Provides an overview of the state of libraries and their resources in Croatia. Highlights include destruction of libraries resulting from the war; the need for centralization, uniformity, and standards; the role of the National and University Library; processing library materials; and the development of an automated system and network. (Contains…

Discussion of cooperation between academic and corporate libraries focuses on a case study of the library at the Colorado School of Mines where an industry information center was established. Issues in planning an industry-academic partnership are explored, including feasibility, funding, staffing, terms of agreement, and authority structures.…

Describes the Basic Health Sciences Library Network (BHSL), a multistate interlibrary loan network that operates without direct charges to its 460 member libraries or federal or state funding. Loan activity for 1992 resulted in collective savings of $592,672. The BHSL model can be applied to any group using a common locator tool. (Contains 17…

A survey of 452 special librarians was conducted by the Special Libraries Association to identify what they want new graduates to know. Communication skills, reference skills, and an attitude of service were considered by respondents to be more important than second master's degrees and management skills. (Author/EM)

Provides a description and assessment of the merger of the government publications division and the maps division at the San Diego State University (California) library that was necessitated by budgetary constraints. The impact on patrons is discussed, including reference assistance, arrangement of materials, reference and circulation policies,…

Discusses contracting for library and information services, particularly between universities and corporations, and gives an example of a successful partnership between Lexmark International, Inc., and the University of Kentucky. Topics addressed include financial considerations; improving services without increasing staff; and confidentiality…

Following an introduction to authority control and MARC (machine readable cataloging), 10 steps are presented for making the transition from a manual to an automated authority file, keeping up with ongoing work, staying current in the discipline, and retrospective work. (23 references) (MES)

Discusses the trend toward the provision of educational services by special libraries. Examples of educational services provided by law libraries, health and science libraries, and corporate libraries are reviewed, new educational formats are described, and factors that should influence the decision to provide educational services are identified.…

This discussion of the importance of the law library as a laboratory for anyone involved in a legal proceeding focuses on the role and function of the law school library. Library staff, facilities, new technologies, budget, and evaluation are noted. (EJS)

Examines the nature of corporate change and its impact on academic business libraries' corporate documents collections. Approaches librarians may use to monitor and manage change are discussed, and several relevant printed and online sources are noted. (five references) (MES)

Reports results of a survey of Special Libraries Association (SLA) chapter presidents that explored activities at the chapter level for library science students. Findings are reported on accredited library schools in the chapters, SLA student groups, student attendance at chapter meetings, direct involvement with students, marketing activities,…

Discusses new directions and patterns of service as the academic library shifts from providing access to sources of information to providing information itself. Services of the University of Rochester Library System are cited as using interpersonal communications and public relations skills to provide resources and technologies. Four references…

Review of the history of education for special librarianship within library education reveals that 70 years of progress in special librarianship has had little impact on the traditional methods and philosophy of library education. Information resources management as a tool for special librarians should be integrated into future library education.…

Discussion of the scope of electronic information resources available to libraries includes examples of several new sources. Solutions to increasing patron demand for materials are considered, including interlibrary loan, for-profit companies and agencies, and services that allow patrons to request materials directly. Issues of staff training,…

The responses of the heads of special libraries to a survey on library education provided little evidence for a unified core curriculum for special librarians; larger special libraries felt subject background was most important, while medium-sized special libraries recommended courses to develop specific, immediately usable skills. (EM)