Examines 18 library publishers' sales catalogs and sales profiles for 300 titles available from the American Library Association (ALA) in order to describe the nature of library literature. Lists of ALA best sellers for 1986-87 and pre-1986-87 are appended. (9 references) (MES)

This discussion of the development of library reference service standards and guidelines for service measurement highlights the work of the American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Standards, guidelines adopted by ALA's Reference and Adult Services Division, and efforts of state, public, and university libraries. Fourteen references are…

The issue of standards for special libraries is discussed, highlighting surveys conducted concerning the diversity of special libraries and salaries of members of the Special Libraries Association (SLA). Efforts of SLA's Standards and Statistics Committee are noted. Twenty references are listed. (EJS)

Overview of the search for standards for American college libraries provides a brief background and discusses qualitative versus quantitative standards, the Association of College and Research Libraries' 1975 revision of the 1959 "Standards for College Libraries," and the future of the standards. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

Examines the federal legislative and information policy leadership roles of the American Library Association (ALA). Highlights include the ALA legislative policy structure today, lobbying in the public interest, resources for successful lobbying, effective lobbying techniques, lobbies and organizational theory, ALA lobbying style, and the White…

Outline of the development of state libraries focuses on funding, the establishment of standards by the American Association of State Libraries in 1963 with revision in 1970, and strengths and weaknesses of the present standards; suggestions for revisions of the 1970 standards are included. Twelve references are noted. (EJS)

Provision of library service to the blind and visually impaired and the development of standards for libraries providing this service are reviewed. The development of guidelines for libraries serving the deaf and hard of hearing is also discussed. Thirty-one references are cited. (EJS)

Describes procedures for development of official standards affecting libraries, information services, and publishing, noting American National Standards, international standards, and UNESCO recommendations. De facto standard development (Library of Congress, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions), and access and use of…

Discusses funding for library research (1964-84), including previous findings; problems in analyses of funding; activities of major research funding agencies (Higher Education Act of 1965 Title II-B, National Science Foundation, National Library of Medicine, Council on Library Resources); and funding by professional organizations. Problems and…

Discusses the adoption of "Standards for University Libraries" in 1978/79 by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), including the definition of universities and colleges, ARL/ACRL committees, the standards, and a survey of 88 library directors concerning usefulness of standards.…

Reviews history of public library standards development and needs. Publications dealing with accreditation, measurement of effective library service, alternatives to standards, state and national standards, and a planning process manual are discussed. Twenty-four references are provided. (EJS)

Provides an overview of third world library literature from 1980-85. The current state of professional publishing is examined for Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The role of library schools, professional organizations, national libraries, government information agencies, and commercial firms in the production of library…

Discusses service standards (level of excellence or adequacy in performance of library service) and their incorporation in the accreditation process for hospital library service and academic health sciences libraries. The certification program developed for health sciences librarians by the Medical Library Association is reviewed. Fifty-nine…

Discusses ethical considerations and possible censorship that can accompany technological advances in the transmission of information among scholars. Topics addressed include academic ethics and academic library ethics; peer review and scholarly communication; controversies and the selection of library materials; academic whistle blowers; and…

Highlights concepts and developments over past century in continuing library education. Library school initiatives in 1960s, contribution of Association of American Library Schools (AALS), the Continuing Library Education Network and Exchange (CLENE), and roles of state library agencies, federal government, professional associations, and academic…