The first section of this article reviews the literature on the changing face of reference, beginning with a discussion of the national decline in reference transactions, its causes, and the likelihood that online reference services might one day halt or reverse the decline. It then analyzes definitions of the term "reference," pointing…

With information technologies' pervasive use within all departments and by all staff, libraries and library staff get their fair share of mandated projects. Knowing how to successfully operate in this kind of environment is important to the overall success of the library as a whole. What is meant by mandated project? A mandated project is a…

Discussion of issues in management of library automation includes: (1) hardware, including systems growth and contracts; (2) software changes, vendor relations, local systems, and microcomputer software; (3) item and authority databases; (4) automation and library staff, organizational structure, and managing change; and (5) environmental issues,…

This continuing education curriculum and related materials are designed to provide library professionals with a general orientation to the issues and process of negotiating and successfully securing an automation contract. The course syllabus includes the following topics: (1) definition and objectives of a contract; (2) why vendors typically have…

Description of history and founding of Mary S. Calderone Library of Sex Information and Education Council of United States (SIECUS) includes staffing, collection, users, services, computerization plans. Also detailed are library's contribution to SIECIS' bimonthly periodical, convening an Audio-Visual Review Panel, and evaluation and writing of…

Discusses rationale for the conversion of a card catalog to an online system in a special library owning approximately 4,000 titles. Equipment, software, and procedures are described, and pros and cons, costs, and personnel needs involved in use of microcomputer for such a project are outlined. Nine references are cited. (EJS)

Discusses the need to include communication skills as a component of training sessions for library staff who will be serving patrons using online catalogs and databases. Specific points that should be covered in training sessions are identified and training methods are suggested. (eight references) (CLB)

This paper examines the relocation of Athabasca University, an open-access, distance education institution, from Edmonton to Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, and the effect of that move on the library. Factors that helped make the move successful are discussed, including the 5-year institutional planning process; a government grant for the purchase of…

Identifies and discusses seven critical issues in the implementation and maintenance of a library automation staff training program: timing, a modular learning approach, training location, trainers, documentation, lesson reinforcement, and continuity. An appendix describes some of the options available for computer assisted training programs.…

Originally written for use by Queens College Library (New York) Technical Services staff members, this manual is designed to increase efficiency and accuracy through the programming of function keys to execute commonly used NOTIS acquisitions and cataloging functions. The manual provides suggestions for expediting NOTIS operations based on IBM…

Northwestern University Library's 10 1/2 years of experience with computer support for technical services is used to provide a long-term view in this analysis of the impact of automation on staffing. Technical services staff allocations and reductions, the resulting improvements in services, and the savings in salaries are discussed. (Author/EM)

Basic options for the automation of management functions in the school library media center are the circulation system, the online catalog, the acquisitions system, and the serials check-in. In order to select the most appropriate system, library media specialists must: (1) research both the library's needs and the technologies available, and (2)…

This proceedings of the 1986 conference of the Association of College and Research Libraries contains 60 papers--44 position papers, 7 research reports, and 9 idea briefs--dealing with the issue of transitions facing librarians and ways to respond to these transitions through both formal and informal means. Papers are organized under eight broad…

Providing a customized disaster response plan to assist libraries in quick recovery, this resource also outlines step to minimize damage and protect materials before trouble strikes. The first section of the book, "Response," contains information how to handle small jobs in-house and suggestions for working with contractors--with an…

The MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) format allows the capability of accessing library catalog records by any piece of information found in the catalog record. A library's MARC database is its most expensive investment in library automation, and the most crucial factor in the success of the library's automation. Intended for librarians or…