This article derives from a review of key challenges confronted by libraries that are actively investing in online collections and services. Conducted in the first instance to help refine programmatic goals of the Digital Library Federation (DLF), it took account of digital library developments, successes, needs, and challenges perceived by…

Reports on results of an exploratory study of perceptions of collections by librarians in an academic library that provides both traditional and networked information services. Five librarians from a Midwestern university library were interviewed. Findings indicated an uncertainty about the virtual world in two particular areas: collection and…

The rationale for developing a phone book collection is discussed and the procedures for building the collection are outlined. (SM)

Profile of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress--which houses one of the world's greatest collections of rare books--includes a brief history, acquisitions, library services and users, processing and preservation of rare books, and the library's mission. (EJS)

Examines traditional systems of information service in Australia and comments on how these methods fit with the notions of national resource sharing and self-sufficiency. Discusses the Scientific Serials in Australian Libraries (SSAL), searching other organizations for materials, ILANET (Information Libraries Access Network) mail server,…

Discusses the public service needs of manuscript, archive, and large monograph microform collections based on the format of the original materials. The need for additional technical service, particularly cataloging, is addressed. References are listed. (CHC)

Describes the facilities, collections, and services of the following special libraries in New York City: Shea and Gould Library; American Foundation for the Blind; Brooklyn Museum; Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Library; Public Relations of American Information Center; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Brooklyn Public Library Business…

Profile of the Houston Public Library, which was established in 1904, covers the opening of a new central library building in 1976, library services and collections, the building of branch libraries including a portable mall facility, information and referral programs to ethnic groups and business, and development of library automated systems.…

Discusses the results of an analysis of the reference process in which behavioral outcomes were distinguished from the causal factors that inhibit the delivery of reference service. Data on reference services in 16 libraries are analyzed and presented in five figures and three tables. A 26-item reference list is included. (JL)

The history of the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association is traced from the creation of the individual adult and reference service divisions through the merger that formed RASD. Focuses on the origin, structure, and activities of the division and on the individuals responsible for the development of RASD.…

Reports findings of Project ACORN (Access to COurse Readings Across Networks) an eLib-funded project eliciting views of publishers on issues associated with electronic short-loan collections and the policies/procedures for granting copyright clearance. Findings show little consensus in policies and views; publishers wary of electronic environment;…

Planned Parenthood Federation of America was established in 1916 to fulfill the need to provide family planning information and services to women. The Katharine Dexter McCormick Library serves organizational goals by publishing family planning bibliographies, performing literature searches on in-house database, and providing reference services to…

Discussion of implications of highly decentralized nature of local government for collection of local documents highlights meaning of access, effect of local government environment on access to local government information, library responses, and tools that can assist libraries in increasing citizen and government access to local government…

Provides description of the Dag Hammarskjold Library which serves the information needs of a multinational, multilingual community of 157 United Nations member states. A brief history of the library, its statement of purpose, library acquisition and collections, reference services, United Nations agencies, and depository library are highlighted.…

Discusses a dilemma facing government documents librarians as a result of the multitude and complexity of presently available indexing aids to government publications: how to provide the library users with the means for understanding sophisticated access tools and enhanced collections. A 13-entry reference list is included. (Author/JL)