For decades, declines in library reference use have been inextricably tied to technological improvements. This article asserts that reference staffing models may be a significant predictor of a decline in reference questions. Using two years of data, collected from a large public university, the researchers determined user preferences among five…

Many factors and pressures affect decisions made in UK university libraries on opening hours especially 24/7. This article reports on a project to examine the decision-making process, influential factors, and stakeholders. A workshop for senior library managers in the East Midlands was held to gather data and share experiences. From analysis of…

The growth in number and kind of online reference services has resulted in both new users consulting library research services as well as new patterns of service use. Staffing in-person and virtual reference services desks adequately requires a systematic analysis of patterns of use across service points in order to successfully meet fluctuating…

The purpose of this study was to explore the adaptive measures that academic libraries perform when implementing and operating a 24-hour schedule. Five in-depth interviews were conducted with current managerial-level librarians at 24-hour academic libraries. The exploratory interviews revealed similar measures for security, budgeting, employee…

This study categorizes 6959 reference desk transactions to determine how many of the queries require the attention of a librarian. Results indicate that 89% could likely be answered by non-librarians. From the results of this and other studies, the author explores the cost-effectiveness of staffing a traditional reference desk with librarians.…

A survey of academic libraries which were members of the Association of Research Libraries in 1983-84 studies the organizational patterns that exist for collection development. Findings reveal that, although a variety of patterns exist, the one outstanding development has been the upgrading of the unit responsible for collection development.…

Recounts the use of the industrial engineering technique known as "operational audit" to determine the staffing needs of a U.S. Air Force technical library. The methodology and evaluative techniques employed during an operational audit are discussed. Two tables and a reference list accompany the text. (JL)

Zero Based Staffing/Services (ZBS/S)--a management tool designed to portray the relationship between the people or staff of an agency and the services they perform--was used in this study to inventory library services and staffing at the Central State University Library and provide a long-range planning analysis for library and university…

This article reviews personnel administration techniques that have been used to establish work-load parameters, but offer no aid in subject deployment. A model which identifies elements that must be included in a consideration of work-load measurement and subject allocation for library collection development tasks is presented. Thirty-four…

Identifies and discusses characteristics of effective in-house studies in public libraries. Characteristics discussed include clearly stated research questions, translation into measurable terms, study design, staff training, data analysis, and targeted reporting. It is argued that studies done within existing management and communication…

Discusses techniques for reducing organizational staff while minimizing such harmful effects as layoffs, staff demoralization, and productivity losses. Case studies on the Petroleum Incentives Administration, the British Columbia Buildings Corporation, and the National Library of Canada present approaches to downsizing that utilized long range…

Presents results of survey questionnaires sent to 49 university libraries requesting information concerning work schedules for public service librarians and gives suggestions for dealing with extended hours and flexible schedules. (CWM)

The major purpose of this brief descriptive study was to determine the levels of professional and support staffing within the administrative, technical, public, and media services areas of Pennsylvania's private college libraries. The study also includes comparative data on student assistant staffing. Questionnaires were mailed to library…

Describes an evaluation of variability in the percentage of subject searching in an online catalog among branch libraries of one university. The results reported include variability by time of day, day of week, and week of semester. The value of this type of information for library administration is discussed. (CLB)

The mission of the library in the information age and the implications for human resources management are discussed in eight articles. Areas discussed include the role of library education, classification and integration of public and technical services staff, staff allocation, staff training, the role of the personnel officer, and accountability…