This self-study--part of a series of studies conducted at Michigan State University Libraries--was undertaken to make recommendations for improvements in public services. The study team was directed not to limit its analysis to immediate concerns, but also to take a long-term view of the development of library service. Task forces were organized…

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…

Three articles present: results of survey of use of videocassettes and audiocassettes in academic and public libraries; (2) results of a survey of library collections of audiocassettes of books and their acceptance by patrons; and (3) a description of the operation of a videocircuit by a regional library system. (EJS)

This SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) Kit presents the results of a survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries designed to investigate the changes in research library systems operations since 1994 and to identify future trends. A total of 70 of 124 ARL member libraries responded to the survey. A copy of the…

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL), in partnership with Geographic Information System (GIS) vendors and foundations launched the GIS Literacy Project in 1992. This SPEC Kit and Flyer provide results from a survey conducted to examine how, in the years since the GIS Literacy Project began, ARL libraries have organized their delivery of…

Provides background on the adoption of standards for reference service in public, special, academic, and high school libraries by the Suburban Library System (Illinois) and discusses their implementation and plans for evaluation. Highlights of the standards for written policies, staff, and resources are given; and the problem of noncompliance is…

Building joint-use libraries to foster new types of learning and collaboration is a growing phenomenon that is of great interest to academic library planners around the world. Noteworthy among these efforts, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in San Jose, California, is a collaboration of a metropolitan university library and a major public…

This resource guide is designed to assist local schools in South Dakota to evaluate and improve their library media programs. The information provided is non-regulatory in nature (with the exception of information from the "Administrative Rules of South Dakota"), and represents a foundation for building a quality library media program.…

This annual report of the State Library of South Carolina for 1992-1993 summarizes the library's operations, accomplishments, and status for the fiscal year. The following topics are included in the report: (1) the governance/mission statement of the State Library; (2) the history of the library; (3) organization and operations; (4) library…

This document presents guidelines for establishing, modifying, and building library media programs which effectively meet the needs of students. It is divided into five sections: (1) The Process of Program Development, which discusses planning a library media program and its relationship to curriclum development; (2) The School Library Media…

This report reviews the activities, structure, and organization of the Southwest Michigan Library Network (SMLN) and provides a review of multitype networking in several other states, sources of funding, and issues in national networking. The SMLN is a cooperative group of 56 libraries located within the five counties of Allegan, Berrien, Cass,…

This self-study of the Ezra Lehman Library at Shippensburg State College presents the analyses and recommendations of two library task forces--one on organization, communication, goals and objectives, and one on user relations. The responsibility of the first group was to develop implementable recommendations for necessary or desirable changes in…

More effective use of diminishing resources was needed to provide the best possible services at the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) library. This required the improved decision-making processes of a Library Management Information System (LMIS) to provide systematic information analysis. An information flow model was created, and an…

In 1975 a study of the Ontario (Canada) public library system was undertaken in order to develop plans for organizing, financing, and coordinating public libraries in the next ten years. From published reports, interviews, letters, and examination of facilities and available data, information was collected on provincial and county library…

Library use is declining in the United States because print media is no longer the preferred media of a large majority of the population. Of the wide variety of media used for information, instruction, and entertainment, only a small variety is available through the public library. Selection of appropriate media formats for library acquisition…