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The broader context in the last twenty years awareness of the information and documentation problems of the social sciences has grown, but almost as if by stealth. During that period there have been significant developments for practice, organization and research in social science information, but knowledge of these has remained largely confined to small groups of specialists closely associated with them. In the main it has been library and information developments in science and technology that have captured the interest and attention of the majority of professionals and specialists as such: for example, the development of computer‐based citation indexes; the introduction of the computer database as a successor to the printed secondary journal; the development of online search facilities and associated software and retrieval techniques; the exploitation of telecommunications and computers to create new information technology, leading to alternative means of interpersonal communication, the possibilities of electronic journals and a vision of the paperless society. This situation is hardly surprising since science and technology provide the productive base for advanced societies.

This paper aims to provide a reflection on the issue of convergence of information systems and information management using a historical perspective and the experiences of two practitioners from different disciplines working together to deliver first degree and Master's teaching in this area.

The paper situates the teaching of business strategy and information strategy in a historical context and combines this with a reflection on teaching the subject in practice.

The paper finds that there is a need for exchange of perspectives and skills between information science and information management students which can be mutually beneficial and add value to their skill set.

In terms of curriculum design for information professional education, information systems students need a strong background in the business and user environment to leverage the technologies for business value.

The paper presents a case study of practice with a commentary on the dynamics of teaching the theme.

A number of financial models for collection development are reviewed in their historical and contemporary context. Digital library collections and hybrid library developments are the key influences on the future shape of financial models. These developments are reviewed and some future scenarios are offered along with the likely shape of future financial models. A theoretical analysis suggests a need to move towards user access funding models and away from the traditional collection grant allocation model. Irrespective of this shift libraries will still face traditional challenges in the financial support of physical collections.

The paper seeks to offer a generalized methodology for knowledge auditing. The context of information and knowledge perspectives is established and knowledge auditing is located in an evolving context of information research and practice.

A 15‐element inventory is developed which takes its design from business strategy and process and links it to the generalized cycle of information and communication activity.

The elements are systematically reviewed in terms of a general aspect, a typical interpretation and a threshold to indicate the type of practical application and data representation associated with each element.

The model is widely adaptable to different settings as a tool for business enterprises, organizations in different sectors and for use in communities of practice and learning/knowledge settings.

This is an area of application where a more standard framework approach to information and knowledge auditing would be beneficial. The structure provides a working basis for further development.

The question of interlibrary loan costs is of major importance to librarians in higher education establishments. In May 1978 the Library Management Research Unit (now the Centre for Library and Information Management) at Loughborough University carried out a short programme of studies to investigate the internal costs of interlibrary lending and borrowing at five libraries in three British universities. The studies were carried out at University A for five working days at random over four weeks, at University B (Main Library, Science Library, Medical Library) for 15 consecutive working days, and at University C for 19 consecutive working days. The necessary work time data was gathered by self‐completed diary surveys of staff at each library. In spite of some unavoidable differences in study technique at each library it proved possible to calculate some generally comparable unit costs from the work measurement data recorded. The libraries concerned had some reservations about the comparative study and the way in which it should best be carried out, but agreed in the end that it was a useful exercise giving reasonable results. At the same time the libraries produced their own estimates of unit costs based on annual expenditure and transaction data.

This paper aims to present selected findings of a recent study of serendipity in information seeking, exploring the paradox of control inherent in the concept of “seeking serendipity”.

After providing an overview of the research study, the paper locates the research findings in the context of the literature. The discussion explores the research findings in relation to both the paradox of control and the related concept of “seeking serendipity”.

The definition/description of serendipity is examined, the concept of process‐perception duality is introduced, and links with the literature are explored. The discussion reassesses the paradox of control in light of the research findings, raising the possibility that information literacy educators have a role to play in developing the perception aspect of serendipity.

The paper proposes that, despite the possibly uncomfortable challenges presented by the paradox of control, serendipity deserves more recognition in professional practice. Increased acknowledgement and understanding of serendipity may enable professional practitioners to function more effectively in the unpredictable, dynamic environment that informs the reality of information seeking.

The paper adds to the limited existing empirical research investigating serendipity, increasing both academic and practical understanding of the phenomenon. In particular, the introduction of the concept of process‐perception duality provides a useful grounding for future research.

The rise of academic librarian professionalism coincided with the consolidation and centralization of university libraries. The resulting consolidation of the materials budget offered a revenue stream exploited by increasingly large publishers. Since publishers will always attempt to maximize their profits, the only way to restrict unlimited access to library funds is through reverting to decentralization. One such method is the creation of modules without overlapping funding. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.

This paper relies on a wide range of academic library economic literature in an attempt to clarify the structural problem of library budgeting as well as to find means to reverse the slide into budgetary collapse.

Professional librarians have over‐centralized academic libraries. This has provided publishers in the past with profitable revenue streams that continue to expand even while the library's ability to maintain funding has contracted. Since publishers will not impose limits on maximizing their profits, it is up to the librarian to impose strictures on available funding.

This paper argues that there is a causal relation between the rise of increasingly large for‐profit publishing and the rise of the centralized big academic library run by library professionals. It proposes the decentralization of academic library budgets as a means to regain fiscal control.

This paper aims to present an overview of the current library and information service in UK professional associations. Challenges in the sector are identified and some of the best information services are examined in order to construct useful models for best practice.

A mixed method approach is used: literature review, sources‐based research, content analysis of web sites, statistical analysis, and open‐ended interviews. A total of 50 web sites of professional associations were analysed and 13 association representatives were interviewed. Models of best practice in professional association library and information services are proposed.

The professional associations with the best web site information provision often have excellent in‐house libraries and a growth in membership between 1999 and 2007. Challenges include: attracting and retaining members through the information services, sufficient marketing and promotion of information services, generating or attracting enough funds, keeping information up‐to‐date, creating benchmarks and standards, and developing information policies and strategy.

The proposed models can be used by professional association library information services to improve their service delivery.

The study contributes to the under‐researched area of library and information services of UK professional associations. The paper outlines original models for building information strategy and best practice.