The 133rd meeting of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) focused on strategies for confronting critical challenges associated with the digital era and for fostering understanding from university leaders and supporters regarding the resources needed to perform successfully in this print plus digital environment. Program Session I,…

This special issue of "ARL: A Bimonthly Report" contains the remarks that William G. Bowen delivered to the research library community in October 2005 at the 147th Membership Meeting of ARL. For the past 17 years Dr. Bowen has served as President of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. In these remarks, entitled "New Times Always; Old Time We Cannot…

This paper discusses the experiences of the Research Department of the Italian Chamber of Deputies over the past few years. The first section describes the origin of the department in the 1970s, including political factors, basic organizational features, and the salient features of the department's activity. The second section addresses the…

This manual provides a beginning approach for research libraries to better describe the use and users of their networked services. The manual also aims to increase the visibility and importance of developing such statistics and measures. Specific objectives are: to identify selected key statistics and measures that can describe use and users of…

This paper discusses ensuring high quality research services that meet client needs, based on experiences at the Research and Information Services of the Ontario Legislative Library (Canada). The first section is an introduction that provides an overview of the Research and Information Services and summarizes factors related to quality control.…

This document is intended to stimulate thinking about the role of the library in the digital age, about the potential--and the imperative--for libraries to meet new needs, and about how these needs will influence the design of physical space. The goal of this document is to expose an array of perspectives on the future of the library and to…

An historical profile of the New York Public Library helps explain its budgeting problems. Extensive fund raising in 1972 enabled the five research libraries to remain open to the public, but sustained federal funding will soon be necessary. (DH)

A description of the methodology used in collecting performance data in a large academic research library is given. Twelve types of surveys used to measure and evaluate users, services, and materials were developed. Costs of providing research services were found to be 64 percent versus 36 percent for instructional purposes (1 reference)…

Predicts that intellectual and technological revolutions will place new and continuing demands on libraries. Public libraries will develop a community orientation where private research facilities exist but public research libraries will also develop. Permanent research and evaluation programs will be established. (JS)

Summary of kinds of microform materials available and sources, including both publishers and customer services. Lists suppliers, news sources, handbooks, and bibliographies for the field. (JS)

Technical progress in transmission and microreproduction have created a need for drastic revisions in the traditional research library's goal of autonomy in serving the needs of its clientele. Trends toward viewing library collections as segments of a national resource are summarized. (JS)

The trend toward extensive computerization of the processes of research libraries is indicated as excessive, uncritical and inefficient. (JN)

A brief review of the essential background and report on the progress, evaluation and future outlook of this unique program. (Author/NH)

Describes a survey completed by 30 major Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries in November 1979 which was undertaken to identify the problems associated with the recruitment of middle- and upper-level research library managers. Five data tables accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Describes a user-oriented model for setting priorities for services in a medium-size scientific/technical research library. A survey of the research staffs of three organizations regarding their conception of library priorities is compared with the budgets and opinions of the three library directors. The questionnaire used is included. (Author/JD)