This article explores the closing of the Howard Ross Library of Management at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. We hypothesized that closing a branch library would result in a decline in the use of library services. We measured library service using circulation statistics, library instruction workshop statistics, and data from the online survey…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of The Bridging Worlds Conference which was held in October 2008 in Singapore. Design/methodology/approach: One of the main topics the National Library Board of Singapore, the organising party, wished to address was the roles cultural institutions, such as libraries, may play in…

Contains the complete questionnaire used in an international survey to determine the range of responsibilities of national libraries and to identify specific roles which may warrant further investigation. A summary of replies is included. (FM)

Following a brief review of the current Louisiana library system at all levels (both public and private), needs, goals, objectives, and implementation suggestions are made in the following areas: personnel; library materials; service to the disadvantaged, the blind and physically handicapped, and the health and correctional institutions;…

This selective review of the Library of Congress (LC) prepared by the Advisory Group on Libraries in 1976 makes recommendations from the perspective of the library community. It emphasizes the general educational and cultural role of the LC, stressing the importance of making the public aware of LC services to expose the concept of the LC as…

Summarizes the responses of research library directors to the Library of Congress' Network Advisory Committee statement, which stresses an egalitarian network environment. The special role of research libraries and the effect on their participation in local area and multitype networks are discussed. (6 references) (CLB)

Reviews the history of the relationship between OCLC and the regional networks, and examines current stresses in this relationship. Strategies that might be used to preserve this partnership are suggested. (1 reference) (Author/CLB)

Presents a model for predicting and shaping the impact of information technologies on libraries and the library role which is based on the effects of computerization in various business applications. The library network at AT&T Bell Laboratories is described as an example of a successful implementation of the model. (CLB)

The current interaction among federal libraries and information centers was examined and assessed to determine ways to improve the coordination of resources and services among federal libraries and to increase cooperation between federal and non-federal libraries in order to meet national, state, and local information needs. The more than 400…

Examines methodologies underlying studies which measure the information economy and considers their applicability and limitations for analyzing policy issues concerning libraries and library networks. Two studies provide major focus for discussion: Porat's "The Information Economy: Definition and Measurement" and Machlup's…

Over the past 10 years, many changes have affected the roles of librarians and other professionals in research libraries. The changes have been caused, in part, by technological advances, reorganizations, more focus on libraries as learning organizations, the use of teams and team-based approaches to tasks, and a recognition of diversity's…

A study was performed for the Colorado State Library to assess the current status of resource sharing--i.e., interlibrary loan (ILL), reference referral, and document delivery--among Colorado librarians, for the purpose of creating a benchmark for evaluating current services and for making recommendations for improvements in these areas. Four…

This study of the role of the Library of Congress (LC) in the emerging national information network analyzed data gathered from 23 libraries and network organizations, and found that LC should assume leadership in network development activities by performing the major coordinating role in applying technology and acquiring funding for the technical…

This report presents the research and findings of the 16-member Task Force on the Role of the Special Library in Nationwide Networks and Cooperative Programs. Four working groups studied the following issues: constituencies; network legislation; benefits, barriers, and constraints to and from special library participation in networks; and the…

This set of nine papers on special library concerns includes papers presented by participants from Canada, Denmark, East Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Papers are entitled: "The Needs of the Special Librarian and the Library Association," by Miriam H. Tees; "Position and Development of Special Libraries within…