The Education and Research Committee of Japan Pharmaceutical Library Association conducted a survey of member libraries (51 universities and 52 companies) in 2006 on outsourcing for the purpose of investigating the actual situation of the library staff that support the information service of member libraries and need special knowledge and skill. Mainly in private universities, outsourcing is increasing along with the point of view that outsourcing is a practical necessity. However, the survey revealed that outsourcing is introduced not by libraries independently but by universities to increase business efficiency. It was also found that outsourcing is not used efficiently for library management. On the basis of the present conditions, the Education and Research Committee put 2 plans up: 1. Improvement of librarians' management ability 2. Offer of training opportunity not only to permanent personnel but also to temporary staff and agency workers and decided to promote the education and training project in the association.
Pathfinder has come to be used in various fields of the library. This article introduces Syllabus Type Pathfinder. It gives information on textbooks and standard reference books of each class to university students. It is considered that Syllabus Type Pathfinder is useful for university libraries to satisfy the users' needs and enhance communication between teachers and librarians.