Describes some characteristics of the modern organization that affect contract or negotiated management and identifies changes in approach relevant for library and information organizations management now and in the future. (EM)

This study determines the current length of service among library directors at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and non-ARL libraries and compares findings with similar investigations completed in early 1970s. Responses on gender, ethnic background, position titles, internal promotion, professional experience, degrees, and retirement and…

Examines criteria for software selection and the use of software packages (programs, routines, documentation) in school library management. General criteria, specific criteria for selecting library management programs (for tasks such as circulation, cataloging, recordkeeping), specific criteria for selecting educational programs, and reviewing…

Circulation time-series data from 50 midwest academic libraries were used to test 110 variants of 8 smoothing forecasting methods. Data and methodologies and illustrations of two recommended methods--the single exponential smoothing method and Brown's one-parameter linear exponential smoothing method--are given. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Reviews recent research on the rate of implementation and impacts of office automation (i.e., expanding microcomputer use, expert systems, electronic publishing) and outlines how these impacts may lead to changes in roles and services of libraries and information professionals. (Author/MBR)

This overview of the development of scientific and technical libraries in the United States highlights changes since World War II and present-day characteristics, role of the information manager, planning process, fiscal management, collection management, services, impact of technology, networking, marketing library services, and implications for…

Focusing on management decisions in academic libraries, this article compares management information systems (MIS) with decision support systems (DSS) and discusses the decision-making process, information needs of library managers, sources of data, reasons for choosing microcomputer, preprogrammed application software, prototyping a system, and…

Reports results of study based upon analysis of factors that have militated against proportional representation of women as administrators in libraries belonging to Association of Research Libraries. Demographic and career variables are emphasized: family background and personal characteristics, mobility and career history, role models and…

This study compares attitudes of top level academic library managers with those of middle managers toward the provision of bibliographic instruction. Highlights include hypotheses and research questions; review of literature (doctoral dissertations, journal articles, reports, guidelines); methodology (design, population and sample, data…

Reports on emergence of decision support system (DSS) as a practical approach for applying computers and information to problems facing management. Information processing and decision making in organizations, simulation-model-based DSS in management of library resource sharing networks, and a resource-sharing simulation system are highlighted.…

Two articles describe National Shelflist Count project organized 13 years ago under auspices of American Library Association's Resources and Technical Services Division to collect and publish comparative data about strengths and growth of major North American research collections. History, limitations, usefulness, and recommendations of 1983 task…

Step-by-step description of the community analysis and survey project undertaken by Grande Prairie Public Library (Alberta, Canada) includes discussion of use of American Library Association's "Planning Process for Public Libraries" as a guideline for designing staff, citizen, and user surveys. Statement of revenue and expenses (1982) is…

A survey of the literature reveals that reliance upon student library assistants has become traditional in American institutions of higher education. The recent government-sponsored development of hiring policies, training programs, and evaluation procedures for student employees confirms their stability as academic library personnel. Forty-three…

This examination of trends and issues that have shaped two-year college learning resources centers (LRCs) focuses on functions within domain of LRC itself. Highlights include factors affecting organizational structure and design, changes in development of the LRC as an organization over the last decade, and LRC structure in practice. (52…

Directors of academic, public, and special libraries were asked to relate curricula of master's degree programs in library and information science to their own perceived needs and preferences in hiring of junior professionals. Options for alternatives to education outside one-year degree setting were examined and ranked. Seventeen references are…