Reports on the book-buying trends and predilections of libraries at two-year colleges, four-year colleges, universities, and large research institutions. Four tables and figures show findings for purchasing power of academic libraries; areas academic librarians believe need more titles; most-bought book categories; and sources used to make…

Presents a management model of ethical decision making in librarianship. Highlights include a definition of ethics; ethical concerns in information professions; the concept of social responsibility; ethical dimensions of decision making, including access to information and hiring decisions; ethical considerations for managers; and strategies for…

An essay on the changing decision-making and organization skills needed by librarians to cope with the new interdisciplinary knowledge, the great increase in types of media and services available, and uncertainty. (JAB)

Discusses the ethical issue of whether librarians should acknowledge unresolved personnel problems with job candidates and considers stages at which decisions should be made about divulging such information to potential new employees. Relevant literature is reviewed, and examples concerning hypothetical cases are offered. (21 references) (LRW)

The University of Calgary Library has developed an automated information system to aid decision making in the area of collections development. The traditional format for collections policies in a written description of the areas and levels where a particular institution is collecting actively. Using a computer-based management information system…

Discusses the problem of incompetent library supervisors in terms of the process that results in the selection of such supervisors, inappropriate supervisory behaviors, and the effects on employees. Several strategies for coping with an incompetent supervisor are suggested. (4 references) (CLB)

Discussion of preservation of and access to information and knowledge focuses on selection decisions that libraries make. Topics addressed include a decrease in funding; collection development; preservation processes, including reformatting into digital data; private collections; unpurchased current publications; new electronic technologies;…

This essay discussing effects of automation on library personnel and library services notes civil service structures; failures in personnel administration; rigidity in library service; access to information by "temporary" language; evaluative, judgmental analysis of the book, data, or journal; dangers of centralized decision-making and…

Discusses the use of library management data, particularly circulation data, in making selection decisions for library collection development based on experiences at Louisiana State University. Development of a collection based on actual use rather than perceived research needs is considered, and the decision-making process for serials…

Explores controversial questions related to libraries' decision-making on paper journals and electronic journals. Notes that the critical mass of scholarly publishing is still in print. Discusses benefits and drawbacks of electronic journals and paper journals. Presents comments on the pros and cons to binding paper periodicals gathered from an…

Focuses on the selection and decision-making aspects of the Edelmen model of collection development. Reviews challenges facing library/information studies education and the place of collection development within that context. Considers implications for the library/information center of the rise of a new class of resources. Suggests that a more…

This volume reviews current options for handling serials problems and clarifies fundamental issues in one of the greatest challenges confronting today's library and information science professionals. Focusing on the management of serials in libraries and the role of serials in scholarly communications, this book combines descriptive and…