In April 2010, the New York State Board of Regents challenged the library community to rethink the State's vast array of library services to ensure that they are aligned with modern expectations and the expanded functions needed in today's society, operate with improved efficiency, and are prepared for the future as an essential and vibrant part…

Ongoing electronic resource purchases represent a substantial proportion of collections budgets. Recognizing the necessity of systematic ongoing assessment with full selector engagement, Columbia University Libraries appointed an Electronic Resources Assessment Working Group to promote the inclusion of such resources within our current culture of…

In these difficult economic times, everyone is on the lookout for savings. This author, an adult services librarian at New City Library in New York, has spent the last two years implementing small-scale open source and freeware replacements where proprietary or paper solutions once ruled. While none of these projects is individually revolutionary,…

Automated scoring has the potential to dramatically reduce the time and costs associated with the assessment of complex skills such as writing, but its use must be validated against a variety of criteria for it to be accepted by test users and stakeholders. This study addresses two validity-related issues regarding the use of e-rater® with the…

This article demonstrates how Facebook, a popular social networking Web site, provides libraries with the opportunity to develop an outreach presence and information portal within an online community. While much of the recent literature examines Facebook and defines its potential use within libraries, this article focuses on the use of Facebook's…

The simplified systems for cataloging and classifying exhibition catalogs used at the Marlborough Gallery Library and the Wildenstein Gallery Library in New York are discussed, with emphasis on the brief kind of bibliographic information and other points of access needed in a non-research oriented library. (Author)

Describes the usage and advantages of microcomputers as an alternative to manual processing when the Great Neck Library minicomputer-based automated circulation system goes down for maintenance or repair. (RAA)

Prepared by the Statewide Automation Committee of the New York State Education Department, this plan outlines strategic directions for library automation development in New York, as supported by state and federal funds, through the year 1989. This plan comprises 20 recommendations for accomplishing a three-part automation program: (1) statewide…

An invitational conference, attended by 200 library executives, practitioners and persons from allied fields, was held to explore progress and problems in library development in New York State. Special consideration was given to: (1) the application of data processing techniques for reference and research and (2) the improvement of information…

Simplifying and securing an IT infrastructure is not easy. It frequently requires rethinking years of hardware and software investments, and a gradual migration to modern systems. Even so, writes the author, universities can take six practical steps to success: (1) Audit software infrastructure; (2) Evaluate current applications; (3) Centralize…

CONCERN OVER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS LED TO A CONFERENCE HELD APRIL 2-4, 1964 AT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY--(1) WHAT POTENTIAL DO NEW TECHNOLOGIES HAVE FOR SOLVING SOME OF THE URGENT PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND (2) HOW CAN AN AUTOMATED SYSTEMS APPROACH, SPECIFICALLY OPERATIONS RESEARCH, BE APPLIED TO DEVELOP NEW DIMENSIONS FOR RESEARCH THAT…

This document contains eight papers by American participants in the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Seminar on Access to Library Resources through Technology and Preservation: (1) "The Automation of Libraries and Information Services in the United States" (Richard De Gennaro); (2) "Databases: Issues in the Bibliographic Control of Information in a…

THIS SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE--(1) THE OPTIMUM NUMBER OF PROCESSING CENTERS FOR THE NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY SYSTEMS AND (2) THE BEST METHOD FOR DEVELOPING CATALOGS FOR THE LIBRARIES. MAJOR FINDINGS WERE--THAT CATALOGING DIFFERENCES AMONG THE SYSTEMS WERE NOT GREAT, THERE WAS A CURVILINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF ITEMS PROCESSED…

Problems and opportunities resulting from the implementation of the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR 2) are examined in 12 essays by a representative sample of librarians at various New York State public, community college, college, and school libraries. Eight papers relate specifically to implementation experiences at these…

This report presents the findings of a survey of personnel changes resulting from the installation of electronic-data processing equipment. It is concerned primarily with (1) the nature and source of staff in electronic-data processing units, and (2) the extent and nature of staff displacements resulting from the introduction of electronic-data…