relevant to library and information activities has expanded very rapidly recently, particularly as a consequence of the development of Internet. The results are presented here of a detailed survey of the coverage Internet provides concerning the work of library and information specialists. The intention has been both to determine what is available and how best to access services from the UK. Especial emphasis is placed on the availability of relevant electronic journals.

The purpose of this paper is to examine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) efforts at Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) John D. MacArthur Campus Library (JDM) to share methodologies and ideas with other academic libraries. Recently, there has been an emphasis on and push for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in colleges and universities across the USA as a means for training future work forces and for remaining competitive in global job markets (Land, 2013). FAU in South Florida is a big proponent of STEM and STEAM education (Florida Atlantic University, 2012; Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, 2013).

As many librarians and outreach staff strive to remain relevant to their faculty and students with changing technologies (Drewes and Hoffman, 2010), the FAU JDM outreach staff have developed several novel programs that are geared toward the STEAM initiative.

The Library Outreach Committee at FAU was committed to investigating how they could advance student success through visual arts programming. How can the library help contribute to STEAM education for the students and learning community as a whole? How can the library engage art students? Can the library promote dialogue in arts to the faculty and staff, regardless of their disciplines? This article will describe and discuss the various art outreach programs that the JDM has tested and their outcomes addressing goals toward STEAM education and academic libraries.

The objective in sharing the experiences at the JDM is to spark new and successful program ideas at other academic libraries across the country and abroad and create knowledge in this relatively new area.