As managers of special collections engage with evolving formats and technologies, it is imperative that these professionals remain well versed in papyrus, paper, and principles that inform archival work. The permanence of this content defines our past, informs our present, and shapes our future. However, a constricting interpretation of archival…

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…

Discusses the background and theory of the Critical Success Factors (CSF) management method, as well as its application in an information center or other special library environment. CSF is viewed as a management tool that can enhance the viability of the special library within its parent organization. (FM)

Chris Dodge, a renowned alternative pressologist and the librarian at "Utne" magazine, has been known to say, "Every library should be a special library." In order to meet this challenge, the librarians at Barnard College decided to start a collection of underground publications known as zines. In this article, the author describes how librarians…

Associations of special libraries in Hungary are being developed to provide universal availability of published works on a national and international level. While most library legislation recognizes considerations, concerns of document security, copyright, reprography and computerized services are also matters of legislative importance,…

Describes problems faced by late medieval libraries during period of transition from the manuscript to the printed book. A translation of a manual created for a Swiss monastery circa 1520 provides information on librarian's duties, arrangement of the library, procedures for inventorying and cataloging, circulation, and public services. (31…

Describes the benefits and drawbacks of the use of OCLC in the one-person library at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Cataloging functions, interlibrary loan, retrospective catalog conversion, dial access to online databases, and training problems are discussed. (JL)

Discusses three management concepts that can be used by special librarians or information management specialists to achieve excellence in information delivery: total quality management (TQM), quality information management (QIM), and the ideas in the Special Libraries Association's (SLA) "Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st…

This salary survey of special libraries throughout New York State presents earnings for librarians and associated personnel employed by corporate, academic, government agency, public, and other institutions as of January 1979. Most chief librarians earn between $15,000 and $24,999 while the range for all others falls between $10,000 and $19,999.…

This report outlines the Metropolitan Washington Library Council's 14-month program to develop and evaluate a continuing education curriculum designed to improve the managerial effectiveness of special librarians. Objectives included determining the management training needs of Washington area special librarians, developing a series of four…

Examines issues of special library management and the emphases in SLA (Special Libraries Association) continuing education courses dealing with these issues. Five courses taught for SLA are described, including one-day courses on management communications, delegation, and effective supervisory skills, as well as seminars dealing with human…

Distinguishes five main categories of special libraries in Singapore: those of private organizations, foreign governments, government departments, statutory boards, and regional organizations. Statistical data are provided for library holdings, professional staff employment, and subject profiles, and suggestions for improving various aspects of…

In 1905, Library of Congress Processing Services had about 100 employees in 2 divisions: Catalog and Order. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress since 1899, cataloging chief James Hanson, and chief classifier Charles Martel were engaged in restoring order to library's collections and centralizing cataloging activity for entire country. (41…

The use of volunteers in special libraries is advocated in this report, which cites positive reasons for including volunteers among the library staff. (Bringing on volunteers during a budget crunch is not considered to be a positive reason.) The special library's relationship with the larger organization's volunteer department is mentioned as a…

This overview of developments in programs and projects funded under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) in FY 1979 also provides information on the administrative expenses and procedures of the Library Development Division of the Texas State Library in allocating these funds. Brief summaries reporting progress in each area are…