Respondents to "Library Journal's" ("LJ") annual book buying survey of public libraries nationwide reported that adult book budgets were down eight percent overall, the largest plunge recorded since the survey began in 1998. What's more, for the first time ever, cuts were reported for every region of the country and every size of population…

This summary of the 1988 Conference of the Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) focuses on faculty participation in academic policy formation. Association politics, the ALISE research awards program, and special interest group programs on the role of catalogers and student participation in policy formation are also…

Examines "A Planning Process for Public Libraries," published by the Public Library Association in 1980, discussing the mission of the public library, survey research and data collection, library goals and objectives, planning strategies, budgeting, the political environment, and output measures. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

Reports on discussions from the 1991 ALISE (Association for Library and Information Science Education) Annual Conference about modernizing the curricula of doctoral programs; federal funding for doctoral education; evaluating faculty performance; research on a range of topics by ALISE members; the closing of Columbia University's library program;…

Since Google announced its initiative to digitize all, or major portions, of the book collections in select research libraries, the author of this article has struggled to figure out what to think of it. This article briefly shares the authors' opinions and thoughts on Googles new initiative.

Late last year, Ohio State University (OSU) library director Joseph Branin graciously invited this author to visit for an up-close look at the William Oxley Thompson library renovation and construction project underway on his campus. He eagerly accepted. Since 2001, when he first began reporting on the project, he has been amazed by the plan, its…

The holy grail for many research librarians is one-stop searching: seamless access to all the library's resources on a topic, regardless of the source. Miriam Blake, Library Without Walls Project Leader at Los Alamos National laboratory (LANL), is making this vision a reality. Blake is part of a growing cadre of experts: a techie who is becoming a…

This brief article reports on the 12th national Association of College and Research Libraries' (ACRL) conference held April 7-10, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. William Mitchell, head of the media arts and sciences program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an architecture professor provided the conference attendees with the opening…

In 2001, Janice R. Franklin and Loretta O'Brien Parham attended a meeting of the Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) Board of Directors, an ordinary enough event. Observing the support that the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries provides its members, they realized there was no such mutual assistance program for the librarians at…

Examination of corporate donations of cash, products, service, and expertise to libraries highlights industry contributions in 1980; why corporations give; examples of corporate donations to various libraries (Brooklyn Public, New York Public, Altoona Area Public, Boston Public); planning fund-raising compaigns; and seven strategic planning…

The dilemma is one that most public librarians know well. The interlibrary loan (ILL) service over the past seven years had increased by almost 72 percent--with no end to the upward spiral in sight. Borrowing had increased 23 percent, but lending to other libraries had seen the largest growth: 106 percent. ILL staffing hadn't increased and…

Non-technical factors contributing to Triangle Research Libraries Network development are outlined: history of cooperation, common interests, Title II-C and other funding, core of advocates, and organizational structure. Contribution of these factors to overcoming obstacles (lack of funds, divergent interests, balance of power, desire for quick…

Describes underlying rationale of program designed to offer recent library school graduates special training opportunities that focus on current issues, trends, and developments in academic librarianship. Recruitment, educational component of program, roles of supervisors and project director, and comments from three residents (expectations,…

Discusses the use of document delivery by academic and research libraries and lists 28 private document delivery services frequently cited in a survey of libraries who use the services. Topics addressed include traditional interlibrary loan services; the effects of rising journal costs, restricted budgets, and staff cuts; and copyright issues.…

Discusses the changing environment in which libraries and library schools exist, noting master of library science (MLS) programs; extended programs including a field experience (University of California, University of North Carolina); post-MLS internships; and the research library residency program offered by the University of Michigan Library.…