Because of the high incidence of special-collections thefts and embezzlements during the past decade, library management must reassess its "user friendly" philosophy for both library patrons and employees. An internal control system is described. Causes of theft, and policies and procedures for protecting the collection are discussed. (AEF)

Describes the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) advisory committees in terms of research, public, college and university, and special libraries. All four of the type-of-library advisory groups work to shape OCLC policies and programs, according to the particular needs of each group. OCLC's financial and programmatic success depends upon…

This theme issue contains eight papers that were originally presented at a conference sponsored by the University of Oklahoma Libraries on library acquisitions. Highlights include budgeting problems in academic libraries; maintaining research library collections; monograph collections in scientific libraries; vendors' perspectives; electronic…

Addresses the problems of how theft in libraries and archives is discovered, the proper aims of any recovery plan, actions that must included in the recovery plan, and the impact of a theft and recovery effort on the department. Offers concrete solutions vital to any recovery effort. (AEF)

This theme issue presents eight articles that discuss managing changes in technical services in academic, research, and public libraries. Topics discussed include new technological products and services; personnel; budgeting; planning; online library systems; the relationship with public services; organizational structures; bibliographic access…

Discusses serials cancellations; reviews library collection assessment policies and reasons for assessment studies; describes a survey of academic health sciences libraries that examined serials cancellation projects, including the decision-making process, regional or national cooperation, and the methodology used; and explains a generic serials…

Reports on a survey of university libraries that gathered data on the effects of replacing an existing automated system with a new one, i.e., NOTIS. General library automation and management statistics are reported, changes in staffing patterns and personnel are described, changes in organizational structure are discussed, and training needs are…

Discussion of the decline in the purchasing power of academic libraries' acquisitions budgets focuses on why and how the acquisitions budget should be integrated into the broader library and institutional budgeting and planning process to help manage the costs of scholarly communication. Highlights include collection development and remodeling the…

Describes the dimensions and components of expert systems and their applications in libraries. Discussion of ways in which the productivity of library public services could be improved by using expert systems focuses on reference and bibliographic instruction applications. (four references) (MES)

Describes problems facing academic libraries today concerning the amount of literature and information available, costs, copyright issues affecting ownership, and technological changes. Strategies for dealing with diminishing funds and increasing information resources are suggested, and activities at the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)…

Summarizes the responses of research library directors to the Library of Congress' Network Advisory Committee statement, which stresses an egalitarian network environment. The special role of research libraries and the effect on their participation in local area and multitype networks are discussed. (6 references) (CLB)

Reviews the history of the relationship between OCLC and the regional networks, and examines current stresses in this relationship. Strategies that might be used to preserve this partnership are suggested. (1 reference) (Author/CLB)

Considers the challenge of leading a research library that is between directors. Discusses issues involved in the transitional period of "acting" directorship. Outlines recommendations for acting directors: seek advice; negotiate well in the beginning; consider the staff; state an objective; build consensus; and consider cautiously the candidacy…

Discusses changes that are occurring in academic libraries as they try to keep up with the growth in sources of information. Topics discussed include acquisitions; interlibrary loan; new technologies in libraries; library expenditures; library staff; collection development; and the need to redefine the library's role to that of an information…

Eight articles address topics related to development and fund raising in libraries: philanthropy; public relations and fund raising; special events and fund raising; finding donors; annual funds in academic libraries; library capital campaigns; a public library endowment campaign; and planned giving. An introduction to the articles and a 244-item…