Describes an outsourcing project at the University of Florida library in which their supplier of domestic serial standing orders supplied a large percentage of the standing orders with complete physical processing. Discusses cost effectiveness, low error rate, and the resulting improvement in workflow efficiency that made the project a success.…

Discussion of the role of cataloging education within the library profession focuses on results of a survey of members of the Association of Research Libraries that investigated the importance of cataloging competencies for all entry-level academic librarians. Discusses implications for library education for academic librarians and for the…

Describes a study at Ball State University (Indiana) that compared local pre-cataloging authority control procedures with post-cataloging authority control procedures available through NOTIS (Northwestern Online Total Integrated System). Results show NOTIS authority control reduced redundancy and increased efficiency. Contains three tables and…

Discussion of academic library book acquisition reviews pertinent literature on book reviews, book selection, and evaluation and proposes a model for academic library book acquisition using a two-year relational database file of approval plan records. Defines a core collection for the California State University system, and characterizes…

Investigates interlibrary loan use patterns for scientists at SUNY (State University of New York) Albany by analyzing one year's worth of filled interlibrary loan requests for journal articles. Highlights include differences among scientific disciplines; year of publication; and sources of citations. Contains 11 tables. (Author/LRW)

Describes a project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that evaluated the effects of an unmediated document delivery service. Discusses interlibrary loans, staffing, user satisfaction, choice of document supplier, and user training; and suggests questions to consider when deciding whether to offer this service. (LRW)

Reports on a survey of academic libraries that was conducted to supplement findings of cost studies by providing measures of efficiency and effectiveness for cataloging departments based on reported productivity, number of staff, task distribution, and quality measures including backlogs, authority control, and database maintenance. Identifies…