Discusses planning necessary for library media centers that are adding new technology. Highlights include equity and access; selection of an automated system; implementation; placement of hardware, both for patrons and for staff; CD-ROMs and networks; and a case study of the West Windsor-Plainsboro (New Jersey) Middle School. (Contains five…

Describes how a library, with an MCI Corporation grant, approached the process of setting up computers for the visually impaired. Discusses preparations, which included hiring a visually-impaired user as a consultant and contacting the VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) group; equipment; problems with the graphical user interface; and training.…

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…

This document, like its predecessor, will serve as a blueprint for and a means of communication about statewide library automation. The original plan introduced the concept of the electronic doorway library as a way to explain the changes occurring in the delivery of library services. Through 14 assumptions, 32 recommendations, and implementation…

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) lists its duties, goals, and recent accomplishments in this 1988 annual report. Some of these duties and goals are: (1) administering grants for library development and state aid; (2) providing consultation for library automation; (3) researching and answering reference questions; (4) lending books from…

This examination of the philosophy and objectives of academic library reference services provides an overview of the major reference approaches to fulfilling the following primary objectives of reference services: (1) providing accurate answers to patrons' questions and/or helping patrons find sources to pursue their research needs; (2) building…

The 29 participants in this meeting on retrospective conversion included research and public library administrators; representatives from the Library of Congress, the major bibliographic utilities, and the regional networks; librarians with experience in planning retrospective conversion projects; three authors of the "Issues in Retrospective…

This meeting on the retrospective conversion (RECON) of music materials brought together 21 individuals to plan the integration and coordination of RECON activities within the context of the music library community. Major music societies and professional music groups were represented as were music faculty and composing communities. This document…

This task force report outlines a five-year strategic plan for the Indiana State University Library. The plan discusses expected changes and provides recommendations as to how to best meet new needs in eight areas: (1) the environment, including financial support, use of library resources, and changes in the composition of the user group; (2) user…

This workbook presents outlines of topics to be covered during a two-day workshop on the fundamentals for library automation. Topics for the first day include: (1) Introduction; (2) Computer Technology--A Historical Overview; (3) Evolution of Library Automation; (4) Computer Hardware Technology--An Introduction; (5) Computer Software…

This planning proposal recommends that Memphis State University Libraries make information on CD-ROM (compact disc--read only memory) available in the Reference Department by establishing an Information Retrieval Center (IRC). Following a brief introduction and statement of purpose, the library's databases, users, staffing, facilities, and…

The use of analytical models and quantitative methods for both short- and long-range problem solving offer library managers an excellent opportunity to improve and rationalize decision-making for strategic and organizational planning. The first step is to identify the problems confronting the library and understand its current capabilities.…

This planning document projects the needs, activities, and performance goals for the University of California's library system. The first four chapters provide a historical overview of the university and its library system; an analysis of the functions of the libraries; a discussion of the need for a new approach to the system's organization,…

In a program sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Library of Congress (LC) Processing Department reports on progress in development of the National Bibliographic Service. The first paper deals with past, present, and future cooperation between LC and the ARL. The second paper provides an overview of the automation…

Faced with an old and increasingly complex card catalog and with proposed changes in the Library of Congress (LC) cataloging system, the Subcommittee on the Future of the Catalogs at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Library considered methods for dealing with these joint problems of catalog renovation and…