Six myths regarding libraries are discussed: libraries are at center of intellectual life; book is sacred; libraries are responsive to information needs of various publics; objective evaluation is common decision-making practice; librarianship model fosters active client-oriented behaviors; library school education alone provides sufficient…

Concludes that most college libraries do not meet ACRL standards criteria for collection size, development, staff, and budget. This study is based on data obtained from the 1977 Higher Education General Information Surveys by the National Center for Education Statistics. References are provided. (RAA)

Describes results of a survey that was conducted to compile statistical data on collection growth and library expenditures in academic libraries. Data from liberal arts college libraries are compared with data from members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), library statistics are discussed, and significant trends are described. (32…

Written from perspective of the president of a graduate research-oriented university, the author explores nature of the academic library, its size and structure, retrenchment as it affects acquisitions and services, and issue of who makes decisions concerning the library. Space and budgetary problems at the University of Oregon are discussed.…

Discussion of way in which books have functioned within framework of American librarianship highlights acquisition of books (libraries attempting to fill needs of everyone in geographical area, libraries devoted to filling needs of self-selected part of society, libraries devoted to collecting particular subject), and role of private collector of…

Reports the results of a survey of liberal arts college libraries which focused on the collections, facilities, and personnel of science libraries. Responses from colleges with strong science programs (i.e., research colleges) are compared with data received from other liberal arts colleges. Four figures and one table are provided. (SD)

Describes collection evaluation tool available to Research Libraries Group (RLG) institutions which provides overview, arranged by subject, of existing collection strengths and future collecting intensities of RLG members. Antecedents of the tool and an online version are discussed. Seven references, definitions of collecting levels, and language…

Describes experience gained by applying philosophical principles to library serials cooperation between two academic libraries. Philosophical views concerning cooperation; conditions leading to success of the project; serials survey of selected faculty members from English, biology, and economics departments; and proposals based on computer…

Reports results of study measuring stack capacity at seven University of California medical and science libraries. Data collection, size of library collections, sample shelf measurements and volume widths, overall results, differences among libraries, time differences between old and new materials, and stack capacity estimates are highlighted.…

Discusses collection development policy as means to express and systematize guidelines for collection building that fulfill three basic functions: the referential, the generative, the rhetorical. Division of policy into subject categories, and use of "collection levels" to rank the collection and collecting effort for each subject are…

Discusses a paradigm for academic librarianship that requires greater sensitivity to and identification with needs of library users. Centrality of library academic community is questioned, noting insistence of librarians on independent status of library and failure of bibliographic instruction programs to make issue of critical thinking top…

This paper contrasts myths (false beliefs) and realities of two points of view concerning the role of the college library in learning--primary role, or secondary support role to classroom learning. Skills learned in using a college library are highlighted as necessary to acquiring an education and for lifelong learning. (EJS)

Four papers present remarks concerning: (1) development of separate standards for archives, rare books, and manuscript collections; (2) impact of standards on administration of repositories; (3) factors relating to integrated management structures for special collections departments; and (4) relationships of manuscript collections, archives, and…

Presents overview of common characteristics and problems of academic libraries in China which operate under rules issued from the central government in Beijing. Discussion covers building design, furniture and equipment, budgets and salaries, personnel management, collection development, library materials, use rate, effects of the Cultural…

Discusses the relationship between data and the recipient, and the academic library and its institutional information systems. Examples are drawn from the sciences, including medicine, because of their greater intensity of experimentation and change in information management. New roles for libraries and librarians are highlighted. (EJS)