This SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) Kit presents the results of a survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries. The survey addressed the following questions about numeric data (i.e., any information resource, print or non-print, with considerable numeric content) in academic libraries: (1) What relationships…

Traces the evolution of the science fiction genre and its representation at the Library of Congress, including original paperbacks, hardcovers, television, film, and sound recordings. Highlights include science fiction "classics", the Library of Congress collection development policy, library programs, and preservation activities…

Topics addressed by seven articles on public library service include: videotape collection development; the effects of a new main library on circulation and other performance indicators; planning for a branch library; staff development; reading achievement by elementary students; development of children's programing guidelines; and the role of the…

Discusses technical advances that affect the delivery of electronic versions of world literature to libraries. Topics include the creation and dissemination of electronic text and the use of extended character codes and markup language to preserve the form and structure of printed text. (13 references) (KRN)

Discussion of the development of the discourse of diversity highlights a report from the Librarian's Association of the University of California that addressed cultural diversity in academic libraries. Topics discussed include developing culturally diverse collections; access; reference services; bibliographic instruction; and recruitment,…

Describes a preliminary study that was conducted to examine the collection development practices, selection criteria, and sources used in acquiring Native American literature for children and adolescents in public libraries in Alaska and Oklahoma. Results of a literature survey are discussed, and further research is suggested. (Contains 36…

Discusses the role of libraries in the Arizona Strategic Planning for Economic Development Project. Highlights include the Arizona example; survey results and implications for libraries; the Economic Development Information Center (EDIC), the project's players, collection development, and training sessions; some success stories; and the future of…

Examines library service to young people in rural libraries in New York State with references to services provided by rural libraries and librarians in other parts of the nation. Planning, standards, collection development, selection of culturally diverse materials, work with preschoolers, computer literacy, and library associations are discussed.…

Describes the development of a courier service in Oregon for document delivery between libraries to support coordinated collection development activities. Organization of the service by individual libraries without dependence on the Library Services and Construction Act is discussed, and costs and response time are considered. (two references)…

Discusses the future of computer networks and libraries in light of rapid advances in technology. Topics discussed include information growth; decreasing costs and increasing performance; and changes needed in libraries, including organizational structure and culture, increased access rather than increased holdings, more classification schemes,…

Discusses uses of computer-based telecommunications and telefacsimile by school library media programs to provide information for management and services to users. A case study of telecommunications in Oklahoma that focuses on the application of technology for cooperative selection is presented, future possibilities are discussed, and an annotated…

Describes the Intelligent Reference Information System (IRIS) at the University of Houston libraries which includes a local area network of CD-ROM databases and an expert system to recommend reference sources. Effects of IRIS on public services management, bibliographic instruction, and collection development are discussed; and network licensing,…

Provides a list of articles chosen from 12 journals to help school library media specialists develop an awareness of helpful literature from current periodicals. Topics covered include information service; instructional consulting; management, including collection development and public relations; and teaching, including library skills…

Explores how public libraries have dealt with the AIDS epidemic, examines the publication of articles on AIDS in periodicals and books, and reports the results of a survey of public libraries that was conducted to determine when and how librarians have responded to information needs on the AIDS epidemic. (Contains 11 references.) (LRW)

Discusses the workability of federal depository libraries in dealing with information in electronic format (i.e., optical discs, compact discs, and databases available through mainframe computer access), and presents results of two surveys designed to assess the attitudes and practices of depository libraries toward electronic information. Copies…