This paper provides a snapshot of United States academic libraries in 2020 and explores longitudinal trends in staffing and expenditures for 1996 to 2020. The authors merged and analyzed academic library data from the National Center for Education Statistics from over 4,000 postsecondary institutions. Characteristics are explored by region and…

This article presents the results of an online survey of access services departments at academic libraries on the responses implemented during the initial stage of COVID-19 in March-May 2020. The 33-question survey was completed by 121 respondents. The article identifies policies and procedures adopted by access services departments during the…

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…

Usability testing on library search tools was conducted with ten students and eighteen library staff members at Syracuse University. The study addressed three research questions: (1) Do the ways in which librarians carry out search tasks on the library Web site vary from those of student users?; (2) Are those variations indicative of different…

This article reports research into the perceptions and predictions of academic librarians regarding the future role and development of e-books, and e-book collections and services. A number of recent studies reported in the literature review indicate increasing interest in e-books. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 academic…

Describes experiences at the Arkansas State University at Jonesboro library when mold was discovered in a large portion of the monograph collection. Discusses causes of mold formation, equipment needed, news media coverage, staff involvement in the cleanup, and possible health hazards from mold. (LRW)

The problem of food and drink in libraries and the potential damage to library materials that may occur have always been troublesome issues. Most attempts to totally eliminate food and drink have produced mixed results at best and libraries have expended precious staff time trying to enforce such rules. The food and drink issue is particularly…

Presents overview of common characteristics and problems of academic libraries in China which operate under rules issued from the central government in Beijing. Discussion covers building design, furniture and equipment, budgets and salaries, personnel management, collection development, library materials, use rate, effects of the Cultural…

Describes how the library staff at Stetson University in central Florida coped with flooding. Offers recommendations on storage; carpeting; fans and humidifiers; emergency phone contacts; labeled keys; protective coverings for books; safe storage for "disaster" materials and equipment; removal of less valuable materials; sandbags;…

This document reports the results of a library use study conducted at Frazar Memorial Library (Louisiana) in 1983 as a follow-up study to a 1976-77 library use study. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which patrons used and were satisfied with library services, to identify areas for improvement, and to gather data…

This training manual describes and explains the variety of tasks performed by the Stack Maintenance Student Aides in Benjamin Rosenthal Library. A list of the stack maintenance personnel, the floor directory, student aide requirements and procedures, time sheets, notes on telephone etiquette, procedures for locating and shelving books, an overview…

This report is based in part on an analysis of current preservation practices and of the 1988-89 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Preservation Statistics. It includes discussion of the 10 components of a comprehensive preservation program to which library administrators must give attention. Organizational models for mature preservation…

This paper investigates the extent of cataloging backlog in Ohio libraries and methods adopted to reduce such backlog. A review of the relevant literature is made in order to gain insight into the different ways in which the problem has been tackled across the country. Data on the situation in Ohio is collected through survey methodology using the…

A general evaluation survey of the academic community was conducted during the fall quarter of 1979 to determine whether the present services, facilities, and resources of the Iowa State University Library meet the needs of its users. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of faculty, administrative staff, graduate students, and…

Analyses of the relationship between costs and output in more than 3,000 United States academic libraries show that average costs rise more rapidly than output for all types of libraries except two-year private colleges. Major differences in workload and expenditures were found between two-year and four-year public and private institutions. (EJS)