Taking an international approach to reflect the growing number of one-person libraries (OPLs) worldwide, this handbook and directory for OPLs covers organizational culture, customer service, time management and planning, budgeting, accounting, technology, collection development, education, downsizing, outsourcing, and many other key management…

Library book vendors are facing new realities in the 21st century. Changes in continuations, firm order placement, value-added services, approval plans, retrospective collection development, and database creation and maintenance are being effected in an effort to keep current customers and attract new ones. Those changes and the subsequent shift…

Small public libraries can deliver service like big libraries, without sacrificing hometown warmth and charm. By borrowing strategies used by successful small businesses in the private sector, defining goals and exploiting low cost technologies, small public libraries can serve customer wants as well as much larger institutions. Responding to just…

Presents results of a study undertaken for the state library of Maryland to develop a process for the development of a Maryland Digital Public Library. Highlights include planning; management; implementation requirements; networked environments; technical infrastructure issues; collection development; standards; information content; information…

Reviews the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the library guides project, a customer service project at the New Canaan Library (Connecticut). Volunteers answered basic, single-component reference questions, allowing library professionals to give greater time and effort to more complex questions. (JMV)

This report presents the Library of Michigan's (LM) long term plan for the period of March, 1997 to September, 1999. The external and internal initiatives of the Board of Trustees are first highlighted. Then, following the Library of Michigan vision statement, four topics are discussed. These each include an outline of the objective and the…

The objectives of the Alabama Public Library Service are to: provide library services to the citizens directly or through local libraries; provide library services for those with special needs through the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; provide library services to employees of the State of Alabama to meet their…

The paper outlines a number of processes that have been implemented by Learning Services at Deakin University (Geelong, Australia) to gain significant and sustained cultural change among staff in a blended organization, comprising the university library service, the curriculum design and development functions and those of academic staff…

Memorial Hall Library in Andover, Massachusetts wanted to offer live reference service online but with limited resources, they couldn't do it alone. The 24/7 Reference cooperative program administered by the California State Library required Memorial Hall's librarians to monitor only 10 hours a week in return for live reference coverage. Memorial…

Integrating science and technology libraries into a single unit involves identifying what is unique about each, addressing user and staff concerns, establishing new communications patterns, encouraging staff participation in the change process, and redirecting identity and loyalties to the larger entity. Progress-to-date is described in…

Presents an analysis of 33 studies on rural information needs of a cluster of three Malaysian villages with no library service. Study found information needs relate to: religious information, family bonding, current affairs, health information, and education. The purposes for seeking information include: fulfillment of need to know, problem…

The following information is provided in this annual report: names and positions of 1996 Board of Trustees members, Library of Michigan Foundation 1996 Board of Directors, legislative council, alternate members, and Library of Michigan staff; the library mission; a list of 10 major administrative tasks conducted in 1996; service and technological…

In this plan, the Florida Division of Library and Information Services (DLIS, also known as the State Library of Florida) defines future directions that will bring Florida's libraries into the 21st century. The introductory section, preceding the Plan, includes: methodology used to gather input for the plan; partners that assist the Division in…

Long regarded as the premier monographic series in its area of coverage, "Advances in Library Administration and Organization" offers research perspectives that are both timely and lively. This 18th volume continues the series' long practice of bringing to its professional and academic readership an eclectic mix of scholarship and longish essays.…

This Strategic Plan for library development in Colorado includes a specific set of strategic directions for the next four years with suggested key activities to implement them, as well as a set of timeless principles upon which library development and service are based. The Long Range Planning Strategic Directions, 2001-2004, are outlined with key…