An experimental "management-by-objectives" performance system was operated by the Libraries and Information Systems Center of Bell Laboratories during 1973. It was found that, though the system was very effective for work planning and the development of people, difficulties were encountered in applying it to certain classes of employees.…

Discusses several pitfalls that face corporate special librarians, including: defining the library role; management control; decentralization; budgeting; user expectations; purchasing control; organizational propaganda; reporting; clerical staffing; and end-user searching. (five references) (MES)

Summarizes results of a survey on the value of the corporate library and presents a strategy for successful information management: (1) learn the information needs of senior executives; (2) be businesslike; (3) defend your turf; (4) segment the market; (5) market to those who need information; and (6) be involved in the business. (Three…

Because of the researcher's greater appreciation for library services, it has been generally assumed that special libraries operate more effectively reporting through research than through management. Experiences during the recent wave of industrial retrenchments make re-examination of this assumption appropriate (2 references) (Author)

Presents methods to gain management support for information resource center projects. Topics include: expressing expected results; and understanding the project in terms of business and organizational objectives, competitors' actions, internal needs, external conditions, customer needs, vendor support, and colleagues' experiences. (LRW)

Discusses the increase in significance and importance of cataloging and authority control in the online environment of libraries to help improve both precision and recall of searches. Highlights include the inadequacies of keyword searching; corporate library experiences; and library management with foreign library branches and foreign language…

The manager of a corporate library describes five strategies for special libraries to increase services and resources without increasing staff or budgets: automation, reorganization, using temporarily available employees, using in-house services, and participatory management. (Author/EM)

Discussion of corporate library management focuses on a historical perspective of the current management environment in corporate libraries. The maturation of the information industry is described; library management versus information management is considered; and changes needed in professional education are suggested, including a more…

Describes the problems IBM Corporation in Boca Raton, Florida, has had staffing and managing a corporate library and its cooperative agreement with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to provide professional librarian services. Issues to consider in developing an academic/special libraries agreement are discussed. (EA)

Discusses changes in educational requirements for library-oriented careers in information management caused by developments in the for-profit sector. Highlights include the role of technology; the growth of special library, corporate, and information industry employment; mobility of information professionals; and the interdisciplinary nature of…

Examines the trend toward outsourcing in libraries and presents views from information professionals in various work environments. Discussion covers privatization activities of government agencies and libraries as well as corporate libraries, particularly law firm libraries. The need for good library-vendor communication, the effect on public…

The need to approach library management from an entrepreneurial business perspective is vital, whether the information facility is in a corporate, academic, public or school setting. Although librarianship is not a business, library management must be driven by the same characteristics-- responsibility, performance, and control--as any other…

Provides an introduction to "From the Top: Profiles of U.S. and Canadian Corporate Libraries and Information Centers," a compilation of profiles of selected North American corporations. Areas covered in the profiles include professional profiles of library administrators, history, physical facilities, staff size, user populations,…

A survey of 92 corporate and government libraries in Victoria, Australia, reveals that 64.8% were restructured over the last 5 years. Reasons for outsourcing; services being outsourced; the impact of budgets; and the use of service fees are examined. (AEF)

This book provides an introduction to single staff information services, or SOLO librarianship. SOLO librarians are usually found in corporate libraries, private companies, small public libraries, museums, schools, churches or synagogues, prisons, law firms, hospitals or special libraries with specialized or limited materials and services with…