This report presents the results of a major 5-year review by the State Library of Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Library Development of the 1984 Comprehensive Plan for Library Service in Pennsylvania, together with related resolutions adopted by delegates to the 1990 Governor's Conference on Library and Information Services. The council review…

Arguing that library and information needs should be met at the national, rather than at the local level, this report analyzes ways to meet these needs with special reference to the role of national libraries. The first two chapters highlight such library and information concerns as: (1) collection and preservation of documents of national…

This paper reports on a study conducted to assist the Wadsworth Public Library in future planning and refining of services to older adults especially in library outreach. A questionnaire was distributed to residents (n=350) of one nursing home, four apartment complexes for seniors, one assisted living complex, one senior center, and any patrons…

It is important that librarians research and plan to make the relationship between library collections and remote access comfortable and successful for users and the library. This article discusses the political, social, and economic advantages and disadvantages of remote access. (JMV)

Various aspects of the theme, "AccessAbility: Overcoming Information Barriers," are considered in the conference papers collected in this document. They include: (1) "The Library Image: A Barrier to Accessibility" (Janice S. Boyer); (2) "The Educationally Disadvantaged Student: How Can the Library Help?" (Michael Poma…

Argues that, as library roles change, providing access to information resources is becoming more important than acquisition of library resources and that libraries should be evaluated based upon what they actually do. Access and performance measures are proposed to supplement the statistics collected by the Association of Research Libraries. (30…

This SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) kit provides a sample of excerpts from technical and planning documents contributed by 40 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries that are planning to install or have already implemented optical disc technology. Selected to represent a variety of media and applications, the…

Compares, contrasts, and critiques predictions that have been made about the future of research libraries, focusing on the impact of technology on the library's role and users' needs. The discussion includes models for the adaptation of new technologies that may assist in library planning and change. (38 references) (CLB)

In response to serious concerns about the dramatic increases in college and university costs, the Department of Education solicited proposals in May 1987 for innovative projects to explore means of cost reduction or containment which promise significant cost savings, whether accrued in the short- or long-term. The solicitation for cost containment…

Contains 13 articles that discuss current issues, future directions, and critical questions regarding successful library resource sharing. The articles present economic decision models, consortia agreements, copyright dilemmas, technological advancements, and a national project to revamp interlibrary loan and document delivery. (Author/JMV)

A survey of chief academic officers (CAOs) and library directors at 96 research institutions revealed great similarities in their perceptions of institutional priorities; however, the CAOs ranked making electronic information available on campus or supporting the development of a national education/research network much lower than the library…

This report of the task force charged with defining and researching the issues related to access and ownership of materials at the University of Arizona library presents 23 short-and long-term recommendations in the following areas: (1) organization, including the establishment of separate staff units for access services and collection management…

This publication describes the results of a 1992 survey of Association of Research Libraries member libraries to determine the extent to which they are becoming virtual libraries, i.e., libraries in which computer and telecommunications technologies make access to a wide range of information resources possible. Areas covered by the survey included…

This report explores the diverse ways that libraries are currently supporting distance learning, both in its traditional and newer Internet-based forms. Based on interviews with administrators and staff, the following "Reports from the Field" reflect developments in public institutions: "UNET (University of Maine System Network)…