Across the Hill: The congressional research service and providing research for congress — A retrospective on personal experience

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a reconstituted version of the Legislative Reference Service which Congress had launched in 1914 and statutorily gave institutional status in 1946, was established in a 1970 reform law This retrospective is the personal account of one analyst's experience working for CRS from its initial years until January 2009. The account, it should be kept in mind, is highly particularistic, based upon the author's unique experience in one section of a division of CRS with responsibilities for his assigned subject areas concerning government operations and procedures.     

Across the Hill: The congressional research service and providing research for congress—A retrospective on origins

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) of today is a 1970 extension of the Legislative Reference Service, which was initially established through the appropriations process in 1914 and statutorily given permanent, institutional status in 1946. Throughout their existence, these entities have been, in varying degrees, part of the Library of Congress, which, itself, dates to the arrival of the federal government in the new capital in 1800. Provided here is a retrospective on these organizations—their origins, structural development, changing missions, and, in the case of the CRS, its current operational status.     

Pride and Challenges for Information Management Through the Centuries: The Online Version of the Jagiellonian Library Old Catalog (Up to 1949)

The article discusses the Jagiellonian Library's scanned version of its catalog of books published up to 1949. This case study analyzes the issue of information management in light of the history of the catalog from 1802 onwards and the process of making the catalog accessible via the Internet. It examines the consequences of the decision to scan the catalog on the various library departments' current procedures, as well as on library users.     

Strategic library and information services models for the visually impaired persons: The South African Library for the Blind perspective

The South African Library for the Blind (SALB) contributes to the quality of life of print-impaired people encouraging independence through access to information, informed decision making, and taking pleasure in the enjoyment of recreational reading. In realizing the vision, SALB implemented two strategic models; agent mini-libraries and comprehensive mini-libraries. Management and administration of the services rendered is covered in detail. The project was pioneered in one of the provinces and has been rolled out to other provinces. The paper highlights how visually impaired people experience in a tangible manner, assistive technologies, training and interaction with community members and use libraries.