This study compares the overall spending trends and patterns of growth of Academic Libraries with Public Libraries, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and hospitals in the period of 1998 to 2008. Academic Libraries, while showing a growth of 13% over inflation for the period, far underperformed the growth of the other public institutions…

Presents salary data for public library directors based on information published by the International City Management Association (ICMA). Ten population groups are represented and are further classified by geographic region, city type, and form of government. A comparison of data shows highest salaries in the West and lowest in the South. (LRW)

This study examined: the position of the public library director as related to salary; benefits; geographic location of openings; academic education and degrees; professional, administrative and technological experience; professional contribution; and salaries compared to geographic location and education. The postings analyzed were from…

Mentoring in the fields of academia, business, and government has been studied since the early 1970s. The field of library science has recently begun to study this activity among the members of its profession. More research is needed to determine the extent of influence this area of career development has had on the careers of librarians. This…

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…

Describes a study that (1) compared the amount of professional input into the decision-making process between board administered and municipally integrated public libraries, and (2) examined the relationships between levels of centralization (participation in decision making and hierarchy of authority), complexity (occupational specialties,…

The quality and success of library services to users at the City of Brampton Public Library and Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada, were investigated through a series of questionnaires, statistical data analyses, and comparisons with past use studies of this and other public libraries. The study utilized the operational methodology outlined by Altman in…

Describes a study that examined the impact of federated library systems on member library services, resources, and operations in Pennsylvania. The discussion includes a rationale for the research methodology used, and comments on the absence of reliable library statistics and published reports as a basis for comparison with pre-systems situations.…

Reports the results of a study of two library systems' differing approaches to staff involvement in library planning. The systems' attempts to prepare staff members, keep them informed, and encourage staff participation are described, and the resulting benefits are contrasted. Suggestions for successful staff involvement are offered. (34…

Analyzes opinions of public library directors regarding library competencies that are most important for entry-level librarians now and in future; competencies that are most important to specializations within library; number of current library school graduates adequately possessing competencies; and where competencies should be acquired.…

This book is the result of a set of case studies that were performed in four American public libraries between 1989 and 1992. The goal of the research was to describe the effect that planning has had in a representative set of libraries, focusing planning as a social phenomenon. The city, county, federated, and suburban library are examined.…

Data collected from 318 libraries across the United States are used to (1) identify, describe, and compare the extent and variety of current library services for older adults with those in 1971, and (2) measure variables in organizational support and suggest how they might influence service provision. (Author/CLB)

Presents results of the 45th annual "Library Journal" placement and salaries survey. Highlights include professional, temporary, and part-time job outlooks; library school stability; status of traditional jobs; placement trends, including minority placements; comparison of salaries; and a sidebar that profiles a librarian in her first professional…

Leadership abilities of male and female chief executive officers (CEOs) of 54 Ontario public libraries were evaluated by 272 board members and management or professional staff. CEOs generally rated high on all criteria; they were evaluated more highly by board members than by staff. Male CEOs were perceived to be more effective at securing…

This report of the findings of a year-long policy analysis of New York City's three public branch library systems, carried out by the Nova Institute in cooperation with a study committee composed of city and library officials, opens with a brief historic account of the development of the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, and…