The role of the research library and issues in access to increasing quantities of information are discussed, including the problems of cataloging and classifying information and the barriers to access often created by librarians. (MSE)

Describes three areas of concern common to most major research libraries--storage requirements, preservation of library collections, and remote access to library resources--that are adaptable to current developments in computer-based information delivery. Data on University of California's nine-campus library system is cited. Eleven sources are…

Addresses problem of vertical stratification (belief that career path must be pursued in one type of library) in academic research librarianship. Highlights include job opportunities; misconceptions concerning inappropriate specialization and nature of academic research library management; consequences of institutional, individual, and…

A branch of Smithsonian Institution Libraries, the National Air and Space Museum Library provides materials and services to support research programs of National Air and Space Museum. Brief histories of museum and its library and summary of museum programs provide background for overview of current library users, resources, and services.…

Discussion of the Hawaii-based Law Library Microform Consortium (LLMC), a nonprofit interlibrary cooperative microfiche project involving several hundred American and foreign law libraries, outlines LLMC's history, organizational structure, operations, publishing record, marketing efforts, and prospects for the future. (EJS)

Reviews popular culture studies, research, and curricula in higher education, and explores how libraries are responding to needs of popular culture specialists. Profiles of library collections (Bowling Green State University, Michigan State University, San Francisco Academy of Comic Art, University of Minnesota, Library of Congress) are presented.…

This report contains the results of the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) survey of academic Health Sciences libraries for 2001-02. Out of 114 ARL university libraries, 65 responded to the survey. Data are presented on collections, expenditures, and personnel and public services. Includes questionnaire. Health Sciences libraries reported…

This report contains the results of the Association of Research Libraries' survey of academic Health Sciences libraries for 2003-04. Data are presented on collections, expenditures, and personnel and public services. Out of 113 ARL university libraries, 66 responded to this survey. Health Sciences libraries reported median values of 235,225…

This SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) Kit presents the results of a survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries designed to investigate what methods are used to value or appraise research library collections, in order to provide librarians with information useful to them in discussing these issues with their…

This report discusses the ways in which artifacts and their physical frailties affect their research value--originality, faithfulness, fixity, and stability--over time and how libraries can minimize the risk of unacceptable loss of that value. It investigates the specific issues around selected media, such as paper-based printed matter, moving…

ARL is the bimonthly report on research library issues and actions from ARL (Association of Research Libraries), CNI (Coalition of Networked Information), and SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition). ARL reports on current issues of interest to academic and research library administrators, staff, and users; higher education…

This paper examines the processes of interaction and exchange that are involved in the creation and circulation of literary and scholarly works, texts that contribute to the Australian information commons. For this purpose, the paper refers to specific aspects of the scholarly work cycle of the Australian historian, Henry Reynolds, and comments on…

Texas A&M University and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) under the New Measures initiative are engaged in a project to evaluate service quality in research libraries using an augmented SERVQUAL instrument. In spring 2000, 13 ARL libraries in North America invited a random sample of students and faculty to take the survey through…

Information needs are growing more rapidly than the abilities of research libraries and information centers to meet them. Two reasons and their influence on information systems are discussed: a shift in scientific endeavor from basic science to applied, leading to the emergence of programmatic research; and the technology of science itself. (16…

Turn over in the position of university library directors has increased markedly in the past decade. Seventy-eight large university libraries have been investigated to identify problems and make recommendations. Planning, budgeting, and the relationship of the library to the university are discussed. (70 references) (DH)