Describes the framework in which the research library at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) reengineered its technical services operations. Focuses on the activities of the "Before Team" in evaluating, measuring, and redesigning the work processes that occur before the library receives an item. Discusses the results. (Author/AEF)

The issue of the permanent absence of some countries and/or libraries in the Preservation and Conservation sessions at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has been raised in years past. Within Europe, contributions from South Europe have been scarce. This paper discusses responses to a survey of national…

The librarian is presented with a foundation for decision making as it relates to the physical processing of nonprint materials, and with a demonstration of how these decisions move from theoretical to practical physical processing issues. Such issues include packaging and repackaging; treating accompanying materials; labeling; preparing…

Discusses the relationship between library collection development and preservation staff within the context of the University of Arizona library. Topics addressed include organizational structure, training, and revising collection development procedures. Results of a preservation planning study that examined the environment, collection condition,…

Austin Community College's Learning Resource Services (LRS) is made up of the Learning Resource Centers (LRC's) which house library, media, and computer-based instruction departments; LRS Technical services; and the LRS Telecommunications Center. LRS operations are offered at 10 different sites including full-service campus LRC's, limited-service…

Describes the extent to which professional activity of library and information professionals is evident in the management of digital collections. Analyzes the digital collections of 11 randomly selected public libraries to determine patterns of professional practice, such as collection development or organization and representation of digital…

A selection of academic libraries was studied to examine ownership of best-sellers from 1940 to 1990. The trend is to keep a higher percentage of older best-sellers in fiction than newer ones. Nonfiction appears to be more sporadic but still follows this trend. Findings indicate new collection development policies may be needed to protect…

This summary of Nebraska library statistics for the 1996-1997 fiscal year is a compilation of data reported by 225 public libraries. Of these reporting libraries, 74% meet the state guidelines required for accreditation and are eligible for direct state aid and federal grants. Sixty-seven pages of statistical charts are divided according to the…

Continues a longitudinal study begun in 1993 of serial cancellations at five midwestern academic research libraries. Discusses cancellation overlap, titles at risk for cancellation, science versus humanities titles, rate of cancellations, serial orders versus cancellations, and language and place of publication. (LRW)

A survey at the University of Kansas Libraries was conducted to provide statistical information on the physical condition of the Slavic materials collection. Results revealed the condition of these collections should be cause for serious concern; however, the problems could be overcome through careful preservation planning and interlibrary…

These proceedings contain 21 research reports and 56 position papers as well as capsule descriptions of 32 workshop forums, panel presentations, and group discussions that took place at the conference. The papers are organized into nine broad subject areas: (1) academic and research librarianship (recruitment, technology and change, faculty…

Discusses the need for Spanish language materials in public libraries, and describes support systems that aid in the selection of materials. A directory of 50 vendors of Spanish language books, with brief information about the scope of materials and services they make available, is provided. (CLB)

This study discusses the costs and benefits of vertical files and analyzes the results of a survey sent to 171 academic libraries that investigated vertical file practices. Topics include usefulness and user satisfaction; processing problems; access to vertical file material; and future possibilities. (Author/LRW)

Describes a project at the library of the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University that developed an expert system to conserve professional staff time and reduce processing costs by allowing gifts, or donations, to be processed by support staff. Decision-making factors are explained, and performance statistics are discussed.…

This survey examined whether recent changes in the accessibility of bibliographic records and electronic access has led to an emerging pattern in the way that documents are organized into four areas: (1) general questions; (2) technical services; (3) collections and public services; and (4) changes in the organization of documents service.…