Ralph Waldo Emerson's criticism that libraries lack the profession of "professor of books" represents the central problem of bibliographic instruction: an inadequately formed theoretical or conceptual framework. A history of the ideas, notions, terms, and phrases about bibliographic instruction illustrates this. (MSE)

This essay considers problems with perceptions of the value of academic and public library information and thus with its marketing and pricing. Public perceptions of information, awareness of information services, value and cost of information, pricing details, and cooperation between libraries and providers of services are discussed. Seven…

This report presents tabulations for the 2004 Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) conducted by the United States Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). An academic library is defined as an entity in a postsecondary institution that provides all of the following: An organized collection of printed or other materials,…

University libraries are becoming increasingly aware of the need to assess the quality of students' information literacy and library research skills and to use this assessment data to effectively improve the quality of university library services to graduate programs. However, libraries have had difficulties finding ways to accomplish this both…

Eleven issues of "Fast Facts" from the Library Research Service cover information from libraries across Colorado. These issues focus on topics from the public, academic, and school sectors. These topics include patron use of AskColorado (a statewide virtual reference service) and the rising use of online services. The "Fast…

This study explores and documents the inclusion of American women literary authors in recommended lists that have been used by academic librarians as a main tool for collection development and evaluation. These lists have been the well-known standards used as guides for building a core collection in support of the college curricula. A sample of 40…

This document is the library intern orientation packet for Pfau Library at California State University, San Bernardino. The packet contains the following: (1) a checklist for training; (2) a list of duties for reference services; (3) a list of "things to know" that includes library and employee rules; (4) frequently asked reference…

This paper discusses the importance and the place of collections preservation management in the larger preservation objectives of a library or an archive. Topics addressed include the issues, restraints, strategies, and difficulties associated with implementing collections preservation. The first section frames some of the management issues…

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has collected descriptive data from its members for the better part of the 20th century. This data shows that as libraries' environments change to reflect increased interest in accountability and institutional outcomes. To account for this, an ARL New Measures Initiative has been established to develop…

This study examined the feasibility of ordering an e-book (electronic book) to replace a lost or brittle book in the Kent State University (Ohio) library. The study checked a representative sample of 234 books lost during July to December 2000 to see the availability of the book in e-form, as well as the cost of the print versus the e-book…

Discussion of the teaching role of the academic librarian focuses primarily on reference librarianship. The interaction between patron and librarian and the necessity for the librarian to teach are noted. Eighteen references are provided. (EJS)

Describes an archive tape processing system which processes tapes received through OCLC-MARC subscription services to construct and maintain a master database of bibliographic records for libraries of each participating institution of the Triangle Research Libraries Network: Duke University; North Carolina State University, Raleigh; and University…

This interview with the president of Research Libraries Group who assumed his duties in January 1983 covers past experiences, perceptions of libraries and librarians, management and technical problems experienced by Research Libraries Information Network, financial situation, prospects for growth, new members, online catalogs, technological…

This overview of academic libraries in Hong Kong highlights Chinese University, Hong Kong University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic. A history of Chinese University and its branch college libraries, library cooperation, and higher education in Hong Kong are noted. (EJS)

Results of a survey of recruitment practices of academic librarians across the U.S. reveal that little standardization of recruitment and selection practices exists, level of participation of professional staff in recruitment procedures varies, and search committees are used but their duties and power are not well-defined. Eleven references are…