Discusses pricing problems of public library service. The meaning of price in a library context is examined, including amount charged and patron's cost; components of price setting are described, including the impact of demand, cost, and competition; and library pricing strategies are suggested that should help achieve the library's goals. (13…

Outlines development of business and library management in western countries, management approaches in China in general, and Chinese library and information services in particular. Suggestions for improvement of Chinese library services address geographic distribution, regional cooperation, national referral services, open access, publicity,…

Examination of several library legislation models developed to meet the needs of developed and developing nations reveals that our traditional notion of the library's role in society must be abandoned if we wish to reconcile its benefits to its costs. Four models currently exist: many nations, particularly Asian, have no legislation; most nations,…

This report contains the major recommendations of the Library of Congress (LC) Management and Planning (MAP) committee. The mission and values statement developed by the MAP Committee for LC precedes the main body of the report. The first of two major sections of the report includes recommendations organized into chapters according to the five…

In this discussion spiced with reminiscences, a former children's librarian sees library services for children as part of the continuum of all library services. However, social and economic changes--such as cutbacks in funds, inflation, concerns over book selection, intellectual freedom, and the patron's right to read--have led to a situation in…

Illustrates how basic principles of marketing and strategic market planning can be applied to libraries and discusses some concepts of strategic planning (organization mission, objectives and goals, growth strategy, program portfolio plan) and marketing (opportunity analysis, target market selection, marketing mix strategy, marketing systems…

Librarians may most effectively promote library legislation needed to further the goals of libraries and library service through legislative lobbying activities. The legal basis for library legislation exists in the undisputed fact that libraries are agencies of learning and therefore merit the same legislative attention as schools. The most basic…

Identifies the role of the trustee in the public library and the responsibilities that accompany it. (Author/LLS)

Discusses the need for effective design considerations in libraries to attract users. Having attractive entrances, using space effectively, creating assignable space, providing comfortable seating, avoiding crowding and barriers, and having a flexible design to accommodate technological change are among the areas discussed. (CHC)

Explores current patterns of recency, structure, intent, scaling, and planning and measurement in state library standards. Ways that four states--Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and Ohio--have adapted basic standards elements are considered, and issues in linking planning and measurement to standards are discussed. (MES)

Observations of the Director of Libraries at Clarion State College, Pennsylvania, are presented on issues confronting academic libraries in the 1980's in two categories: constant or diminishing financial support, and increasing patron demand for services. Library materials and operating budgets, interlibrary cooperation, resource sharing,…

Most countries have school legislation, and many have library legislation; however, in very few is school library legislation found. It is noteworthy that school libraries are the weakest in many library systems. There is a strong case to be made for a legal requirement that library services be established in all recognized schools and vocational…

This essay addresses the ambiguity and confusion arising out of two values that have been embodied in American public library ideology since at least the last quarter of the nineteenth century: concept of the public library as community institution; the public library's emphasis on service to the individual. (27 references) (EJS)

This essay on problems associated with library reference service and personnel discusses the pros and cons of four approaches designed to improve staff utilization and quality of performance--hiring additional staff, automation, alternative staffing arrangements, and planning and rearrangement of priorities. Fourteen sources are given. (EJS)

An aspect of library legislation which is generally ignored is legislation that promotes the utilization of academic libraries to maximize the potential of a nation's resources. From the available literature it would seem that library legislation in developing nations still conforms strictly to the traditional view that library legislation should…