The author views the organization as a total operating system which mobilizes its resources for the sole reason of satisfying the wants of a market. The organization must consider the environmental forces of technology, and also social, economic, and competitive trends. (Author/JAB)

This essay on problems associated with library reference service and personnel discusses the pros and cons of four approaches designed to improve staff utilization and quality of performance--hiring additional staff, automation, alternative staffing arrangements, and planning and rearrangement of priorities. Fourteen sources are given. (EJS)

Suggests steps in creating administrative support for serving young adults in public libraries. The steps are to determine what services are wanted, and where support is to come from; reasons for serving young adults and priority of library needs and wants; and strategies to generate support. (JMV)

Discusses two ways that perceptions concerning effectiveness of special libraries and information centers can be changed--change methods used to account for library financially and change provision of services to better meet users' needs. Seven steps for increasing real and perceived value of library to organization are proposed. (11 sources) (EJS)

This paper describes the experiences of a recent change process that focused on the delivery of reference services at the University of Western Australia (UWA). UWA reference librarians felt that they could not fulfill all of their duties while working from the reference desk for a significant period of time each day; they wanted time away from…

Ohio White House Conference preconference programs were held from March 10-May 25, 1978, at 18 locations across the state and attracted almost 1500 citizens and librarians interested in speaking out on libraries and information services. Detailed information about the preconferences is provided by this report in three sections: (1) narrative…

This two-page digest briefly outlines some of the technological trends in updating a library, and briefly discusses the administrative issues and strategies involved. It begins by describing the wholly integrated information environment, which would include: (1) public-access personal and professional communications networks; (2) information…

Total Quality Management (TQM) is "a system of continuous improvement employing participative management and centered on the needs of customers." Key components of TQM are employee involvement and training, problem-solving teams, statistical methods, long-term goals and thinking, and recognition that the system, not people, produces…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

Examines the community of libraries and library schools for the probability of its long-term survival in its present form. Evolutionary rates are considered, essential functions now performed by the library community are described, and two new functions are recommended for future survival: (1) research leadership in information science, and (2)…

Discusses "revisioning" the school library media program. Highlights include the power of school media specialists; comparisons to community businesses, including marketing, displays, themes, and materials and staff; library services and staff attitudes; and creating a new image. (AEF)

Analyzes public policy and political issues that affect Indiana's library information services. Reviews the effects of these issues on Indiana's single statewide network created via a massive voluntary restructuring partnership between the Indiana State Library and 10 independent Library Service Authorities. An appendix presents Indiana's plan for…

This address focuses on technological change, the Information Age, and the relevance of libraries. Highlights include: creating a shared vision; adding value to information services; sharing organizational values; forging strategic alliances with vendors and suppliers; reallocating resources; and responding to change with flexibility. The speech…

Passage of library bonds in November 1988 provided momentum to create a new library system for San Francisco. To be successful, this endeavor demanded that the entire library program be evaluated and reassessed, and renovations to the branch libraries had to be made on a systemwide basis. Funding from the library bonds could be used only for…

Based on experiences at Brandeis University libraries, and findings from management literature, a discussion (with figures) is presented on the challenges faced by libraries in integrating technology and information services. Reviews reasons why change is needed, examines information services as a team-based approach, and presents management…