One pressing issue in libraries today is the censorship of information. This study applies Kurt Lewin's gatekeeping theory to examine the decision-makers as well as the different pressures and constraints that are at issue in decisions regarding challenges and censorship attempts that occur in public libraries. Through an in-depth case study of…

This research examined the functions and roles of public library systems in New York State and the services they provide for individual libraries and the public. The dissertation further studied the service decision-making processes at three selected New York State cooperative public library systems. Public library systems have played an important…

Do we add that edgy urban novel to our teen collection? Should we initiate social networking? What about abandoning Dewey for a bookstore arrangement? Change is risky business, but librarians must be prepared to initiate change to best serve teens. YA (young adult) service innovators Linda W. Braun, Hillias J. Martin, and Connie Urquhart explain…

Excerpts from a new book by Kenneth R. Shaffer entitled Decision Making; A Seminar in Public Library Management." (Author)

Argues that leadership and managerial skills should be developed in all librarians including children's librarians. The problems of developing managerial skills as a training function of the library organization are addressed and suggestions for an administrator planning such training are given. (EM)

Throughout the history of public libraries in the United States, great accomplishments have been achieved through the active participation of local community members. This handbook from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission is addressed to those citizens who attain appointments to their city or county library advisory boards. Its…

Briefly describes the career of Herbert Goldhor and discusses two aspects of his contributions to librarianship: public library service and administration, including the collection and publication of data for analysis and use by researchers and decision makers; and scientific research in librarianship. A chronological list of over 175 publications…

Using the Derbyshire Project as an example, describes the adaptation for use in public libraries of Benefit Assessment and System Change (BASYC), which was developed as a decision-support framework coordinating subjective and objective factors that influence management decisions to change policies or systems. Three data tables are included.…

The legal foundation and administration of library services in the United Kingdom are reviewed in terms of legislative acts which currently affect library services directly: the Public Libraries and Museums Act of 1964 places public library services under the Secretary of State for Education as part of the reorganization of the local authority…

This is a study on the operating efficiency of the public library system in Australia. Cost functions have been fitted to library data and the results are interpreted with a view to generating insights into the functioning of the existing library system. An exploratory cost benefit analysis has also been attempted. Activities of libraries have…

Proposes ways in which computerized data available in public libraries can be organized and used for management decision making. Experiences in the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library system and the Monroe County (Indiana) Public Library system are described, and use of the data for preparing materials acquisition budgets is discussed. (36…

Represented are the detailed set of data structures relevant to the categorization of information, terminology, and definitions employed in the design of the library statistical data base. The data base, or management information system, provides administrators with a framework of information and standardized data for library management, planning,…

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) has developed a library statistical data base which concentrates on the management information needs of administrators of public and academic libraries. This document provides an overview of the framework and conceptual approach employed in the design of the data base. The data…

The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) has completed the development and demonstration of a library statistical data base. The data base, or management information system, was developed for administrators of public and academic libraries. The system provides administrators with a framework of information and…

Examines aspects of automation of technical services in four public libraries with major emphasis on management decisions (key decisions, constraints limiting options available, decision makers). Factors which emerged as important in determining decisions included municipal council attitudes, facilities available, urgency of need to change,…