Discusses the reentry of professional women who interrupt their careers to devote full time to their families. This issue is considered as it affects women across careers and as it relates to librarians. Proposals to meet the needs of reentry workers are offered, including training, work options such as flexible hours, and career development. (13…

Considers the benefits of written trip reports (e.g., accounts of site visits or conferences) to library administration and to the individual writing the report. Difficulties with trip reports are noted; and report writing guidelines that address audience definition, format, organization, headings, style, and deadlines are suggested. (12…

Seven articles address topics related to leadership and library administration: (1) the nature of leadership; (2) the role of mentorship in developing library leaders; (3) the relationship between leadership and personnel development; (4) leadership roles for librarians; (5) library directors as middle managers; (6) raising librarians' salaries;…

Focuses on how library supervisors of staff with dual assignments can promote the positive aspects of this type of position and prevent employees from becoming victims of work overload and job burnout. Employee qualifications and skills, cooperation among all supervisors, and administrative support are emphasized. (EAM)

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…

Reviews federal legislation and litigation addressing the issue of comparable worth, and discusses the role of job surveys, job evaluation plans, and the labor market in court decisions. Summaries of alternatives to the federal system for dealing with the comparable worth issue include efforts by states, local governments, and unions. (18…

Discussion of the role of systems librarians (i.e., librarians responsible for library computer systems) reports the results of a survey of academic libraries that examined the duties and responsibilities performed by systems librarians and the knowledge level and skill level required by new systems librarians. (four references) (LRW)

Identifies the types of individuals engaged in financial activities with whom an acquisitions librarian at a university library may need to interact. Discusses why financial relationships with these individuals are important to acquisitions librarians and how these relationships can be established and enhanced. (JMV)

Discussion of thinking styles in library tasks focuses on a study at Brigham Young University that explored the relationship between thinking styles and library organization. Use of the Squires Thinking Styles Test is described, results that indicate professional librarians tend to be verbally oriented are discussed, and future prospects are…

Examines factors that have necessitated a review of traditional library organization structure and describes a study that examined the new subject-centered organizational structure of the University of Botswana Library. Positive and negative aspects of the new organization are discussed, and a study of subject librarians' time management is…

Explains the organizational and professional concept of a "compleat librarian" that has been developed at the Rider College (New Jersey) Library. Highlights include a nonhierarchical organizational structure; a combination of traditional public and technical services responsibilities; a lack of supervisory duties; collegiality and…

This first of two articles on cultural diversity in the library profession includes comments from presidents of three of the American Library Association (ALA) ethnic caucuses: Spanish-Speaking, Asian and Pacific American, and Chinese American. Topics discussed include mentoring, education, networking, leadership, and activities of the Library…

Discusses influences that electronic technologies are having on academic libraries. Highlights include the combination of computer technology and telecommunications; the impact of integrated systems; adding value to information through the use of workstations and online databases; teaching and learning roles of librarians; library user fees; and…

This article is a condensed version of a presentation from the 1991 Public Library Association (PLA) conference that addressed the need for appropriate responses by libraries to changing ethnic and racial populations. Topics discussed include racism, cultural competence in the library profession, adjusting library services, effective leadership,…