Introduction

The objective of this special, thematic volume is to inspire thought and future research on technology-related issues that face both librarians and scientists. Increasingly rapid advances in technology and scientific discovery have dramatically altered the information-seeking behavior of both student and faculty researchers. Concomitant with these changes is a new set of challenges for librarians serving this population of users. Science librarians need not only advanced skills in information technology but also a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of specific subject areas. As the availability of indexes and journals in electronic format increases, so does the ease of conducting a literature review and acquiring journal articles and other pertinent materials. To satisfy the needs of their users, libraries continue to add electronic journals and databases to their collections. At the same time, budgetary constraints have resulted in cancellation of many paper subscriptions in favor of the “more desirable” electronic version. Librarians struggle to locate, purchase, make available, understand, use, and preserve the record of science in both content and format for users they might never see face-to-face. Scientists, too, can easily be overwhelmed when sifting through, organizing, and using the plethora of information published in their fields.