Discusses serials cancellations; reviews library collection assessment policies and reasons for assessment studies; describes a survey of academic health sciences libraries that examined serials cancellation projects, including the decision-making process, regional or national cooperation, and the methodology used; and explains a generic serials…

Reports on a survey of university libraries that gathered data on the effects of replacing an existing automated system with a new one, i.e., NOTIS. General library automation and management statistics are reported, changes in staffing patterns and personnel are described, changes in organizational structure are discussed, and training needs are…

Compares interlibrary loan data from a 1995 survey of Greater Midwest Research Library Consortium and Association of Research Libraries members with a 1989 survey. Shows an increase in transaction to staff ratio and a negative correlation between transaction to staff ratio and lending fill rate. Relates factors affecting productivity, such as…

Describes a survey of academic libraries that explored serials collection assessment. Highlights include serials budget allocations; serials cancellation projects; changes in ratio of allocation by subject area; use of computers for serials collection assessment; use of vendors, especially for statistics; and future plans for collection…

Discussion of the organizational structure of academic libraries focuses on a study that examined how the work of academic librarians is structured and whether the traditional functions of public services and technical services are still separated. Topics addressed include the role of subject specialists, attitudes toward reorganization, and…

Library literature is examined for patterns for succession to the academic library director's position. A survey of 21 library directors of The Council on State University Libraries was conducted to determine changes. Findings indicate women find it easier to obtain library director positions through external hires; male librarians no longer have…

Describes criteria that libraries should use in selecting a book vendor from the vendor's point of view and reports on the results of a survey of community college libraries that was conducted to determine their vendor selection priorities. Highlights include accuracy of order fulfillment, discounts, and customer service. (three references) (LRW)

Describes the relationship between Carnegie Mellon University libraries and Sirsi Corporation, their integrated library-management system vendor. Topics include Carnegie Mellon's expertise in library automation research and development; and three primary elements of the alliance: research, including user protocols, surveys, and focus groups;…

Reports on a survey that examined the perceptions of public library directors in North Carolina regarding the reasons their subordinates (i.e., nondirectors) participate in continuing education activities. Results are compared with those of an earlier survey of nondirectors that identified four motivational factors--professional competence, patron…

A survey on employee turnover was administered in five Ohio public libraries, eliciting information on common reasons for and against remaining at a given position. The study found that although there are many reasons for staying, as many as 45% of respondents say they have thought seriously about leaving their job in the last 12 months. Contains…

Describes a study that examined the policies of academic libraries requiring that job applicants possess an American Library Association (ALA) accredited Masters of Library Science (MLS) degree. A survey of academic libraries and analysis of job advertisements indicate that most libraries have policies requiring an ALA accredited MLS, but would…

Compares the results of an interlibrary loan (ILL) user satisfaction survey conducted among the Greater Midwest Research Library Consortium members with institution-specific data from Iowa State University and University of Arkansas. Discusses contrasts in policies in light of results that show significant differences in supplier charges per…

Discussion of student assistants in academic libraries focuses on a study of 40 academic libraries in Texas with church affiliations that investigated ways to motivate student assistants to shelve more productively. Student attitudes are discussed, and it is concluded that a small across-the-board pay incentive is an effective motivator. (17…

Discusses issues related to formula funding and budgeting in higher education, in general, and in academic libraries, specifically. The strengths and weaknesses of state funding formulas and academic library budgeting formulas are evaluated, based on a survey of libraries in eight states. The role of coordinating agencies and structures is also…

Reviews the findings of previous studies that examined career development of women library directors, and describes a study that examined the role of the mentor and the mentoring relationship in the career development of male and female directors of Association of Research Libraries. (16 references) (CLB)