The idea of "reading the room" borrowed from the business world applies to how school library professionals can identify and responsively meet the needs of users. By stepping up to do work even when it is not requested, and yet in alignment with our mission, we can help sustain our library programs.

The digital humanities (DH) are attracting considerable attention and funding at the same time that this nascent field is striving for an identity. Some research libraries are making significant investments by creating digital humanities centers. However, questions about whether such investments are warranted persist across the cultural heritage…

Describes four library retreats held by the Bowling Green State University library staff from 1995 to 1998. The retreats reflect changes in library work and management theory that have occurred. The importance of technology to library work is recognized, but there is also a growing realization of the importance of developing a flexible staff…

Describes results of a survey of catalogers in academic libraries that investigated if and how their job functions have changed over the past 10 years. The 271 respondents discussed a change from print to electronic formats, involvement of nonprofessionals, outsourcing, and more cataloging of specialized items including Internet resources.…

Reviews the profiles of a typical public library, the Redondo Beach Public Library (California), and its nearby community college library, the Schauerman Library at El Camino College in Torrance, California. Discusses similarities between staff in public and academic libraries; differences between the two environments; and like missions of both…

A librarian describes library services available for physically impaired students at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Following background information on the university's commitment to disabled students, a discussion is presented on the effects of federal legislation on changes in library facilities; collections; and services for disabled…

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…

Discussion of a statement of goals and objectives for reference department staff is based on an informal survey of reference managers in academic and public libraries and professional literature of planning. Strategies for developing statements (role of manager, arriving at goals, setting priorities, developing objectives) are described. Fifteen…

The strong emphasis of technology is slowly diminishing the importance of the human element in libraries. The current changes in population demand cultural sensitivity training in all walks of life. Libraries and librarians have a role to play. They need to cope with the multicultural environment by understanding the basics of multiculturalism and…

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.…

Discussion of fund-raising in academic libraries addresses issues of major gifts, capital campaigns, organization, staffing, constituency, and the role of the library development program within the academic community. Highlights include library administrator roles, goals, centralized versus decentralized development, and creating a major-gifts…

This description of the current conditions of college libraries in India highlights the administrative structure, finances, library collections, technical processing, library services, personnel, and physical facilities. A bibliography is provided. (EJS)

Discusses women's studies as a discipline and describes methods of collection development of women's studies materials for academic libraries. An example is given of a women's studies collection at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including development models, budget, personnel, role of the librarian, types of materials, and appropriate…

This proceedings of the 1986 conference of the Association of College and Research Libraries contains 60 papers--44 position papers, 7 research reports, and 9 idea briefs--dealing with the issue of transitions facing librarians and ways to respond to these transitions through both formal and informal means. Papers are organized under eight broad…

This profile of university libraries in Pakistan covers history of higher education and role of the library; organization of library service (strong central library, decentralized library service, central library with department libraries); resources and collection building; technical processing; readers' services; administration and staffing;…