Traditional budgeting starts with the previous year's budget, but zero base budgeting demands that each activity be justified from "scratch," and establishes a number of increments for each unit, in order of priority. Given the set of increments and the money available, management can determine what activities to finance. (Author)

Discusses the development of a management technique that combats the impact of organizational retrenchment and its practical applications within special libraries and as an aid to survival of the parent organization. Five major classes of strategies are outlined--resource development, productivity, economy measures, interorganizational…

Discusses the background and theory of the Critical Success Factors (CSF) management method, as well as its application in an information center or other special library environment. CSF is viewed as a management tool that can enhance the viability of the special library within its parent organization. (FM)

Describes the library renovation project of the MITRE Corporation's Washington Center Library in which limited space was stretched and made more efficient through the collaboration of library management, architect, and contractor. (Author/JD)

The first of two papers on leadership and information professionals reviews some relevant management literature. Twenty references are listed. The second paper outlines seven steps for personal/career planning: (1) Background; (2) Strengths and Weaknesses; (3) Environment; (4) Options; (5) Selection; (6) Action Plan; and (7) Evaluation. (MES)

Discusses two techniques of systems analysis--Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program Evaluation Review Techniques (PERT)--and their place in library management. An overview of CPM and PERT charting procedures is provided. (11 references) (Author/MES)

Describes power and its sources, and identifies factors that can contribute to the organizational powerlessness of special librarians: nature of work; contributions difficult to measure; underdeveloped utilization of expertise; removal from circle of management elite; and small staff. This situation can be mitigated by awareness, planning, and…

Summarizes the budgeting methodology followed at one Canadian university faced with making budget cuts to achieve a balanced budget. The article focuses on the business library component, providing the major results of the process as well as discussing the problems encountered, the benefits, and the drawbacks. (Author)

Encapsulates a wrap-up session on technical programs presented at the Special Libraries Association's June 1987 conference, including presentations in the areas of information technology, management, education, and international issues. Ethics, value, leadership, international issues, image, and risk are identified as major themes of the…

Reports on interviews with 25 information professionals regarding their experiences in corporate information centers and the value of information to the organization. Topics addressed include (1) knowing the organization; (2) marketing services; (3) financial planning; and (4) being/having a boss. A directory of subjects interviewed is included.…

Discusses several pitfalls that face corporate special librarians, including: defining the library role; management control; decentralization; budgeting; user expectations; purchasing control; organizational propaganda; reporting; clerical staffing; and end-user searching. (five references) (MES)

The Alberta Government Libraries' Council Job Specifications Committee presents an all-inclusive checklist of tasks which might be performed in a special library. Designed as a tool to aid in the development of job descriptions in a library setting, it is organized into three categories: library management, technical services, and public services.…

Describes a continuing education course which addresses the dollar value of access to information and the mechanics of how to charge fees within an institution or as an entrepreneur. The significance of the topic, characteristics of students taking the class, and the course outline are reviewed. (MES)

Describes the benefits and drawbacks of the use of OCLC in the one-person library at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. Cataloging functions, interlibrary loan, retrospective catalog conversion, dial access to online databases, and training problems are discussed. (JL)

Examines issues of special library management and the emphases in SLA (Special Libraries Association) continuing education courses dealing with these issues. Five courses taught for SLA are described, including one-day courses on management communications, delegation, and effective supervisory skills, as well as seminars dealing with human…