Many school administrators and librarians offer students opportunities to hone social skills while they research, read, and learn in libraries. Recently, transforming traditional libraries into spaces known as "learning commons" has become a popular way to match the social and academic preferences of students with numerous technological…

Libraries have become increasingly interested in studying the use of spaces within their buildings. Traditional methods for tracking library building use, such as gate counts, provide little information on what patrons do once they are in the library; therefore, new methods for studying space usage are being developed. Particularly promising are…

Faced with task duplication in its public branch libraries, the Library Council of Victoria, Australia, undertook a feasibility study called Technilib to determine whether a central cataloging and processing bureau should be established. Consultants considered the practicality and expense of introducing a centralized cataloging service using the…

Presents a multifaceted approach to identifying facility needs in academic libraries that applies different evaluation methods to different functional areas, defines problems from more than one viewpoint, and considers the interrelationships of various areas. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are discussed using examples from its…

Describes a study of 81 community college libraries or learning centers to determine the extent that organizational structures had changed as a result of implementing automated library systems and to explore the changing relationship between libraries and computer centers. Finds minimal changes in structures among participants. (11 citations) (MAB)

The Council on Library Resources, which for many years has identified library issues and developed new approaches to library operations, is interested in addressing the challenges public libraries face in an era of information revolution. Through a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Council has established a program to study innovation…

A user attitude survey was conducted in the main library at the University of Oklahoma before and after the opening of a new library wing which effectively doubled the size of the main library. At the time of the opening of the new wing, the circulation department began using a new computer system for circulation of the general collection. The…

This self-study by the University Libraries at the University of California, Riverside, involved the efforts of 35 staff members over a period of 11 months. Task forces were organized according to five issues: Role of the Library in the Future in Its Commitment to Public Services; Service Performance and Service Needs; Technology and Public…

This planning document projects the needs, activities, and performance goals for the University of California's library system. The first four chapters provide a historical overview of the university and its library system; an analysis of the functions of the libraries; a discussion of the need for a new approach to the system's organization,…

Discusses results of interviews with reference librarians that were conducted to investigate the effects of electronic reference options such as CD-ROM and OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogs). The work environment is described; changes in library instruction are considered; and the changing nature of reference work is discussed, including users'…

Prison libraries present a growing employment opportunity for librarians, but there is little statistical or descriptive information about prison libraries. A survey was conducted of Ohio prison libraries to create a profile and increase appreciation and understanding of them. Information was collected about library users, types of materials,…

Reports results of survey of methods used by 77 North American academic and public libraries to finance implementation of new technologies, replace equipment and furniture, and renovate buildings. Financing methods used, frequency of use, choice, and range of methods are discussed. Eight references and list of survey participants are appended.…

This compilation contains copies of the following library documents that presented recent cases for new space: (1) Excerpts from "Harnessing Technologies to Unleash Their Potential" and "Kelvin Smith Library. The Electronic Learning Environment--Transforming Access to Knowledge: A Program Statement" from Case Western University…

Considering alternative physical formats for the public card catalogs currently used in the University of California at Los Angeles libraries, a study group at began by investigating six possibilities: 1) cards; 2) photographically-produced catalogs; 3) typeset-printed catalogs; 4) computer-produced catalogs; 5) microform or video catalogs; and 6)…

Discusses results of a national survey of school library media specialists and children's librarians in public libraries about reactions to their library facilities. Complaints are addressed, including lack of space, poor design, and shelving; the most heavily used areas are ranked; accommodations for technology are examined; and further research…