Presents a conceptual model of the information activities of the research library of the future. The future boundary conditions that will affect the library are discussed, including premises about the university, the information industry, technological developments, and governmental priorities. Steps for turning the model into reality are…

Concerned with the nontechnical aspects of flow-charting library procedures, this article pays special attention to the communication process that takes place during such an analysis and suggests how flowcharts can describe, as accurately as possible, what takes place in a given library task. (Author/RAA)

Analyzes the strategic fund-raising advantages of new and small academic libraries and provides a basis for positioning the library within campus development strategy. Defines the evolving academic library and discusses new perspectives, collaborative opportunities, flexibility and simplicity, goals, and organizational significance and donor…

Describes a theoretical instructional development model for planning college and university bibliographic instruction programs. Potential advantages of the approach are identified and specific application of the model is encouraged to gain empirical data and refine the methodology. Ten references are listed. (RAA)

The first of two articles discusses the obstacles to and advantages of cooperative systems planning and development by a team of academic librarians and computing center staff. The second examines the differences in funding approaches to libraries and computer centers, and budgetary problems involved when the two organizations share computer…

Examines system for safeguarding assets and guaranteeing reliability of library's financial records within context of management functions that comprise accounting controls: planning by budget or other standard of comparison; operation of effective accounting and record-keeping system; personnel management practices. Cash controls as example of…

Several reference librarians respond to the Hernon and McClure study on the accuracy of library reference services. Highlights include problems with the methodology used (unobtrusive observation), and performance factors not addressed by the study. Comments by Hernon and McClure address these responses and ways to improve reference services are…

Types of performance evaluation for academic librarians are discussed, noting strengths and weaknesses--formats, relative ranking system, dimensionalized ranking system, management by objectives, and degree of participation. Use of appraisal program to aid library administration in monitoring ongoing activity, planning ahead, and motivating…

Describes a library-subsidized walk-in service at Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University, which provides computer-generated bibliographies to undergraduate students at very low cost. Undergraduate needs, models, planning the service (parameters, fees, database selection, promotion), an initial evaluation of the program, and modifications of…

Reports on initiatives being taken by the Association of Research Libraries, University of Pittsburgh, Research Libraries Group, and Center for Research Libraries in response to development of collection management in academic librarianship, and comments on issues emerging from these initiatives--use documentation, cooperation, and paperless…

Describes the process and results of the development of a set of systematic and formalized learning objectives for teaching and evaluating online catalog use which stemmed from research project conducted at Northwestern University. Planning principles, program evaluation, and adoption of educational models are noted. Learning objectives are…

Reviews issues cited in "A Nation at Risk" and other studies calling for educational reform, and discusses the role of libraries in general, and academic libraries in particular, in improving education in the United States. Library programs at three universities, involving information literacy, research skills, and peer counseling, are…

Describes a survey that examined the effects of increasing serial subscription costs on American and Canadian research libraries. Strategies adopted by libraries are described, including faculty and campus involvement, retrenchment, long range planning, and shared resources. Relationships with publishers and the possible impact of electronic…

Identifies and discusses the eight principal functions necessary for effective collection management in academic research libraries. Six organizational models for collection management are described, and then evaluated according to how well each may facilitate those eight functions of effective management. (Author/CLB)