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The purpose of this paper is to present a study of attitudes displayed towards the Central Humanist Library (CHL) from the perspective of both undergraduate and graduate students as well as librarians, specifically in light of the proposed relocation and merging of the library, which consists of 18 separate departments and is currently scattered across two locations. It is proposed that bringing all of the departments into a single building would enable a number of positive key changes, such as cost reduction (in terms of single premises), communication and cooperation between departments, as well as various other process and service improvements.

A number of different techniques were employed to obtain and analyse various sets of data, depending on the target group: student responses were obtained through web surveys, focus groups and interviews, with data being extracted and analysed through descriptive analysis; librarians’ responses were obtained through interviews, with data being extracted and an analysis driven through content analysis.

The CHL has traditionally been a place with a lack of space and a focus on traditional library services (i.e. loan of printed materials). Other more technological aspects of library and information services are fulfilled by nearby resources, including public libraries and alternative university libraries. It is also worth noting that there is a stark difference in the perceptions of the CHL between students of the Social Sciences and the more traditional Humanities. Responses from librarians pointed towards the fact that many feel reluctant towards change.

As this study has only focused on three categories of end user, it should be noted that responses from faculty, researchers and doctoral students will be obtained in a separate research study, to enable a broader picture to be formed.

As this research focused on the present library and current information needs of the students within different study programmes, planning should not be based on the present situation, but rather take account of future predictions and needs. It is suggested, therefore, that the following is also undertaken to assist future projects and provide further insight: informing students and librarians of findings; systematic weeding; and, as noted above, further investigation of other stakeholders, e.g. researchers, doctoral students, faculty and management.

There is minimal information surrounding the attitudes of users and staff within the CHL – it is proposed that the findings of this study will assist in decisions regarding the renovation of newly acquired premises, and the subsequent relocation and reorganization of the existing library, staff, collections and services.

Reports the findings of an investigation carried out in Slovenian public libraries, which was designed to determine whether librarians would be reluctant to provide information or materials on ethically disputed topics. The three topics used in the test were: suicide, necrophilia, and photographs or pictures of corpses. The conclusions were that the issue was a matter of quality of reference services,

Examines the role of research skills from the perspective of staff and students involved in courses at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. Library and information science programmes are expected to provide students with the right skills to become information specialists. The focus is on one narrow area of these skills, the research skills, i.e. research problem definition, research methods use and research report writing. Some of the students, as future professionals, will seldom have to conduct research, but will constantly have to read and evaluate it for their professional use. The analysis of the curriculum for the research content is presented. A publishable manuscript is a requirement for graduation at the Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies. The dissertation should reflect the research skills acquired through the studies. This paper is actually a case study, but with the aim of presenting a possible solution on how to define research skills based on this study.

Describes the use made of the interlending services in a country “with a high level of political conflict and national diversity”. Examines areas of science and politics in the former Yugoslavia, journal collections, automation and costs. Concludes that standardisation at the highest level is required and that library co‐operation in the former Yugoslavia can “rise above the problems caused by the hostilities in the political environment”.

This paper aims to report on the outcomes of a survey of organisations in Australia and Slovenia hosting undergraduate Library and Information Studies (LIS) students on professional placement to better understand the reasons behind organisations accepting students, the workload implications and their satisfaction with the process.

Hosting organisations were asked to complete a survey on various aspects of the placement process.

For both countries, hosts reported favourably on their experience, and virtually, all felt that while it was a real commitment of time and resources on their part, it was a responsibility they were happy to take on. There was little difference between the two cohorts, suggesting that the findings from this research may be an accurate picture of the situation for LIS placements hosts more generally. The positive view of the placement and the belief in its role in LIS education is further strengthened by this study.

The research suggests that hosting students is not seen as an onerous task, but one which brings benefits to both parties. This will be useful in promoting student placements when looking for new host opportunities.

