Five Grand Challenges are proposed for library research: (1) Library service: Could library services be made more meaningful? (2) Library theory: Who knew what when? (3) Library design: Have digital libraries been designed backwards? (4) Library values: How neutral can libraries be? (5) Library communities: How do communities differ? (AEF)

Discusses the challenges facing digital library evaluation and suggests a conceptual framework for evaluation derived from the systems approach. A review of evaluation efforts in research and practice concentrates on derivation of criteria used in evaluation. Essential requirements for evaluation are stated. Discussed are constructs, context, and…

Planning for customer-focused library services requires a reexamination of the business and customers. Libraries must continually collect and evaluate data about the community they serve to accommodate ever-changing needs. (AEF)

Collecting full-text CD-ROMs for a humanities library requires an examination of literary research and the way literature is taught. It is within this context that selectors must establish selection criteria and develop plans for promoting use of these new resources. Includes a checklist of literary and technical criteria for selection. (Contains…

Draws some initial connections between library performance measures and library space planning and collection management. Output measure surveys are suggested for establishing hierarchies of use and appropriate design of environments for housing the collection. Four references are listed. (MES)

Selection of electronic resources--CD-ROMs, dial access databases, electronic journals, and World Wide Web products--requires a more extensive set of criteria than do print resources. Discusses two factors influencing collection development of electronic products: technology options and licensing issues, and outlines how traditional selection…

Discussion of the growth of electronic texts in the humanities focuses on issues that libraries should consider regarding collection development policies for electronic texts. Existing texts and applications are described; markup, or encoding schemes, are explained; cataloging is discussed; and software issues are considered. (Contains 27…

Discusses 10 criteria to use when selecting traditional and contemporary literature for use with deaf children. Sharing literature is discussed; definitions of folklore are considered; and appendices list 55 traditional tales and 29 contemporary titles that are appropriate for use with deaf children. (68 references) (LRW)

Describes a preliminary study that was conducted to examine the collection development practices, selection criteria, and sources used in acquiring Native American literature for children and adolescents in public libraries in Alaska and Oklahoma. Results of a literature survey are discussed, and further research is suggested. (Contains 36…

Discussion of electronic resources in the humanities focuses on their incorporation into library collection development practices. Topics addressed include computer-aided research and scholarly communication; differences among humanist scholars in their acceptance of electronic resources; electronic texts and electronic publishing; standards,…