This study reports on a national survey of circulation policies in academic libraries in the United States. Circulation policies are similar at most responding libraries and are typically restrictive, though some differences exist based on library type. Associates granting institutions tend to have less generous circulation periods, and PhD…

Many factors and pressures affect decisions made in UK university libraries on opening hours especially 24/7. This article reports on a project to examine the decision-making process, influential factors, and stakeholders. A workshop for senior library managers in the East Midlands was held to gather data and share experiences. From analysis of…

This article presents a digest of LISTSERVS of interest to access services for the period of April to June 2011. It presents questions and answers from Interlibrary Loan (ILL) people, CIRCPLUS, and OFFCAMP.

Tufts University Hirsh Health Sciences Library created a Facebook page and a corresponding managing committee in March 2010. Facebook Page Insights data collected from the library's Facebook page were statistically analyzed to investigate patterns of user engagement. The committee hoped to improve posting practices and increase user engagement…

This research investigated the importance of user-library trust in ensuring vital freedom of inquiry in academic libraries, exploring its strength through comparison with attitudes towards the National Identity Card Scheme (NICS) within the various libraries of a large UK university. An online survey of students and interviews with librarians…

Increasing demand for biotechnology and biomedical resources prompted the Engineering Library at the University of Colorado at Boulder (UCB) to complete a collection assessment of the journals, books, and other resources provided by the University Libraries. This paper presents a variety of methods for evaluating library collections and describes…

Circulation data from the Virginia Tech Libraries were analyzed to determine the extent of continuity or change between the author's study of the use of subject collections in 1982 and the present. Book circulation has declined, largely due to much less use by undergraduates. The overall profile of subject use has changed in ways traceable to…

Research libraries were among the first to embrace and exploit the potential of the World Wide Web after its debut in the 1990s. They quickly began constructing virtual information landscapes, including policies, services, and collections that not only shaped but also defined the realms of possibility within such terrain. In their roles as both…

Discusses the trials and errors of creating Web sites for libraries. Topics include knowing what the Internet offers, supporting academic computing personnel, observing patron use of the Web, knowing the target audience, developing a selection policy, making and checking links, and analyzing usage data. (LRW)

Discusses the use of academic library circulation statistics to assess whether user needs are being met and describes a study at Stetson University that investigated collection development practices by comparing circulation statistics for books selected by faculty in support of departmental curricula with those of librarian selections. (Author/LRW)

Discusses how the reference staff at Texas A&M University defined basic tools, skills and procedures that new librarians and support staff should know. A list of Subject Baseline Competencies (which is appended) was developed for the reference department, including desk procedures and policies, electronic competencies, and the three major…

Summarizes the debate concerning use of desks versus counters in reference areas of academic libraries. Librarians argued whether patrons were more likely to approach a standing or a sitting librarian. In general, patrons preferred approaching a standing librarian; however, only small studies were conducted. In practice, libraries are designed in…

The State of Mississippi authorized the construction of additions to three of the state's academic libraries. At the University of Southern Mississippi, planning for an addition raised the question of assignable study space. Lockable individual study rooms (carrels) and group study rooms were planned, and questions of how to assign them and rules…

In the face of decreasing enrollment and increasing information technology, future expansion of off-campus education programs is possible. A survey of 106 members of the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools examined the library services considered essential to quality distance education and questioned the issue of accreditation…

This discussion of information policy focuses on library services for distance education. Topics include the logistics and management of providing library services off-site and/or responding to student requests; and meeting the needs of distance education students for information and library instruction, both students from the member institution…