The 49 papers presented in this volume are evidence of the research, scholarship, and professional nature of the offerings of the third National Conference of African American Librarians, sponsored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. The papers are arranged into nine tracks and Pre-Conference topics: I: Library Connections: An…

Considers four principal topics from the perspective of faculty/librarian relations: (1) the library's enhanced capacity to identify and acquire information; (2) the librarian's role in the teaching/learning process; (3) library staffing as it affects services and collections; and (4) a well-planned library building that includes librarian/faculty…

This case study examines social influences in research libraries' collection development. It shows that individuals' ideologies and political agenda shape their impression of user needs and their decision making. The study also reveals how the institution's operating structures, campus politics of interdisciplinarity, personnel deployment, and…

Discusses the choices academic libraries are making between digital collections and maintaining print collections and describes results of interviews with faculty at the University of Michigan that investigated their use of print and electronic journals. Topics include convenience; access; books versus journals; differences between subject areas;…

Summarizes issues discussed at an institute held at Cornell University on the impact of electronic publishing on library collection development. Topics discussed include libraries of the future; the National Research and Education Network (NREN); a definition of an electronic library; scholarly communication; implications of national networks; and…

Describes how analysis of the circulation of federal government publications over a 40-month period at Western Illinois University revealed patterns of usage that allowed the library to make more informed collection management decisions. The most frequently circulated classes of government documents are listed as a guide for other depository…

Presents a collection development model appropriate for libraries whose primary purpose is to support undergraduate education, in which collection development initiatives are taken by the library with the advice of teaching faculty. The organizational prerequisites for client centered collection development are discussed and a step by step…

Examines problems of librarians responsible for both collection development and reference services, including time demands, unclear supervisory lines, and misunderstanding of collection development. The discussion includes suggestions for improving this situation, e.g., formal reporting lines for both areas, increased communication among…

Explores the question of the cost effectiveness of ownership versus access to low-use serials using data collected during a use study at the State University of New York at Albany and from a national cost study. Discussion includes interlibrary loan, document delivery services, and the impact of cancellations on user's needs. (LRW)

Examines activities of academic librarians and library educators regarding issues of affirmative action recruiting to increase diversity within the profession. Highlights include a description of multicultural organizations; the significance of leadership; efforts of the Association of Research Libraries; examples of diversity programs at academic…

Discusses serials cancellations; reviews library collection assessment policies and reasons for assessment studies; describes a survey of academic health sciences libraries that examined serials cancellation projects, including the decision-making process, regional or national cooperation, and the methodology used; and explains a generic serials…

Reports on acquisitions of selected Western European political science materials deemed important for inclusion in at least one North American research library. The percentages of French, Italian, Swedish, Catalan, Icelandic, and Belgian materials not found in RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network) and OCLC are provided. Factors supporting…

Financial pressures brought on by economic recession and increasing costs of academic materials are causing academic libraries to cancel journal subscriptions, reduce book orders, neglect book preservation, cut staff positions, and reduce general services while seeking new revenue sources. Examples of libraries cutting back include those at…

A study of position announcements for collection development and management librarians found in "College and Research Library News" is reported. Data are presented on mean salaries, required skills and experiences, desired skills and experiences, and responsibilities. Areas for further research are suggested. (15 references) (EA)

Describes a longitudinal study of serial cancellations that was conducted by analyzing the cancellation lists between 1987 and 1990 from five midwestern member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries. Highlights include serial cancellation prices, language and place of publication, Library of Congress subject analysis, and collection…