Academic libraries invest thousands of dollars in assistive technologies (AT) for enhancing the delivery of information services to disabled patrons. However, offering AT might not result in their use by the patrons who need them, thereby leading to a service divide. The analysis of qualitative responses, including more than 1,400 quotations,…

The role of the academic library, student library usage, and faculty perceptions of student learning have been ongoing discussions for many years. The purpose of this study was to bring those conversations together and illustrate how students at a mid-size university are currently using their library, preferences for library space usage, and…

Approximately five years ago, the library at Emporia State University started a laptop lending service to provide laptops for use in the library. The program has been highly successful. In the last few years, some modifications were made to the program, and netbooks were added. In this article, the authors will explore laptop programs in a variety…

An automated retrieval system, adapted from a commercial warehouse application, has been installed at Georgia Southern University and has been well accepted by patrons and library personnel due to its reliability, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and responsiveness. (Contains 1 figure.)

In the summer of 2004, Georgia Southern University began a library construction project that was to last 4 years. An important aspect was the installation of an Automated Retrieval System (ARC) to house a substantial portion of the library collections so that more space could be available for students, faculty, and the services to meet their…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the effects of the use of dual-screen monitors by library staff in an academic library. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used to gather information from library staff to examine the positive and negative effects of utilizing dual-screen monitors.

In 2004, Sampson-Livermore Library at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, began circulating laptops to its patrons. After a small pilot project, full-scale implementation occurred and the service proved to be very popular. Policies and procedures were adjusted at several steps along the way to accommodate lessons learned from the…

Demonstrates factors involved in moving a university library to a new location, based on experiences at the University of Kentucky. Some logistics of a move include the following: the collection has to be measured and its destination determined; a book that is relabeled should be handled only five times; book carts must avoid gridlock; getting it…

Discusses personal digital assistants (PDAs). Highlights include history and characteristics of PDAs; beyond the "organizer" function and use of PDAs in higher education and academic libraries; problems and possibilities of a wirelessly networked PDA in a library; and the future outlook for PDAs. (AEF)

Description of the microfilming of a women's studies archive at the Texas Woman's University Library discusses: (1) project background; (2) criteria for equipment purchase; (3) equipment selected; (4) recommended resources; (5) indexing and layout decisions; (6) the filming process; and (7) the pros and cons of in-house microreproduction. (three…

Describes problems encountered during the cataloging of three major microform sets at the Indiana University Libraries. Areas discussed include size and contents of the sets, staffing for the project, equipment, authority work, rare book cataloging rules, serials, language of materials, musical scores, and manuscripts. (CLB)

Discusses experiences at the Niagara University Library with compact shelving. Highlights include citations to other relevant articles; patron use; selection of vendor; reliability; possible problems; and installation considerations, such as floor-load requirements. (LRW)

Describes how the library staff at Stetson University in central Florida coped with flooding. Offers recommendations on storage; carpeting; fans and humidifiers; emergency phone contacts; labeled keys; protective coverings for books; safe storage for "disaster" materials and equipment; removal of less valuable materials; sandbags;…

Discussion of human engineering factors of using online catalogs offers guidelines for selection and placement of terminals and furniture. (eight references) (MES)

Describes facsimile technology and reviews library telefacsimile projects. Four issues to be considered before purchasing telefacsimile equipment are discussed: (1) patron need; (2) processing priorities; (3) copy quality; and (4) cost factors. Costs are compared with other delivery methods, and new developments in facsimile transmission are…