This study examined libraries' commitment to the Federal Depository Library Program and how they are coping with changing information formats (mostly electronic) and public service demands, from the perspective of senior administrators responsible for allocating resources and setting service priorities. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the need for libraries to market the value of their services. Highlights include customer satisfaction surveys; competition with other information providers; borrowing ideas from the private sector; focusing on marketing electronic resources; targeting younger users; the importance of personal service; and having a budget for…

Discussion of financial allocations by universities for library materials focuses on a study of fine arts faculty at Texas Tech University that identifies information services, sources, and materials that they consider important for their teaching, research, and creative endeavors; and investigates their use of library services. (Author/LRW)

An analysis of user requests for interlibrary loan materials revealed that about 5% of the total requests placed at the University of Oklahoma required lending fees. Costs and users' willingness to pay those costs are reviewed. Libraries seeking cost recovery would provide more efficient and democratic service if flat charges on all requests were…

Suggests that current trends in public library expenditures and buildings are not meeting user needs and criticizes the American Library Association's policy statement, "The Decade of the Librarian," for focusing on librarians rather than service. The future of libraries and the library profession, particularly the impact of electronic…

Includes three articles that debate whether interlibrary loan (ILL) is the best way to get public library patrons what they need. Highlights include return on investment; funding; alternatives to ILL, including purchase on demand and online full-text databases; cost effectiveness; and the advantages of patron-initiated ILL through interconnected…

Reviews experiences with online searching at the Nazareth College library. Topics discussed include user expectations; actual and perceived search quality; the impact of laser printers; growth in online searching; increases in other reference services; the use of CD-ROM technology; and costs and pricing policies. (LRW)

An econometric model of library reference service is suggested for revision and improvement of current services. Discussion focuses on costs and budgets, expanding needs, and community support. (AEF)

The practicum described in this report was designed to create a dynamic, functional media center with an interdisciplinary library skills program for students in kindergarten to grade 8 in a private Jewish day school in a residential neighborhood in a southeast coastal city enrolling 300 students. An additional goal was to use volunteers to…

Designed by Austin Community College's (ACC's) Learning Resource Services (LRS) Management Team, this plan explores the development of the LRS in preparation for the 1989 closure of the college's Ridgeview (RDV) campus, and the opening of the Northridge (NRG) and Riverside (RVS) campuses. First, the plan's executive summary lays out…

The Ward Edwards Library of Central Missouri State University attempts to collect the materials necessary to support classroom needs and faculty research. This assessment gauges how well the library print collection supports the Department of Communication, in which undergraduate majors and postgraduate degrees are offered in a total of 85…

Discusses library collection evaluation and its relationship to the acquisitions budget. Topics addressed include the publishing industry; library services that are more user centered; acquisition of versus access to sources of information and knowledge; the concept of value; library accountability; objectives and setting priorities; and levels of…

Prepared as an outline of the long-range Michigan Library development program as required by the Library Services Construction Act (LSCA), this report presents goals, objectives, and procedures for strengthening and improving library services to Michigan Library's users over a 3-year period. The Library of Michigan's Long-Range Plan makes up the…

Examines what Australian university libraries can and cannot do for independent scholars, scholars with no formal university affiliation. Argues that university libraries are not able to accept acquisition proposals from independent scholars because of shrinking acquisitions budgets and cites acquisition cooperation, especially of electronic…

Discusses issues facing libraries using digital information resources, based on experiences at the Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg library. Topics include comparing electronic resources; goals of providing the service or resource; determining users' needs; resources for access, including networks and financing; software; budgeting;…