This case study describes the use of an information technology vendor conference to assure the smooth opening of a public library in Portland, Oregon. Vendors for hardware, telecommunications, integrated library systems, and networks met with library administration and staff to troubleshoot problems and share information and to ensure a timely…

A recent national survey polled public library directors and local government officials concerning the value of public library services and outlook for local tax support of public libraries. This article focuses on procedures used in planning the study sample, and broader issues to be considered in designing a national sample for public libraries.…

Presents a strategy for completing a library media center policy review, from evaluating existing policies through submitting policies to the school board for approval. Special attention is paid to issues related to the use of new technologies in middle and high school library media centers, including student/faculty technology use, circulation,…

The eLib-funded FIDDO (Focused Investigation of Document Delivery Options) project provides library managers/others with information to support policy decisions. Senior libraries were interviewed about the future of document delivery and interviews were analyzed with the support of NUD*IST (Nonnumerical Unstructured Data by Indexing, Searching and…

Reports on the book-buying trends and predilections of libraries at two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities, and large research institutions. Four tables and figures show findings for purchasing power of academic libraries; areas academic librarians believe need more titles; most-bought book categories; and sources used to make…

This first of two articles on cultural diversity in the library profession includes comments from presidents of three of the American Library Association (ALA) ethnic caucuses: Spanish-Speaking, Asian and Pacific American, and Chinese American. Topics discussed include mentoring, education, networking, leadership, and activities of the Library…

Discussion of nontraditional entrepreneurial universities and challenges that they pose to library administrators at more traditional universities highlights experiences at the University of Phoenix (Arizona). Topics addressed include adult learning theories; curriculum development; learning resource services; accreditation issues; fair use;…

Discusses how to integrate a computer lab with a school library media center. Topics include planning; management issues; printing guidelines; scheduling; instruction and integration; staff development; supervision while classes are in the computer lab; and technical issues. (LRW)

This manifesto for school libraries that is endorsed by UNESCO, and developed by Gwynneth Evans of the National Library of Canada, discusses the mission of the school library, including access to services and materials; funding legislation and library networks; goals to support the development of literacy; staff; operation and management; and…

Explores controversial questions related to libraries' decision-making on paper journals and electronic journals. Notes that the critical mass of scholarly publishing is still in print. Discusses benefits and drawbacks of electronic journals and paper journals. Presents comments on the pros and cons to binding paper periodicals gathered from an…

This article discusses the web and print resources used in selecting material for a dental sciences collection in an academic library at a public university without a medical library. The process of creating a collection quickly and with limited resources is described, from the initial collection assessment to the decision-making processes…

Prior to 1997, the University of Oxford in Great Britain had approximately one hundred autonomous libraries with little coordination of services, collection development, or management among them. In that year a new director was hired with the mandate to integrate many of these libraries into one centralized system. Over the past seven years…

"Conversations with California Community College Librarians" is a snapshot in time at a time when colleges are swelling with new students, technology is surging ahead, and campus revenues are not keeping pace with growth or modernization needs. College library collections and services are increasingly technology-dependent. College…

The South Carolina State Library presents its long-term plans for using federal funds received under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Titles 4 through 8 of the act are administered directly by the U.S. Department of Education. This document shows how South Carolina plans to use funds from Title 1, Library Services; Title 2, Public…

This document is an introductory guide to all aspects of law librarianship. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an overview of the history and nature of law libraries and the nature of the legal field and legal clientele. Collection development is discussed in chapter 3, covering such aspects as acquisitions, alternatives to purchasing materials, selection…