Intended to foster a common language for information exchange about library operations and resources, this handbook provides library managers, boards of trustees, and other library decisionmakers with guidance in identifying items of information from which to obtain factual and comparative data for (1) developing policies and decisions; (2)…

This annual report is the first to be written since the middle 1960's. In order to provide a sense of progress, the problems, and the trends which have occurred during the intervening years, this report is organized around a series of major library concerns including: (1) collections; (2) physical facilities; (3) internal organizational…

In 1905, Library of Congress Processing Services had about 100 employees in 2 divisions: Catalog and Order. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress since 1899, cataloging chief James Hanson, and chief classifier Charles Martel were engaged in restoring order to library's collections and centralizing cataloging activity for entire country. (41…

This paper examines specific issues in the administration of serials (publications issued in successive parts and intended to be continued indefinitely) as they have been addressed by a small academic library with budget constraints and limited personnel. Highlights include collection development, bibliographic control, acquisition, automation,…

Selective review of the collection development literature for 1991 discusses the access versus ownership issue; organization, policy, and planning; budgets and finance; selection; assessment, weeding, and preservation; and special collections. (177 references) (MES)

Presents a rationale for keeping the school library media center's vertical files. Discusses reasons related to: student accessibility, supplement to the school curricula, local topics, and limited financial resources. Outlines ten guidelines for maintaining a useful and current file collection. (AEF)

This report presents the results of a survey that gathered information from Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members on insuring library collections and buildings. Data are presented on kinds of insurance and coverage, valuation, special insurance on electronic data, sprinkler systems, losses, and insurance problems. A copy of the survey…

The objective of this study was to determine how large research libraries perform the function of collection development. The paper describes collection development theory within the formal organizational structure of the library, identifies the actual decision points involved in selection of materials, and examines the staff and facilities…

Present central library operations are discussed in terms of emerging needs and possible direction for future development. Library objectives include acquiring and organizing relevant records of knowledge, and providing satisfactory information service standards. Issues relating to objectives include the library's involvement in planning and…

This report describes the aspirations and inspirations as well as the data collection and analyses which constituted the first phase of activity under the Mellon Foundation grant to examine collection development and management at Cornell. The emphasis is mainly on analytical and planning processes rather than specific results during this first…

This discussion of the use of citation frequency data in judging a cluster or an entire collection of journals in academic libraries discusses the rationale for this methodology, and illustrates its application by examining citation counts in ISI's Journal Citation Reports (JCR) for periodicals in the area of communication research. The…

Provides description of four branches of the National Library of Papua New Guinea: (1) Readers Services Branch (reference, film, serials, and Papua New Guinea collections); (2) National Archives and Records Service; (3) Advisory Services (provides support to special, public, and school libraries); (4) Technical Services Branch (acquisitions,…

Discusses objectives set forth in "Status of Librarianship in the USSR" adopted by Decree of Presidium of Supreme Soviet of USSR of March 13, 1984, to consolidate Leninist principles of library work as unified system. Organization of country's libraries, effective formation of library collections, library services, and bibliographic…

Reviews history of project of State and Local Documents Task Force of American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table which consists of collection of diverse materials used in administration of state documents depository programs. Benefits and problems of converting collection to microfiche to be distributed through ERIC system are…

Strong archival programs are rare, in part because the vital issues of program leadership and management have not been given sustained attention. As a consequence, many programs are under-funded, under-supported, and lack sufficient space, staff, and other resources necessary to carry out their important work. This collection of writings from…