Reviews GIS (geographic information systems) English-language resources, including principal periodicals and conference proceedings. Details considerations for training library users and staff in the use of GIS. Emphasizes the importance of thorough staffing and training, and suggests directions libraries may take in this area. (Contains 63…

Reviews the literature that deals with the political ramifications of weeding material from academic library collections and the need to involve users and other libraries within the institution in the decision process. (14 references) (CLB)

Discusses the economics and value of information and describes a study that compared an objective measure, the estimated direct costs to a library to purchase materials or provide services used by specific users, with a subjective measure, exchange values those users would pay for the information. (LRW)

To identify areas where seats could be removed to accommodate a growing collection, the University of Wollongong (New South Wales, Australia) library surveyed patron seating usage. The survey supported a 12% reduction in seating, which enabled the installation of additional shelving and a compactus to store 20,000 volumes while having a minimal…

Collection development policies as traditionally conceived are of little practical utility. Research librarians will better serve themselves and their users by devising flexible guides to information associated with particular fields of study. Resource maps using electronic technology could accommodate different kinds of inquiries. (Author/AEF)

A study of the collection of college catalogs at a medium-sized university library found that they are used by many types of clients in addition to undergraduates; users need a current, comprehensive collection and are not bothered by a lack of shelf order; use is enough to justify the collection. (Author/EM)

Explores how libraries will function in the year 2000 as an exercise for planning. Looks at changes in clientele, collections, facilities, and staff, and the impact of technology on these and other aspects of reference work. (six references) (EA)

Discusses outcomes focused assessments of library research instruction using pretests and posttests, attitude and usage surveys, and focus groups at The Citadel library. Suggests that assessment results influence library instruction content, staffing, collection development, and collaboration with other faculty and academic departments.…

Examines activities of academic librarians and library educators regarding issues of affirmative action recruiting to increase diversity within the profession. Highlights include a description of multicultural organizations; the significance of leadership; efforts of the Association of Research Libraries; examples of diversity programs at academic…

Collecting statistical data about database usage by library patrons aids in the management of CD-ROM and database offerings, collection development, and evaluation of training programs. Two approaches to data collection are presented which should be used together: an automated or nonintrusive method which monitors search sessions while the…

Presents the Brown University Library experiences in purchasing electronic services to serve as a model for issues of budgeting for electronic materials in academic libraries. Topics include politics of budgeting; education of users; availability issues; access issues; consortia issues; ownership issues; tracking electronic product prices; and…

This report is structured to educate East Carolina University about library materials preservation. The library-wide preservation program began at Joyner Library in 1993 with the organization of the Preservation and Conservation Department. The planning phase of the preservation program began in 1995 with the appointment of the…

The purpose of this collection of essays is to examine academic libraries in Greece at a time when the potential for changes and advance in librarianship is great. The 15 papers are as follows: "International Interlibrary Cooperation: Exchanging Goals, Values and Culture" (Don L. Tolliver); "Academic Libraries in Greece" (James…

This policy statement begins by presenting the objectives of the Reference Collection Policy for Rutgers University's Alexander Library: (1) to describe the current state of the collection; (2) to articulate the goals of the collection; and (3) to provide users of the library with a clear and concise explanation of what is and is not included in…

Examining the academic library within a contextual framework (of colleges, universities, and U.S. society), this book provides an analysis of the institution's content and function. The work emphasizes the structure, organization, decision making, and operations of academic libraries. The history, organization, and cultures of the academic…