This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit on retrospective conversion, which replaces a 1975 kit on reclassification, is based on interviews with and documents from Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members participating in retrospective conversion (recon). (Reclassification is almost always conducted as a sub-project of…

This group of documents presents material on collection development and a list of collection intensity indicators from the Research Libraries Group (RLG), as well as examples of collection assessment techniques from seven members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). ARL member documents cover the assessment of art periodical,…

A review of cooperative collection development activities among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions indicates that many are involved with local, statewide, or regional consortia that develop and operate one or more fairly traditional cooperative programs. This kit contains 11 documents illustrating cooperative activities:…

Results from a 1978 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey on planning for, and conversion to automated acquisitions systems, and the effects of such systems on library operations and use, organization and staffing, and management information, indicate that 38 of 77 responding libraries had instituted some kind of automated acquisitions.…

This kit presents the results of a survey conducted by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in 1974 to investigate and document various experiences of academic and research libraries in reclassifying portions of collections or entire collections and the relationship between libraries' particular classification schemes on effective…

Results of a 1978 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey indicated that 68 (89%) of responding libraries utilized an automated cataloging system. Of those 68, 53 participated in the Ohio College Library Center (OCLC), five in BALLOTS, and the rest in other networks or local systems. At the beginning of this collection, a concise summary…

This 11-document kit introduces the current and planned uses of telecommunications facilities in the computerized information systems of several research libraries, public libraries, and library groups contacted in 1983. The first two documents are excerpts from reports on networks: "Telecommunications: An Overview for OCLC," and…

A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey indicated that nearly all respondents viewed enhanced access to needed information and service capabilities as the primary benefit of resource sharing. Most responding libraries participated in more than one type of resource sharing activity, ranging from informal understandings among a few…

In February 1993, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) conducted a survey of its members to compile information on cooperative collection development programs for the acquisition of foreign materials in ARL libraries. Responses were received from 86 of the 119 libraries surveyed. Twenty-five respondents report that they participate in…

In preparation for a 2-day workshop on the potential for library automation in Maine, comments regarding expectations for the workshop, specific questions, and concerns were solicited from librarians throughout Maine. This document comprises written testimony received by the solicitor. Among the issues addressed are: needs and desires in the area…

Based on telephone interviews with 12 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, this report presents the underlying reasons for the libraries' decisions relating to the design and implementation of automated library systems. The survey results are summarized, a list of respondents is provided, and profiles of present and planned…

Prepared for distribution to participants in the Pennsylvania Governor's Forums on Library and Information Services, this booklet contains the following items: letters of welcome from Governor Robert Casey and Barbara Bruno, Chair of the Steering Committee; an agenda; and descriptions of Pennsylvania's libraries, its statewide library service, and…

The 28 essays in this collection provide an overview of research in library/information science (LIS), present a practical context of such research, and consider related issues and concerns. The essays are: (1) "The Elusive Nature of Research in LIS" (Peter Hernon); (2) "Guides to Conducting Research in Library and Information Science" (Ronald R.…