Discusses the creation of library computer information systems and shows the four phases incorporated by successful projects. Highlights include phase I: demonstrating a need for a new system; phase II: the development environment; phase III: guidelines to ensure the system will be useful; and phase IV: implementation and acceptance of the new…

Describes an effort to quantify annual collection expansion and shelf space capacities with a computer spreadsheet program. Methods used to quantify the space taken at the beginning of the project; to estimate annual rate of collection growth; and to plot stack space and usage, volume equivalents and usage, and growth capacity are covered.…

Views academic libraries through the lens of the assessment and accountability movements. Illustrates how a research library at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York) has created an assessment environment in an effort to focus on educational impact. Discusses principles of good practice, and formal and informal evaluation. (AEF)

Examines implications of the Year 2000 Problem for libraries in the next millennium. Discusses planning ahead for on-time subscription service delivery; preventing a domino effect on cataloging service; vendor preparations; examples of librarians' perspectives; checking for compliance; and a bibliography of sources. (AEF)

To coordinate an academic-library marketing effort effectively, a comprehensive plan is essential. A traditional marketing plan consists of four activities: determining what to promote, defining target audiences, choosing type of outreach, and evaluating program. Suggestions for promotional activities, forms of publicity, and examples from the…

To give students a direct voice in library user policy and the library a point of contact with the student body, the Evans Libraries at Texas A&M University formed a Student Advisory Committee. The committee meetings provide a forum for student representatives, library administrators, and student liaisons to discuss concerns and proposed…

Describes the basic concepts of Lotka's law of scientific productivity, Bradford's law of scatter, and Zipf's law of word occurrence. The discussion covers the validity of these laws and useful applications of each law to specific library applications. (13 references) (CLB)

Reviews patterns of library resource sharing and discusses how academic libraries can increase the capacity and effectiveness of future resource sharing and shared collection development programs. A strategic model based on a Research Libraries Group study is presented, with special emphasis on winning the support of faculty. (eight references)…

Describes a program of national collection building designed to provide universal availability of publications in the Federal Republic of Germany in the context of historical traditions, the development of a cooperative acquisition program, financial support, and methodological aspects of the system. (CLB)

Identifies and discusses the eight principal functions necessary for effective collection management in academic research libraries. Six organizational models for collection management are described, and then evaluated according to how well each may facilitate those eight functions of effective management. (Author/CLB)

Reviews the literature on library acquisitions allocations and the lack of agreement on effective policies. Discussion focuses on a process developed at Western Washington University, which combines mathematical formulations of equity with the reality of campus politics, while protecting collection integrity. (44 references) (Author/CLB)