Suggests guidelines to be followed by library administrators and managers to deal effectively with changes caused by the introduction of automation or technology projects within a library. The need for planning is emphasized, staff participation is stressed, adequate training and preparation are discussed, and financial planning is considered.…

Librarians have an alternative to providing library services with their own resources. The alternative is to purchase these services from outside contractors. The library manager must carefully consider several service and economic factors along with the range of available services. (7 references) (Author/DH)

Libraries today operate on the assumption that they are a necessary and viable social institution with a long life expectancy. However, labor productivity, automation levels, and costs are not in line with todays economic requirements. Competing information services may replace libraries by the turn of the century. (DH)

The trend toward extensive computerization of the processes of research libraries is indicated as excessive, uncritical and inefficient. (JN)

Describes the structure of the interlibrary loan system in the United Kingdom and suggests implications for American libraries. The British Library Document Supply Centre (DSC) is explained; costs to borrowers and lenders are discussed; and strategic planning involving changing technology, politics, and economics is considered. (24 references)…

Computers have had a tremendous impact on library services as automation has affected every aspect of library activity. Automated systems may be viewed as either internal, intermediate, or external, and different factors must be considered in planning for various types of systems. Internal systems, which are used only by library personnel, handle…

Designed to inform the library community about the programs, services, staff, and fiscal status of the Colorado State Library, this annual report includes highlights of the following programs: (1) Public Library Development; (2) School Library Media; (3) Network Development and Automation; (4) Regional Library Service Systems Coordination; (5)…

Discusses features of online library catalogs and their cost characteristics, including financial management and planning (hardware and software options, turnkey vendors); approaches to cost analysis (actual experiences, building blocks); baseline estimates for two average academic libraries; and vendor estimates. Forty-five references and a…

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)

Based on information and documents gathered from 103 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries via an April 1986 ARL Recon Project questionnaire, and supplemented with additional interviews and materials gathered throughout the year, this publication focuses on retrospective conversion projects designed to support the implementation…

Sharing a local automated library system will generally reduce the costs of automation for each participating library and will facilitate the sharing of resources. To set up a consortium, libraries must first identify and agree on governance issues and methods for dealing with these issues. Issues range from ownership, management, and location of…

Proposes a model for creating a technology program that provides a framework for achieving a more effective utilization of new technology in libraries. Topics discussed include environmental requirements; personnel; user needs; technologies, including standards for hardware and software; budgets; costs; maintenance; supplies; training; and…

This report of the results of the 1987 survey of higher education libraries in Oklahoma begins by briefly describing the development and refinement of the annual survey instrument used to help determine the needs of these libraries. The data tables and analyses are then presented by type of institution, i.e., 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, and…

The Alabama Public Library Service is charged with improving library services throughout Alabama to ensure that all citizens have access to quality library and information services. The agency is responsible for administering federal and state funds for the more than 200 public libraries in Alabama. Building renovations were completed in April…

This report by the City of Saint Paul's Citizens Task Force for the Library presents a documented written program of recommendations for growth and change for the next five years based on the results of three sub-studies: (1) a 'Community Analysis,' an in-depth study of the library-related needs of the Saint Paul community; (2) a self-study of the…