This empirical research examined scale economies of academic research libraries that belong to the Association of Research Libraries and developed a total cost function for estimating economies of scale. Argues that libraries are information provision organizations that provide multiproducts and multiservices and compares this study with previous…

Discusses the results of responses from 63 academic libraries about the choice and content of their default home Web pages. Shows that some branch libraries display a main library Web page as the default home page for their public computers, while others display a branch library page. (Author/LRW)

Includes eight articles that address issues related to budgeting and finances in secondary school libraries. Topics include limited budgets; budget proposals; administering grants; writing grants; using Microsoft's Excel software for budgeting; using credit cards for library purchases; offering prizes for donating books; and offering coffee and…

Reports on research that focused on competence and performance of reference libraries in academic libraries in Nigeria. Includes recommendations for improving competence and performance, including the reference process; staffing and other resources; education for reference librarians; knowledge of modern technology; and emotional stability and…

Summarizes information about public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year 2000. Also contains information about service measures, including Internet access, and collections and library finance. (SLD)

Using the example of the Virtual Library of Virginia, describes how library consortia are in a state of transformation as technology enables the development of virtual libraries while expanding opportunities for sharing printed works. (EV)

Discusses results of interviews at Canadian public libraries that were conducted to determine who users thought were responsible for collection development. Concludes that librarian's work is misunderstood because of its hidden nature and suggests implications for the image of librarians, recruitment, and staffing and funding of libraries.…

Addresses issues related to library acquisition of microform collections. Cooperation in the acquisition process between libraries and scholars is urged. The value of microforms and the importance of providing finding aids are also discussed. (nine references) (MES)

Provides background on federal literacy programs and legislation. Proceedings of a national literacy forum for state libraries are summarized, and priority issues identified by participants are listed. The importance of the library role is emphasized. (MES)

Describes ways in which collection development at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries has been affected by the libraries' position within a museum context. The discussion covers the adoption by the libraries of a nomenclature that applies to management of museum objects collections and their capitalization on allied interests in such areas as…

Reports a survey of three top U.S. academic library holdings of the U.S. telecommunications periodical press. Shows a dramatic decrease in the proportion of telecommunications titles during a time when these publications were increasing in number and price. Suggests that the research library-centered information system is being bypassed. (SR)

Describes a survey of public libraries that examined the phenomenon of latchkey children. Findings discussed include the estimated number of latchkey children in public libraries, effects on the library, library policies, and services provided and recommended for latchkey children. Specific recommendations to help public libraries clarify their…

Discussion of media in public libraries focuses on independent films and alternative video. Topics addressed include commercial films; film adaptations of novels; instructional films; material selection; cataloging; video technology; and a project in Indiana that tried to encourage public librarians to collect alternative videos. (LRW)

Reports on activities at the 1995 ALA (American Library Association) Midwinter Convention in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) that were largely based on considerations of the ALA Goal 2000 plan that focuses on funding for libraries, technology, and intellectual freedom. Highlights include the proposed dues increase and the overlap of ALA divisions.…

Discusses the relationship between library collection development and preservation staff within the context of the University of Arizona library. Topics addressed include organizational structure, training, and revising collection development procedures. Results of a preservation planning study that examined the environment, collection condition,…