Provides practical tips on three key traits of successful library managers: ability to motivate, utilization of authority to reward or discipline, and ability to delegate. Encouraging library support staff interested in becoming professional librarians is stressed. (EAM)

Provides ideas to help libraries build a successful volunteer program in light of changing lifestyles. Suggestions include recruiting from new and diverse sources such as seniors, people doing community service, minorities, and persons with disabilities and using formal employer groups. The importance of flexibility and professionalism in managing…

A profile of Marty Martelle, director of the Sacramento City-County Library System. (PF)

The Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) of ARL, which acts as a clearinghouse for current operating practices in libraries, is now open to everyone. Its flyers and kits reporting results of surveys show how libraries solve budget and other management problems. (JPF)

A Canadian librarian relates her experience of being expelled from the United States, where she had an eight-month library job, after her four-month B-1 visa expired. Immigration laws and regulations affecting employment of Canadian librarians by U.S. libraries are explained and potential problems for both librarians and employers are described.…

This essay aimed at large and medium-sized public libraries discusses library administration as a low-level function meant to support, rather than rule, the nonadministrative staff; management and administration as separate functions; the delegation of responsibility; and tasks of the administrator. (EJS)

Presents a functional organizational model for research libraries consisting of six major divisions and subunits: acquisition (buying, borrowing, leasing); organization (records creation, records maintenance); collections (collections management, selection, preservation, special collections and archives); interpretation (reference, instructional…

Discusses the role of library trustees or board members in public library administrative decisions, examines managerial styles among public library directors, and describes situations that invite the board to micromanage. Sidebar "Success in 10 Steps" suggests ten steps to maintain a balance of power between staff and trustees. (LRW)

Describes the use of docents at the Denver Public Library and explains how to develop a successful volunteer docent program. Discusses their educational background; duties, including training patrons in computer use; cooperation of and acceptance by the professional staff; administrative support; and improved customer service. (LRW)

Offers strategies for increasing library budgets, based on the pragmatic realities of funding decisions. Strategies discussed include: associating library needs with a more influential constituency; allowing service to deteriorate to intolerable levels; using influential patrons as spokesmen for the library; and appealing to funders' priorities…

Examines laws regarding the retention and destruction of library records. Issues librarians need to address are suggested, including a definition of public records, who determines what records can be destroyed, and penalties for violations; and a sidebar discusses the need for retention of historical records from public libraries. (LRW)

This discussion of methods for selecting an integrated, public-access library system highlights the traditional idealized selection model; participation by the library director, consultant, task force, committees, and vendors; fads and cost figures; selection of the wrong system; and suggestions for an informal approach to purchasing. Five sources…

Discusses the need for library directors to have micromanagement skills and presents five scenarios of problems that need micromanagement. Topics include knowing when to intervene, the need for strong personnel policies, relationships with councils and trustees, and the need for continuing education in management skills. (LRW)

Addresses the problem of crime committed in a library by its employees. Provides examples of crimes in state and public libraries. Discusses embezzlement in a state library, theft of library funds, falsification of records and violation of library loan policies, and reasons for crimes. Notes that such crimes can be safeguarded against by enforcing…

Commemorates this journal's 80th anniversary by providing historical background and comparing issues of early library science with those of today--censorship; library education and administration; technical services; librarian image; copyrights; and outreach programs. Reactions to the founding of the Bulletin of the American Library Association in…