Libraries are integrating Web 2.0 services into work practices, positioning themselves in online social environments, and deploying enhanced search and discovery tools. Collections conversely are not progressing to the same degree. Like many public services today, library budgets are stained. User-pay options are appearing in library systems,…

A velcro board presentation of an input-output model, illustrating the public library as a community information system, can be used to define the library to citizen taxpayers. The major input to the system is tax dollars and its basic components are librarians, recorded information, facilities, and equipment. The output depends on the library's…

Presents a model for establishing a conservation program in a library. A preliminary discussion of conservation strategies and the committee approach is followed by a list of tasks; for each task the purpose and goals are briefly explained, and some bibliographic citations are provided, with works chosen for their currency and usefulness.…

Discussions of goal, process, and structure approaches for measuring library service effectiveness are reviewed and a scheme integrating these approaches is presented. Preferred ways of reviewing library effectiveness are identified for four major constituencies: staff, directors, users, and societal groups such as funding agencies. A discussion…

This paper begins with a discussion of the characteristics and the singularity of chaotic systems, including dynamic systems theory, chaotic orbit, fractals, chaotic attractors, and characteristics of chaotic systems. The second section addresses the digital libraries (DL) concept and the appropriateness of chaotic models, including definition and…

Reviews some approaches to organizational effectiveness suggested by organizational theorists, reports on the applications of these theories in libraries, develops some hypotheses regarding the assessment of performance in libraries, and describes a model which synthesizes some of the approaches. A 52-item reference list is attached. (Author/JL)

The learning resources program at Tarrant Count Junior College calls for a district-wide resource dedicated to the support of instruction. Traditional library and media services are subsumed within this approach. The operational model consists of many interrelated subsystems most of which are described by flow charts. The systems viewpoint is…

Presents Checkland's soft systems methodology, discusses it in terms of the systems approach, and illustrates how it was used to relate evidence of user survey to practical problems of library management. Difficulties in using methodology are described and implications for library management and information science research are presented. (8…

John Shank and Steven Bell describe A_FLIP (Administrators, Faculty, Librarians Instructional Partnership), a model of professional collaboration that promotes the fuller integration of appropriate library resources into the overall structure of course management systems as well as the online design of specific courses. As they outline their…

This plan, designed for implementation in the Jackson and Josephine County library systems in Oregon, describes a cooperative method of staff development. The first section includes a brief discussion of the historical background to the training program, the service populations and staffing for the two counties, the continuing education resources…

The major objectives of the study were to produce a storage/transportation model which minimized (1) the cost of storage space for book materials, and (2) cost of transportation for book materials. In minimizing these costs, they are considered in relation to the time required to provide service. The data used in the study include land and…

Information can play a vital role in assisting inner city residents to cope with major survival problems. The provision of supportive information increases the effectiveness of all types of advocacy. The limited success achieved by recent library outreach programs in the inner city is partially due to the absence of a commitment to advocacy by the…