Information needs are growing more rapidly than the abilities of research libraries and information centers to meet them. Two reasons and their influence on information systems are discussed: a shift in scientific endeavor from basic science to applied, leading to the emergence of programmatic research; and the technology of science itself. (16…

This last in a series of articles on scholarly communications and serials prices presents three viewpoints on serials publishing contributed by Ronald Dow, Karen Hunter, and Gregory Lozier. Topics discussed include serials pricing and library budgets, overseas publishers, copyright issues, electronic journals, how to meet the needs of the scholar,…

Discusses the organization of academic libraries and considers the question of centralization versus branch or departmental libraries. Issues that are raised include cost, administrative difficulties, interdisciplinary access, user expectations and demands, the role of faculty, and prospects for the future in light of technological developments.…