In preparation for its Five-Year Plan for the years 2008 through 2012, the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services has reviewed a variety of information resources, including studies, publications, surveys and stakeholder meetings, to assist in understanding the state, its people, its future and the potential role of libraries. This…

This paper identifies the nature and extent of backlogs in OhioLINK libraries, how these backlogs are controlled and managed, and who has knowledge of what is contained in these backlogs. Using survey methodology, data were collected from the heads of cataloging and collection development departments of the OhioLINK libraries through…

INCOLSA, Indiana's statewide library and information network was established in 1995 as the result of a voluntary merger of the state's 10 autonomous, mulitype library services agencies. An evaluation was conducted centered on services appearing under three major goals listed in the 1994 plan: (1) statewide information access and delivery; (2)…

To study the effect of fees for interlibrary resource sharing, data were collected on all requests made to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (SHSW) during a period when no charges were in effect (representing a normal baseline); during a period when the charges were announced, but not assessed; and during a period in which charges were in…

This study of rural libraries in Idaho was designed to identify appropriate alternative local revenue sources to support library services as well as ways of improving the coordination and delivery of library services in the state and extending library access to unserved areas. Data were gathered from U.S. Bureau of the Census reports and special…

Noting that the rapid evolution of telecommunications technology, the relentless advancement of computing capabilities, and the seemingly endless proliferation of electronic data have had a profound impact on research libraries, this Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit explores the extent to which these technologies have come…

Traditionally, libraries have had a role of providing equitable access for those who might not otherwise have access, and this role continues today in implementing access to electronic resources. However, there are special problems in applying this mission to prison libraries. A short history of automation in prison libraries is followed by a…

This summary reports the results of the 1986 Survey of States and Territories conducted by the New York State Library for the White House Conference on Library and Information Services Task Force (WHCLIST). The survey focused on public awareness of library services, the importance of library cooperation and networking, the crucial need for…

This final report describes the Inter-Agency Collaboration pilot project of the Wheatland Regional Library among the information providers within its boundaries. The project had four objectives: (1) to initiate discussion between participants about the mandate, roles, and services available to their clients; (2) to raise the image of public…