The major reasons which seem to be preventing operations research from achieving its potential and fulfilling the expectations of its proponents in library management are explored. (Author)

Describes a strategic planning model and its application in libraries, focusing on the importance of identifying value systems as the first step in the strategic planning process. Several actions that libraries can take to incorporate employee values into strategic planning are recommended. (20 references) (MES)

Describes forces that are causing libraries to make changes in how they do business and examines how libraries use management strategies to restructure their organizations. Presents two models that represent organizational structures designed to take into account the unique circumstances of libraries and addresses issues involved in moving to a…

At a time when libraries are adopting systems analysis as an integral part of their management structure, systems analysts are voicing grave concern about their ability to deliver the kinds of systems libraries need. (11 references) (Author)

Illustrates how basic principles of marketing and strategic market planning can be applied to libraries and discusses some concepts of strategic planning (organization mission, objectives and goals, growth strategy, program portfolio plan) and marketing (opportunity analysis, target market selection, marketing mix strategy, marketing systems…

Without understanding the value of collections as assets to the home institution, it is difficult for libraries to determine how best to make those assets most productive. This report describes how the Library of Congress developed and implemented a plan for greater accountability over its collections. The report presents a model for the…

This discussion of methods for selecting an integrated, public-access library system highlights the traditional idealized selection model; participation by the library director, consultant, task force, committees, and vendors; fads and cost figures; selection of the wrong system; and suggestions for an informal approach to purchasing. Five sources…

Explains the nature and usefulness of success factor research in general and in relation to the information and library area. Suggest that an understanding of success factors in Information Resource Units (IRUs) can be beneficial to planning and management. Results of a survey of IRU directors in Germany are presented. (Author/LRW)

Presents the concept of building an effectiveness pyramid to align and utilize all major aspects of a library's organization to support and improve the effectiveness of the library. Describes the three levels of the pyramid and how they relate to library effectiveness: the individual; enabling skills and tools; and organizational structure and…

This paper describes a decision making framework for library networking which can be used by individual libraries, groups of cooperating libraries, or centralized services to evaluate current operations and define alternative approaches to automation and networking. It is noted that networking has not yet achieved its full potential because of a…

Examines recent developments in field of systems theory that can improve library management practices by broadening perspective in which these problems may be approached. The concept of organizational life cycles is discussed and a paradigm for application of its principles is developed. An Rx decision chart is appended. (9 references) (EJS)

Describes a theoretical instructional development model for planning college and university bibliographic instruction programs. Potential advantages of the approach are identified and specific application of the model is encouraged to gain empirical data and refine the methodology. Ten references are listed. (RAA)

This paper discusses the importance of an analytic planning model to academic libraries in the context of campus-wide planning and briefly describes two projects funded through the Council for the Advancement of Small Colleges (CASC) to develop appropriate management products. The first project focused on the development and testing of analytic…

The two-phase effort at Clemson University to design a comprehensive library automation program is reported. Phase one was based on a version of IBM's business system planning methodology, and the second was based on a linear model designed to compare existing program systems to the phase one design. (MLW)

A library automation plan must not only produce an optimum system, but prepare staff, institution, and clientele for far-reaching change. This change can be accommodated by a functional model consisting of three phases: organization and overview; project expansion; project consolidation and preparation of system plan. Twenty-eight references are…