The article examines some of the non-routine challenges that an academic library director can expect to deal with during his or her career. Each challenge is discussed in a paragraph or two, beginning by characterizing the challenge as an animal that serves as a metaphor for unusual but nonetheless important conditions that can, sooner or later,…

Since the late 1970s, the access services librarian or equivalent position has become commonplace in academic libraries, and degreed professionals have been sought for these positions since the beginning. In 2009, David McCaslin, California Institute of Technology, examined the place of access services in American Library Association-accredited…

In January 2008, the Belk Library & Information Commons at Appalachian State University combined the Access Services staff members of the Circulation and Lower Level Service Desks with the Reference and Instruction team as part of a library-wide reorganization effort. The new team balanced what had been a staff-dominated Access Services team…

Trinity University has established effective strategies for engaging faculty, administrators, and staff in information literacy instruction and assessment. Succeeding in an area in which many libraries struggle, the Coates Library at Trinity University offers a model for libraries seeking to actively engage their campuses through 1) establishing a…

Recommends that library managers make inexpensive but enlightened changes in administrative policies and work environment to encourage professional development of permanent staff. References are listed. (RAA)

Summarizes the development of a library staffing formula for Virginia academic libraries that meets resources constraints and accepted library standards. References are provided. (RAA)

Describes the new library at the University of Arizona that is part of the Integrated Learning Center, a comprehensive learning environment focusing on undergraduate students. Topics include access to computers; support staff; and a management model to meet the needs of a new library organizational structure that puts the user at the top. (LRW)

Discussion of transaction log analysis at academic libraries focuses on its use for managerial purposes, specifically personnel scheduling at the reference desk. Describes a study that examined data from two academic libraries and data from one of the libraries that had been collected 10 years ago. (LRW)

The ARL Partnerships Program was created to enhance diversity in research libraries and allied associations. The goal was to actively engage more libraries and library-related organizations in advancing diversity initiatives. This compilation of diversity programs and activities highlights the efforts of libraries and library associations…

Explores management techniques for efficient use of student desk attendants in the reader service operation of a typical academic law library. Several practical tasks that students can do are suggested, and student training manuals and supervisory considerations are discussed. (seven references) (MES)

Contributors from five libraries--Bentley College, Boston University, the College of Charleston, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, and the Resource Sharing Alliance of West Central Illinois--describe their automation projects, including staff impact; costs and funding; time and schedules; users; computer support; vendors; and consultants.…

Discussion of productivity in the workplace focuses on libraries, particularly academic libraries. Productivity is defined; opportunities and barriers for productivity in the workplace are explained, including adversity, technology, teamwork, and management styles; and implications for managers are suggested. (16 references) (LRW)

Discusses hiring students with disabilities in the academic library, focusing on experiences of the library at Northern Illinois University. Discussion includes identifying a position; recruiting; interviewing; collegial support; adaptations and training; and evaluation. (AEF)

Discusses the development of an electronic reserves software system and related administrative issues at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Topics include staffing; technical and work flow issues; education and training of users, faculty, and staff; assessment; and advice for other libraries building electronic reserve programs.…

In response to an ambitious acquisitions effort at Trinity University's Elizabeth Coates Maddux Library during 1980/81, the library's cataloging department quintupled its monographic processing output while increasing its staff only by the addition of seven permanent and two temporary support staff members. Production standards, initially…