The foundation of the mighty Google Empire rests upon an algorithm that connects people to information--things such as websites, maps, and restaurant reviews. Lately it seems that people are less interested in connecting with information than they are with connecting to one another, which begs the question, "Is Facebook the new Google?" Given this…

Libraries have never been stable or static. They are inevitably designed for one information vessel and have to learn to accommodate a new one. Scrolls became codices, and books were augmented with vinyl records, VHS tapes, and CDs. The only difference in trying to manage technology now, as opposed to then, is that change comes so much more…

Ever since North Carolina State University Libraries launched their Endeca-based OPAC replacement in the beginning of 2006, the library world has been completely obsessed with ditching their old, tired catalog interfaces (and with good reason) for the greener pastures of more sophisticated indexing, more accurate relevance ranking, dust jackets,…

This article explains a two-part plan, created by the people at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC), to help staff members keep up with the sea change of technology. A core competencies training program was developed. This keeps workers afloat by providing them with the technology skills they need to support the change…

Discussion of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) that supports operational and managerial planning of automation projects covers challenges of library automation, evolution and scope of SDLC, lack of dissemination of SDLC literature within library and information science community, and corrective measures to meet library automation demands.…

This discussion includes a review of Drucker's concept of entrepreneurship, a current management trend in which organizations encourage entrepreneurship and innovation from employees. Drucker's discussion of public service institutions and the relationship of those points to library management are highlighted. (CLB)

Jacob Fried and Paul Molnar developed a model to simulate the interaction between technological change and social interaction which consists of two zones: (1) task requisites; and (2) the corresponding organizational responses. To define task requisites for library collections, it is necessary to identify the dimensions of the problem and the…

This essay relates author's experiences as librarian, educator, and administrator. Discussion covers elements of good librarianship, art of administration, climate in academic libraries, staff motivation in midst of technological changes, right person in wrong place or wrong person at wrong time, and associations with Keyes Metcalf and Luther H.…

Offers a perspective on changes that have occurred in academic reference librarianship since 1980. Topics include librarians' responsibilities; the changing uses of reference services by students and faculty; technological advancements; the organization of libraries, including management styles and theories; roles of libraries and librarians; and…

The following information is provided in this annual report: names and positions of 1996 Board of Trustees members, Library of Michigan Foundation 1996 Board of Directors, legislative council, alternate members, and Library of Michigan staff; the library mission; a list of 10 major administrative tasks conducted in 1996; service and technological…

Current library automation practices and new technologies have forced library managers to seek some means of reducing carpal tunnel syndrome, and a case study of Texas A&M's library provides insights. Highlights include identifying and assessing the injuries, adjusting work surfaces, testing and selecting new keyboards, and developing…

This document records testimony before the U.S. Senate on the reauthorization of Public Law 84-597, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). The original purpose of the LSCA was to bring library services to rural areas and to those citizens who had previously been deprived of access (the handicapped, disadvantaged, and those who speak…

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)

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)

It is argued that, with the emergence of new technologies, the traditional missions and "domains" of academic libraries and campus computing services need to be adjusted to support collaboration. Specific collaborative projects linked to strategic plans are recommended over forced mergers or overly ambitious multigoal projects. (MSE)