Why is it such a struggle to define and capture measures that convey to decision makers the value of libraries' services and programs to the communities, campuses, corporations, or organizations? To be honest, there are a number of reasons for this struggle--all of which can be addressed and, most importantly, solved. First, one has to face…

This user's guide was developed to advance local planning at ARL member libraries. It is written for library leaders writ large and for anyone leading or contributing to research library planning processes. Users do not need advanced facilitation skills to benefit from this guide, but facilitators charged with supporting scenario planning will…

Trinity University has established effective strategies for engaging faculty, administrators, and staff in information literacy instruction and assessment. Succeeding in an area in which many libraries struggle, the Coates Library at Trinity University offers a model for libraries seeking to actively engage their campuses through 1) establishing a…

Library customers have more remote information choices than ever before, so we must ensure that when they do come to the library, they experience a welcoming environment, a high standard of service, and receive equitable levels of service across campus. Developing a customer service program was a logical next step to reinforce the ongoing…

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…

This document is the annual report of the Minnesota State Law Library. The report is divided into two main sections. In the first section, "Year in Review," accomplishments and statistical summaries are presented for the administration, outreach services, public services, and technical services departments. In addition, the following are…

Discusses factors that contribute to Santa Monica Public Library's excellence, including supportive city government and citizenry, city council, library board, lean top management, and the basic management team. Specific management principles and techniques, public relations, and measures of service at Beverly Hills Public Library are also…

A workshop held at the University of California at San Diego's research library focused on improving the quality of goal-based self-reviews as a training approach for performance management. Participants benefited from the mixed groupings of librarians and paraprofessionals and from the detailed look at individual goals and objectives. (three…

Describes management experiences at University of California--Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Minnesota Biomedical Library, and California Institute of Technology. Discussions include development of ORION (UCLA's online technical processing and information system); organizational changes occurring as result of large-scale automation;…

This annual report of the Digital Library Federation describes projects initiated in response to the following program priorities: (1) focus attention on libraries of materials that are born digital, including a social science data workshop and guides to quality in visual resource imaging; (2) integrate digital materials into the fabric of…

Describes a project in which 15 public libraries in the Bay Area Library and Information System undertook simultaneous local planning using the Public Library Development Program planning and role setting process. Areas discussed include planning team workshops and meetings, implementation of the planning process, writing the planning document,…

Discusses staff behavioral problems that prove difficult for successful library management. Suggests that reasonable expectations for behavior need to be established in such areas as common courtesies, environmental issues such as temperature and noise levels, work relationships and values, diverse work styles and ways of communicating, and…

ARL is the bimonthly report on research library issues and actions from ARL (Association of Research Libraries), CNI (Coalition of Networked Information), and SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition). ARL reports on current issues of interest to academic and research library administrators, staff, and users; higher education…

Eleven articles discuss the response of library users and personnel to automation. Topics covered include computerized reference services, online public access catalogs, paraprofessional staff perceptions of technology, organizational and managerial impacts of automation, workshops on new technology, gender differences in motivation to manage and…

An experimental writing program lasting three years and four months was held in the Chicago Public Library System, for which writers-in-residence, scholars-in- residence, and other program associates presented several series focusing on the city of Chicago. Emphasis during the first year centered on the literary/historical aspect of writing in and…