This study has added to the limited literature in the LIS field on the experience of host organisations. Obtaining similar results across two countries added to the reliability of the findings which will help inform those planning future student placements.

The purpose of this paper is to present how the results of research on electronic resources use and selection policies in research libraries can be used.

The paper presents the sources for the establishment of the decision grid. The entire process and criteria for collection evaluation are presented from the funding perspective. The quantitative decision grid evaluation process used by the national body funding research, the Slovenian Research Agency, is presented and its use demonstrated.

For the fourth year in a row, the new decision grid was used to evaluate proposals for financing the library collections of almost one hundred research libraries in Slovenia. Each year, lists of quantitative evaluation elements are prepared and these are the basis for funding decisions. The results so far have been positive. The new criteria have encouraged involvement and participation in consortia, selection and deselection on the basis of the quality of journals, and movement to electronic journal collections.

The new research library environment that has evolved as technology has developed not only requires new models of functioning and providing service but also new financial resources. It is important to use library and information science research results and findings in the decision‐making process of the various involved parties regarding budget and financial inputs.

The paper offers new data on the old dilemma of how to best determine the value of a journal in the context of a library collection relative to the type of library and the needs of its users.

This paper seeks to report the outcomes of a survey of LIS students undertaken in Slovenia and Australia on their experience of work placements and the benefits this can bring for enhancing their personal portfolios.

Students were asked to complete a survey prior to undertaking their placement which sought to determine their expectations as to the usefulness and relevance of the placement in enhancing their portfolios and subsequent career prospects. After undertaking their placement, students completed a second survey as to how well the experience fitted with their expectations and its benefits for their portfolios and professional ambitions.

This research confirmed what has generally been reported elsewhere – that placements provide a highly relevant educational experience that is appreciated by students and that generally lives up to their expectations. The fact that there are few substantial differences between the two student cohorts suggests that the findings from this research are an accurate picture of the situation for LIS students more generally. The positive view of the placement and the belief in its role in LIS education is further strengthened by this study.

The outcomes from this research will help to inform the nature of the work placement experience – where it fits with expectations and where it does not – and how useful the activity is in giving breadth and depth to a student's portfolio in order to increase its value as a tool when seeking employment. The research has also an important comparative dimension, comparing two geographically distant countries with similar approaches to LIS education, and their experience in using e‐portfolios in placements as the part of preparation of students for their future professional careers.

The paper seeks to present an analysis of the development of schools of librarianship and information science (LIS) in the European Union (EU) applicant states until 2004. It discusses the potential and actual changes in their organisation, notably their curriculum.

The comparative analysis of LIS programmes was performed. The model presented by T.D. Wilson in 2001 was selected as the model for analysing the data. The aim was to support the Wilson model with some empirical data from the specific countries.

The results show that the long history of traditional library education in these schools was not a great obstacle to adapting the curriculum to new professional and political standards. LIS schools have generally changed their curriculum towards those of modern LIS schools and have also embraced the EU outlines regarding higher education, especially the Bologna Declaration.

This study has its limitations as it is based only on the formal courses’ names and the formal content. Comparative analysis could also be accomplished through analysing courses' content, students and teaching staff.

The theoretical model of LIS courses analysis was tested on the LIS programmes in EU new member and applicant states. Testing the model shows its weaknesses and strengths. This could be developed in a simple but practical and useful tool for LIS programmes comparison and harmonisation, where necessary.

The article briefly describes the research published on use of information sources by physicians and veterinary practitioners. It specifies in particular studies on the use of drug information sources in human and veterinary medicine and outlines the situation of the veterinary profession in Slovenia. It presents the results of a questionnaire survey on the use of information on drugs by Slovenian veterinary practitioners, on how they use information technology and electronic information sources, while it also indicates new possibilities for veterinary medical libraries and professional veterinary organisations how to provide, by new information and communication technologies, relevant information for veterinary practitioners in the most convenient way.