Relatively diminishing financial resources and increasing user expectations are combining to create a new emphasis for the traditional research library. This paper reports on the development of a pilot project at a large research library that explored the relationship between evaluation and assessment to determine how both the institution and the…

In the first edition of this book, the concepts of marketing and planning library and information services were presented as effective managerial strategies. Several paragraphs from the introduction to the first edition are reproduced, with author commentary, in this edition as an affirmation that the message is still true. In this second edition,…

An experiment at the College of Charleston (South Carolina) library examined whether using Blackwell's Library of Congress Machine Readable Cataloging with books without the CIP upgrading would be worthwhile in terms of cataloging productivity and efficiency; it also looked at additional costs involved with the CIP upgrading. (AEF)

Describes the Government Information Service of Florida's Palm Beach County Library System (PBCLS). Highlights include models for service, the need for specialized government services, costs versus benefits, the Question-Response Service and Government Web site, and keys to success. (AEF)

The conclusions reached at the conference "Rare Book and Manuscript Libraries in the Twenty-first Century," (Houghton Library, Harvard University, 1992), summarized in this essay, provide a context for the "Flair" Symposium. Some issues have changed; others have not. Newer technologies have produced aids and challenges for…

Examines what differences libraries and librarians make, primarily from the perspective of geographical communities. States reasons why this is an essential research issue and describes contributions of current public library planning tools to the determination of impact. Examines the framework that is essential for the intellectual development of…

Examines four significant unanswered questions related to children's and young adult services in public libraries. After reviewing the existing knowledge base that can serve as scaffolding for the needed research, the author suggests strategies for refining and implementing this research agenda. (Contains 62 references.) (Author/AEF)

Identifies research topics related to outcomes assessment in a networked environment and discusses issues affecting these topics. Proposes a framework to relate traditional evaluation components and terminology to the networked environment and identifies factors in the networked environment that affect assessment methods. Suggests outcomes…

Describes attempts to develop library services in the island republic of Kiribati (the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line islands). The development of rural library service in conjunction with school libraries is discussed, a postal library service is described, the establishment of village libraries is discussed, and constraints that have inhibited…

Five articles describe the involvement of the Government Printing Office (GPO) and four depository libraries in the initial GPO Access Gateway Library Program. Technical issues and innovations are discussed, and the challenges of building such a program are outlined. (AEF)

Presents three articles that discuss customer service in libraries, with a focus on planning for service management, a customer service program for library staff, and a quality improvement process. Highlights include developing and implementing service strategies, dealing with requests, redefining work relationships, coworkers as customers,…

Discusses recent developments in extending library services into provincial centers and rural areas in the Solomon Islands. Topics addressed include background on library development in the Solomon Islands, the establishment of the National Library Service, links to government policy, rural library history and development, provincial libraries,…

Introduces the nine papers in a special issue focusing on progress toward digital libraries. Articles fall into three categories: history and activities about digital libraries (DL); understanding digital library users; and extending and integrating through digital libraries. (AEF)

In the basement of the Waupaca Area Public Library, the Best Cellar is a separate room for young adults that allows teens the freedom to laugh, talk, snack, and listen to music without disturbing others. The furniture, collection, young adult population and community, hours of operation, staffing, planning, youth participation, and librarian and…

The Perseus Digital Library (PDL), under continuous development since 1987, is one of the primary digital resources for the humanities. A summary of the PDL genesis and current status is given and the multifaceted and longitudinal evaluation effort is described. A brief synthesis of results is provided and reflections on the evaluation along with…