Every so often a number of one's regularly received journals seem to come up with articles on the same relevant subject. Recently, one such topic was Careers in Special Libraries, which lead to the following articles being added to the Career Planning and Competencies EIP ( http://www.sla.org/membership/irc/carecomp.html). Since the IRC list of joblines is by far the most frequently visited Web page on the IRC Web site, I hope that the following annotated bibliography of some of those articles will be of interest. Full-text versions or abstracts of the articles can be found on the Web sites of the respective journals, where available. These can be accessed through the EIP referred to above or copies can be obtained from the IRC, either by interlibrary loan of the journal or by fax where there are only a few pages and the relevant ILL request form is completed.

Web Miscellany

Try this great Web site: The Commerce and Law Internet Bookmarks
http://info.utas.edu.au/docs/comlaw/index.html#Overview

Just a plethora of useful international sites including Internet Services, Law, Economics & Business, Accounting & Management, Government, Libraries & Reference, and Education.

Craumer, Pat and Lucy Marshall. "Telecommuting from an Electronic Cottage: Negotiating Potholes and Toll Booths." Online, 21(6), November/December 1997: 94-102. Sound advice from two who know. One author, who telecommutes from Montana, is employed by SilverPlatter, located in the greater Boston area; the other is self-employed as an independent consultant working from home.

Cveljo, Katherine. "Internationalizing Library and Information Science Degree Programs: Benefits and Challenges for Special Librarians." Information Outlook, 1(10), October 1997: 34-38. More than ever before, an "information workforce"--one that is professionally skilled, well educated, and knowledgeable of worldwide conditions--has become an essential prerequisite not only for the control and growth of an organization and sustained economic growth of a country, but also for the exchange of information globally.

Dolan, Donna; and John Schumacher. "New Jobs Emerging In and Around Libraries and Leadership." Online, 21(6), November/December 1997: 68-76. A comprehensive investigation of want ads and interviews with librarians and librarians-in-training reveals newly re-defined jobs and new positions requiring traditional librarian skills.

Everett, Melissa. "Interviews with Infopros." Online, 21(6) November/December 1997: 77-82. The information world inhabited by librarians is changing dramatically and quickly--and librarians are keeping up with it. The Manager of Content Licensing for Amulet reveals librarian skills and experiences that contribute to her successful performance at a fast-moving Internet early-stage company.

Hawkins, Donald T; Katherine V. Romano, and Robert D. Rindfuss. "Telecommuting Technologies and Experiences." Online, 21(6), November/December 1997: 103-109. Guest author telecommuters Kathy Romano (Lucent Technologies Global Library Network) and Bob Rindfuss (group manager at AT&T) describe their work experiences and the technology that enables them.

Howze, Phillip C. "10 Job-Hunting Tips for New Librarians." College & Research Library News, 58(7), July/August 1997: 490-492. There's no panacea to finding a job, but you wont get one if you never get an interview.

Matson, Lisa Dallape and David J. Bonski. "Do Digital Libraries Need Librarians? An Experiential Dialog." Online, 21(6), November/December 1997: 87-92. Librarians must gain the ability to live comfortably in a new environment and to recognize that their role is much more than custodians of a traditional edifice of knowledge. Technologists must come to see librarians as "living metadata": breathing, thinking, creative.

Rehman, ur Sajjad; Ahamd Bakeri Abu Baker, and Shaheen Majid. "Defining Competencies for Special Library Professionals: Malaysian Experience." Sajjad ur Rehman, Ahamd Bakeri Abu Baker, and Shaheen Majid. Aslib Proceedings, 49(6), June 1997: 162-169. An interesting study, the results of which have indicated the futuristic aspirations of the employers with regard to the information professional.

Wleklinski, Joann. "Leaving the Library: An Information Professional's Odyssey." Searcher, 5(7), July/August 1997: 6-10. The professional journey of an information professional who began working in a corporate library then moved into a Knowledge Management Specialist position at the company's research center. Concludes that proactive information professionals should use their skills to help lead the information revolution rather than follow. For more information on "IRC Notes," or to contribute to the column, please contact Manager, Information Resources Center John Latham at: 1-202-234-4700, ext. 639; fax: 1-202-265-9317; e-mail: john@sla.org.