Drawing on management theory, this article explores the costs, benefits, and sources of organizational conflict in the academic library context. Five responses to conflict (using power, avoiding, accommodating, compromising, and problem solving) are described, and guidelines for using problem solving to manage conflict effectively are offered. (14…

Eight articles address topics related to development and fund raising in libraries: philanthropy; public relations and fund raising; special events and fund raising; finding donors; annual funds in academic libraries; library capital campaigns; a public library endowment campaign; and planned giving. An introduction to the articles and a 244-item…

In this column, the author relates his experiences in the use of library technology over his 20-year career at Vanderbilt University. He describes how computers in libraries have transformed almost every aspect of how the library provides its services and performs its work behind the scenes. In addition, the author shares a few successful…

While preparing to migrate from Innovative Interfaces' text-based serials module to its new Millennium Serials product, the author, a manager of technical services operations in a small academic library, found herself faced with a number of decisions regarding how to store holdings information. Holdings data is information about individual items…

As academic libraries move toward the electronic frontier for their serial subscriptions, there are several issues to be considered. This paper intends to outline the advantages and disadvantages with respect to electronic and paper serials, address selection criteria, and describe our practice in coping with these issues at the Leddy Library of…

This annotated bibliography lists 36 books, reports, and journal articles on total quality management (TQM). Several discuss the implementation of TQM in the library setting. All but one of the sources were published in 1990 or later. Annotations include major themes and arguments, case studies, contents of collected works, and a number of…

The Systems and Procedures Exchange Center's (SPEC) Kits contain up-to-date information on the latest issues of concern to college and academic libraries and librarians today. This subject index to SPEC Kits covers all kits currently available from the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Office of Management Services. Under each subject…

Discusses the hiring of librarians as a financial investment and reviews the hiring process--advertising, interviewing, selling the institution to candidates--in this light. Training programs for new librarians, management training opportunities, and professional development and research support are urged. The need for better salaries for…

Steady-state or no-growth library policy and practices and their effects on the academic library are examined in the context of Canada's retrenchment environment. (MSE)

"ARL" is the bimonthly report on research library issues and actions from ARL (Association of Research Libraries), CNI (Coalition of Networked Information), and SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition). "ARL" reports on current issues of interest to academic and research library administrators, staff and…

Presents a fictionalized version of an employment interview in which a faculty member is questioning a candidate as an element of the search process for position of director in an academic library. Unspoken thoughts and concerns are included. (EJS)

Nine articles cover topics related to library financial resources: (1) escalating serials prices; (2) library budgeting; (3) entrepreneurship; (4) cutback management; (5) academic library budgets; (6) assessment of library effectiveness; (7) public library fund-raising; (8) capital investment; and (9) unit cost analysis at the Virginia Polytechnic…

Discusses a framework for identifying organizational processes or models within the context of the organization's decision-making processes. Five organizational models appropriate to academic libraries are presented: rational, political bargaining, garbage can, bureaucratic, and participatory. Guidelines for managers include how to distinguish…

Discusses how strategic planning can help academic libraries integrate online systems for management of multiple fund accounts. Topics addressed include fiscal management goals and objectives; coordinating systems; the budget calendar; periodicals processing; and supplementary funds such as student fees, awards, legislative appropriations, and…

Discusses the importance of strategic planning in academic libraries. Topics addressed include the culture of the research institution, benefits of strategic planning, empowerment of the library through planning, and a framework for the planning process. Examples of planning from two university libraries that involved staff, faculty,…