Current trends in public library reference service include use of online systems; budget constraints in public sector; increased service; use, training, and supervision of paraprofessionals; centralized organization of reference service; participation in management of reference services; and more realistic attempts at measurement and evaluation of…

Outline of the development of a university library serving approximately 5,232 faculty, staff, and students covers goals and projections, library facilities and space utilization, personnel requirements, administration changes, collection development, materials budgets, library services, adoption of online systems, and library organization…

Proposes a method for the review of the administrative organization of libraries in which user function categories and specific basic library services are related to organizational structure. A structural inventory and mapping technique for determining the design characteristics of the organization is described. Two tables and two figures are…

Presents results of survey questionnaires sent to 49 university libraries requesting information concerning work schedules for public service librarians and gives suggestions for dealing with extended hours and flexible schedules. (CWM)

This case study examines social influences in research libraries' collection development. It shows that individuals' ideologies and political agenda shape their impression of user needs and their decision making. The study also reveals how the institution's operating structures, campus politics of interdisciplinarity, personnel deployment, and…

Considers causes of friction between librarians and computer support staff, including poor communications, dealing with patron discontent, management problems, difficulties in purchasing hardware and software, and difficulties with systems work. (LRW)

Presents 101 variables for use in developing a microcomputing profile and determining the type of microcomputing management appropriate for a library. Variables are presented in 16 categories, including the larger institutional, library, and financial profiles; administration's stance on microcomputing; user profiles; training and support for…

Describes the management, programs, and services at the Brown County Library (Wisconsin), winner of the Library of the Year award sponsored by Gale Research Inc, and "Library Journal." Highlights include involvement of library staff; financial support; total quality management; coalitions with local businesses, community agencies, and…

Describes the Oregon State University library's experience with Total Quality Management (TQM) from initial training and development of two teams to its use as an impartial problem-solving tool which anyone can use. Staff concerns and fears about TQM are discussed, and benefits are explained. (Contains five references.) (EAM)

Explains the need for meaningful performance measures in libraries and the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to data collection. Five tools representing different stages of a TQM inquiry are covered (i.e., the Shewhart Cycle, flowcharts, cause-and-effect diagrams, Pareto charts, and control charts), and benchmarking is addressed. (Contains…

Describes the problems IBM Corporation in Boca Raton, Florida, has had staffing and managing a corporate library and its cooperative agreement with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to provide professional librarian services. Issues to consider in developing an academic/special libraries agreement are discussed. (EA)

Provides an annotated bibliography of 42 books that rank as the library profession's most outstanding literature published between January 1997 and March 1998. The list is organized by the following categories: academic libraries; archives/preservation; cataloging/technical services; children's services; collection development; general library…

Rutgers University Libraries are using a Microsoft Access database to track the purchase of books requested by teaching faculty for use in the Reserve Collection. Reports are generated which show what is purchased, how money was spent. Combined with circulation figures and LC Subject areas, the database provides documentation of library support of…

Implementing any new service or technology can require a process of trial and error. Often, it is useful to introduce the service as a pilot project, so that the staffing issues and technical details can be worked out prior to fullscale implementation. This is especially important at times when staffing and/or budgetary circumstances are…

As student fees, print vs. electronic access, service quality expectations, and basic economics have an increasing impact on library operations, some academic libraries are taking a second look at the process of charging overdue fines. This article explores the contemporary environment on this issue. It offers as an example a compromise solution…