Reports results of a survey of university film libraries and educational film companies that examined the impact of new technologies on their operations. The discussion covers trends toward 1/2-inch video, automation of processes, a shift toward an on-campus focus, and the impact of copyrights and funding on organizational policies. (CLB)

Describes a project that simulated the impact of three scenarios on health care patterns and the health situation of elderly people in the Netherlands. The discussion covers the utilization of outcomes by policymakers and future applications of simulations by scenario projects. (41 notes with references) (CLB)

Describes the information policy framework prescribed by OMB Circular No. A-130, which introduces the distinction between access to information and information dissemination. The discussion covers the use of electronic collection and dissemination of government information, together with the need to safeguard privacy and public access to…

Discusses the results of two surveys assessing the medical and psychiatric needs of the homeless in San Francisco. Describes a program designed to meet the needs of this population, advocating further programmatic and policy considerations to respond to the problem of homelessness. (Author/KS)

Traces the historical background of the machine readable records program of the National Archives of Canada. The systems overview approach used to appraise records is discussed, including content and technical analyses, and the processing and dissemination activities of the program are described. (CLB)

Decisions that need to be made when preparing for labor agreements are outlined including philosophical approach (policy); legal framework (varies between states and between public and private); organizing, unit determination, and election activity decisions; bargaining activity decisions; and contract administration and renegotiation decisions.…

College and university administrators and trustees have an obligation to maximize the return on all available resources consistent with law and with prudent conduct. Assessing and minimizing risk is an essential component of developing a creative financing program. (MLW)

The reasons for writing or not writing statements of editorial mission, goals, and policy are discussed. The editors of two commercial-magazines that don't have a written editorial policy discuss why. (MLW)

Describes a methodology which analyzes courses described in university catalogs in order to produce a database used in the compilation of a collection development policy statement. Each step of the analysis is described, and tables are used to track sample data through the entire process. (CLB)

Research findings have been used by states to formulate legislation to increase child passenger safety. Case studies from Kansas and Illinois are presented. The process is most successful when researchers are sensitive to the policy making process. The implications for the use of psychological research findings are discussed. (VM)

A policy statement prepared by a joint committee of the American Association of University Professors and the Association of American Colleges about retirement plans and plans for insurance benefits for faculty members and administrators is presented. (MLW)

The estimation of a comprehensive model describing student perceptions of college quality permits the determination of the relative importance of the influences that affect these perceptions. This knowledge is instrumental for directing efforts toward improving perceptions and for evaluating the effectiveness of changes in recruitment practices.…

Identifies issues pertaining to federal information that need to be addressed by a national information policy; discusses the failure of the federal government to formulate such a policy, and the reasons for that failure; and describes the author's proposed Government Information Act. (CLB)

Several reference librarians respond to the Hernon and McClure study on the accuracy of library reference services. Highlights include problems with the methodology used (unobtrusive observation), and performance factors not addressed by the study. Comments by Hernon and McClure address these responses and ways to improve reference services are…

A list of trustee responsibilities, as adapted from a private college's trustee handbook, includes suggestions for active involvement in decision making, self-education about the institution and issues, and participation in meetings. (MSE)