Presents revision of the original "Guidelines for Establishing Information and Referral Service in Public Libraries," adopted by the Public Library Association Board of Directors on January 22, 1980. The revision approved on January 8, 1985, reflects changes in terminology and in the information and referral field during past five years. (EJS)

Description of services and functions of special collections as found in the academic library covers criteria for acquisition of materials, categorization of formats, role of special collections in promoting university scholarship and research, archival and repository functions, and administration and policy. A 12-item bibliography is included.…

Explores problems in the design and evaluation of programs by which special libraries market their services, and identifies potentially useful approaches and quantifiable measures for market structure analysis, design decision-making, and marketing program evaluation. Eleven references and a list of nine use studies with survey instruments are…

Reviews the varying roles of academic libraries and notes ways in which libraries have become involved in administering public-access microcomputers, building software collections, and providing instructional and other support services. The goals of offering microcomputer access services and steps necessary to plan for them are examined. Eleven…

This essay suggests several criteria by which academic libraries' standards and processes might be judged: appraisal of interinstitutional cooperation, acceptance of new technologies, preservation of materials, role of library in total educational process, involvement of librarians in general unversity governance, and role of faculty users in…

Describes why and how the North American Collections Inventory Project (NCIP) involving three Indiana research libraries was implemented; how cooperative decisions and planning are proceeding as a result of the project; and benefits and drawbacks of the project. Comments on future are offered as NCIP begins Phase Three. (6 references) (EJS)

Relates problems prompted by implementation of online circulation and cataloging systems in Polytechnic of North London's Library Service. Conversion of records from former card catalog to computer file and organizational problems (position of central technical services unit, position of Library Service in total information handling structure of…

This fourth installment in five-lesson tutorial on library evaluation focuses on evaluation of library programs (short-lived activities designed to meet specific needs). Highlights include seven steps in planning cycle and sample programs (reducing library noise, long-term effects of library-use instruction). Five required and suggested readings…

Examines focal points for chronic tension between library educators and practitioners: changing programs and students, experience versus education in new personnel, criticism of practitioners, and accreditation. Comparison of library and information education with education for other professions and questions for commission on excellence in…

Investigation of perceptions about training needs of managerial personnel in Nigerian university libraries examines several relationships: perceptions of top management with those of middle/lower management; perceived needs with age, sex, education, experience, and administrative position held by middle/lower managers; relationship between staff…

Describes management experiences at University of California--Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Minnesota Biomedical Library, and California Institute of Technology. Discussions include development of ORION (UCLA's online technical processing and information system); organizational changes occurring as result of large-scale automation;…

Defining absenteeism as "unscheduled leave," this report describes an attempt to analyze the factors involved in absenteeism, which produced no significant improvement, and an absentee counseling program instituted at the University of Guelph Library in October 1980, which resulted in improved attendance within a few months. (EJS)

The crisis in collection development afflicting most members of Association of Research Libraries since the 1970s moved Indiana University Libraries to undertake a rationalization of their budget allocation procedure in light of a comparative study of peer institutions and to draft a new policy based on regional cooperation. (6 references)…

Reports on survey utilizing questionnaires, interviews, examination of relevant records, and personal observation to assess state of the art of college libraries in Kerala (smallest Indian state). Administrative set-up, organizational efficiency, finances, book selection and acquisition, technical processing, library collections, library services,…

Reports on initiatives being taken by the Association of Research Libraries, University of Pittsburgh, Research Libraries Group, and Center for Research Libraries in response to development of collection management in academic librarianship, and comments on issues emerging from these initiatives--use documentation, cooperation, and paperless…