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New technologies mean library and information science is currently characterised by fast‐paced change, with staff needing to be flexible in adapting and adopting new skills and levels of awareness. New developments need to be marketed and evaluated, and these are additional skills for information professionals to adopt. Findings of a research project carried out at Liverpool John Moores University into the marketing and management of e‐journals demonstrate the need for LIS professionals to develop marketing and evaluation skills and strategies for new technologies. Other emerging skills in the electronic information environment are communication, negotiation and collaboration, with information professionals being called upon to teach new skills.

The provision of electronic journals collections has required libraries and librarians to adapt and develop services and working practices. Research carried out at Liverpool John Moores University investigated promotion and evaluation of e‐journals in academic library collections in the UK and North America. Further issues discussed include cost implications and best value. Faced with many alternatives of packages and bundles, the questions of relevancy and management costs arise. The research also considered the prevalence and benefits of purchasing consortia. Promotion and evaluation of e‐journals are examined in light of changing user expectations, possible benefits from the supply chain and management skills in a changing collection environment.

Adapted from a presentation given by the authors at the Annual Conference of the Publicity and Public Relations Group of the Library Association in November 1999, focusing on how the Internet impacts on today’s public relations (PR) and marketing and the implications for librarians. Building on the experience of the publisher MCB University Press and using analysis and practical examples, identifies how promotional activity can be adapted to this new medium. Finds that interactivity is a feature of the Internet that can be exploited for promotional purposes, and that integration of traditional and online communication methods provides the key to successful PR/marketing for the Internet. The need for effective planning and implementation of PR/marketing activity is stressed, together with the need to incorporate Internet promotion into an overall promotional plan for the organisation.

Focuses on the areas of promotion and evaluation, discussing findings of a recent Liverpool‐based study of electronic journals in academic libraries in the UK and North America. Traces the growth of electronic journals and their impact on the role of information professionals. Although information professionals have adapted to these technical developments, there are indications from the study that the transition is incomplete in the areas of evaluation and promotion. As library staff are under‐resourced, suggests that library providers could assist by supplying relevant user statistics and by passing on the benefits of their own marketing expertise and promotional literature.

Given the advantages of electronic publishing and the benefits of electronic journals, this paper comments on a research project which investigates benefits of and barriers to the purchase of electronic journals in university library collections in the UK and North America. The methodology included surveys of those involved in serials provision in university libraries. More detailed information is being obtained via follow‐up interviews. Research findings demonstrate the growth of electronic journals, and their benefits. The issues of access to electronic journals in university libraries, including availability, methods of access and delivery options, promotion and evaluation are discussed. The various cost factors are considered, including site licence issues, purchase decisions, and consortia purchasing. Archiving issues are discussed. Conclusions highlight current considerations affecting the purchase of electronic journals in university collections.

With the requisite IT infrastructure now becoming commonplace in academic institutions, electronic journals are becoming an established component of academic life, but the management of electronic journals can not yet be considered trouble‐free. This latest research project at Liverpool John Moores University focuses on the evaluation and promotion of electronic journals in academic libraries in the UK and in North America. The aim is to highlight any significant differences in the way that electronic journals are managed and to identify successes in order to establish “best practice”. Several issues emerge from the research. For electronic journals to become a significant alternative to the print version, there needs to be a recognition that the introduction of electronic journals will impact on working practices and staffing requirements, requiring more technical skills and competencies and changes in management priorities. Furthermore, electronic journals are still a “moving target”, making realignment even more difficult and posing awkward questions for decision makers as to the best way forward. The whole process of electronic journal development requires effective management of change. Interoperability would seem to provide the key to many of the issues involved. All of these factors influence the changing arena of LIS education.

Outlines the main themes and programmes of recent library and information science (LIS) research, giving examples of individual projects. Discusses how the direction of this research has been, and is likely to continue to be, subject to the forces of both technological change and of organisational change within the major funding bodies. Examines how the findings of such research are disseminated and discusses the role of academic journals and commercial publishers, including their likely future role. Finds the dissemination of research findings for LIS to be less than adequate in terms of meeting user needs, and suggests that Re:source establish a national LIS research register in partnership with commercial publishers.

Focuses on the issue of raising the profile and status of librarians, with emphasis on higher salaries and recognition through pay equity. Considers the issues taken up by Mitch Freedman, President of the American Library Association (ALA) and his Campaign for America’s Librarians. Expresses viewpoints on salary issues for librarians/information professionals in the context of the USA and UK, drawn both from an impassioned speech delivered by Mitch Freedman and from the findings of a pay and status survey conducted by The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and CILIP’s consequent response.