Although the academic research library is service oriented and exists in a diverse, dynamic environment, the jobs within the system tend to be highly structured and mechanistic, more suitable for a production oriented organization. This paper discusses the concept of job dimensions in general and in relation to the academic research library,…

Written from perspective of the president of a graduate research-oriented university, the author explores nature of the academic library, its size and structure, retrenchment as it affects acquisitions and services, and issue of who makes decisions concerning the library. Space and budgetary problems at the University of Oregon are discussed.…

This study of the online catalog at a large academic library focuses on the nature of problems for which users seek librarians' assistance. Characteristics of users, types of searches, kinds of problems, the effect of prior experience with the system, and user suggestions for improving the system are examined. (10 references) (Author/MES)

Examines basis for and prospects of cooperative arrangements between research libraries and publishers and/or information processors to acquire the rights to contents of documents that research libraries seek to preserve, store contents of documents in digital form, and reproduce this information on demand and in various formats. Twelve references…

Describes the history and development of the algorithm that was used to produce a union list of monographs for ALEPH (Automated Library Expandable Program Hebrew University), Israel's research library network. The literature on merging online records is reviewed, case studies are examined, and problems with matching and merging online…

This essay addresses the serious problem for bibliographic instruction programs posed by teaching faculty who possess few skills in library research. Discussion covers faculty and student experience with bibliographic research, the bookish professor and other myths, difficulties of library instruction, and implications for future planning.…

Discusses the challenges and opportunities facing social science academic reference librarians working with researchers in a rapidly changing technological environment. Highlights include faculty relations and training needs; assistance to graduate students, such as suggestions for bibliographic instruction; information products and user…

Discusses changes in scholarly and cultural records resulting from the transition from print to electronic information. The role of libraries is considered, including licensing agreements, interlibrary loans, broadcast media, networks, preservation of records, and dangers of centralization; and problems with reliance on electronic information…