What do school librarians fear most? Hands down, their biggest fear is a formal challenge to a resource in the school library. There are no accurate statistics about the number of challenges to school library resources. The staff of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom estimates that only about 20 percent are reported to ALA annually. For the…

With their explosive sales and widespread availability over the past few years, e-books have definitively proven that they're here to stay. In this sequel to her best-selling book of the same title, expert Polanka dives even deeper into the world of digital distribution. Contributors from across the e-book world offer their perspectives on what's…

Thanks in part to technology, the boundaries of library positions are dissolving. It is no longer practical to discuss the profession in terms of traditional library types, and in today's library, the relationship between librarians and technology is stronger than ever. In this informative volume, veteran author Laura Townsend Kane interviews…

There's no shortage of library management books out there--but how many of them actually tackle the little details of day-to-day management, the hard-to-categorize things that slip through the cracks of a larger handbook? "Library Management Tips that Work" does exactly that, addressing dozens of such issues facing library managers, including: (1)…

Seven articles address topics related to leadership and library administration: (1) the nature of leadership; (2) the role of mentorship in developing library leaders; (3) the relationship between leadership and personnel development; (4) leadership roles for librarians; (5) library directors as middle managers; (6) raising librarians' salaries;…

In this new, expanded edition step-by-step guidelines are provided for customizing a staff development program that is both proactive and goal-oriented. Drawing on the advice of 37 top experts with a variety of skill sets, this book presents information on how to assess a library's needs and set training goals, budget appropriately, develop a set…

This book is a collection of the author's following publications and speeches, primarily from 1995-2000: "Look at All Those Beautiful Birds Overhead!""Priorities for the Research Library Budget,""What Do We Give 'Em?""The Legacy of John Swan,""Small Public Libraries-Challenges, Opportunities, and Irrelevancies,""Lead Me Not into Temptation To Do…

Strong archival programs are rare, in part because the vital issues of program leadership and management have not been given sustained attention. As a consequence, many programs are under-funded, under-supported, and lack sufficient space, staff, and other resources necessary to carry out their important work. This collection of writings from…

A Fall 1981 Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members found that of 80 respondents, 60 libraries reported 123 specialty positions involving a wide range of activities. The initial document in this kit on specialty positions in ARL libraries provides findings and statistics related to…

As in past years, this 17th volume of "Advances in Library Administration and Organization" brings together a number of articles relating to issues that affect the lives of library managers. Articles include: "Promotion and Tenure for Academic Librarians: Current Practices at Selected Institutions" (W. Bede Mitchell); "The Relationship between…

This book brings together articles that have appeared in "Technology Connection,""Library Talk," and "The Book Report" magazines over the past five years. All of the articles have important tips, tricks, techniques, and suggestions for building a successful library media program. The book is divided into six chapters,…

If managed well, electronic journals (e-journals) can be extremely efficient, saving money and space while improving access and speeding information delivery. With the help of the Internet, e-journals can also make library collections more accessible to both users and staff. Covering the process of managing electronic serials from licensing,…

Since 1989, the Reference and User Services Association/Management and Operation of User Services Section's Management of Reference Committee has successfully used case studies to foster structured discussions among public service librarians on a wide variety of issues relating to managing change in reference services. The information offered in…

Long regarded as the premier monographic series in its area of coverage, "Advances in Library Administration and Organization" offers research perspectives that are both timely and lively. This 18th volume continues the series' long practice of bringing to its professional and academic readership an eclectic mix of scholarship and longish essays.…

This book provides insight into how managers of federally sponsored libraries view their roles and carry out their duties. Seven federally supported libraries were selected to serve as case studies. These libraries represent a cross-section of various types, and the nine chapters are written by librarians from these facilities. The discussion…