Discusses the determinants of the quality of library services, the difficulties involved in attempting to measure quality, and the need for the profession to explore methods to improve library service quality. (CLB)

This essay reviews the functions of the Tanzanian National Central Library (NCL) and evaluates the activities performed and services provided by the NCL in light of the definitions of national library functions established by UNESCO and by K. W. Humphreys, Librarian of the University of Birmingham. The relationship between the NCL and the…

Discusses the role of the "Standards for College Libraries" in accreditation. A comparison of 20 library assessment criteria for 5 regional accrediting bodies using the "Standards for College Libraries" is appended. (AEF)

Discussion of public library standards focuses on an examination of four quantitative standards: hours of service, library resources, library staff, and library operating budgets, to determine if any agreement exists about them among states. Results indicate that there is no consensus regarding public library standards or approaches to public…

An ad hoc working group of the International Standards Organization met twice to study the feasibility of establishing an international standard on library performance measures. Having determined that library development in many countries could be significantly advanced through the availability of an international performance standard, the working…

This report presents the results of a study of the Extended Campus Library Services program at Western Kentucky University (WKU), which was conducted by a committee appointed by the Director of University Libraries. A description of the program's goals and objectives is followed by a review of the extended campus programs in relation to similar…

Describes management techniques used by administrators of special libraries to meet library standards while facing drastic reductions in budgets and staff. Ways of managing library acquisitions, stretching staff utilization, and assigning additional responsibilities to special librarians are suggested. (CLB)

Explores what the library profession can learn from indigenous peoples. Highlights include cooperation, decision making, improving management, using workplace stories to provide reinforcement for success, generosity in service principles, patience, developing information networks, and diversity. (AEF)

Describes general trends toward improved library services in Indonesia, including the development of the National Library, increased services to rural areas, the provision of scientific and technical information and research tools, compilation of indexes, expansion of special and academic libraries, and the establishment of uniform standards. (10…

Examines advantages and disadvantages of the traditional model of undifferentiated service versus an alternative model of differentiated services, which includes directions and general information; technical assistance, "information lookup" for the client, research consultation, and library instruction. Suggests each service should fit…

Based on observations made at the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) on September 8, 9, and 10, 1982 and on documents supplied by NLS, this report compares standards published in the 1979 document entitled "Standards of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically…

Visits were made to each of the 11 teachers colleges libraries in Papua New Guinea over a 2-month period to study the conditions in the libraries and provide advice on future development that can be effected by present staff and with limited resources. This paper discusses current collection procedures and needs; the organization and distribution…

The learning resources programs analyzed in this report include the library, audiovisual, television, and production services of 15 Massachusetts community colleges. The study is based on a questionnaire/checklist developed from the 1972 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) guidelines for 2-year college learning resources programs…

Advocates the use of the Total Quality Management (TQM) model for libraries to survive financially and to retain their customers. An award for library quality based on the Malcolm Baldridge Award is proposed to enable institutions to use an evaluation procedure that rewards a commitment to continuous improvement. (Contains five references.) (EAM)

Following an introduction by Betty J. Turock, nine reports examine key issues in library evaluation: (1) "Output Measures and the Evaluation Process" (Nancy A. Van House) describes measurement as a concept to be understood in the larger context of planning and evaluation; (2) "Adapting Output Measures to Program Evaluation"…