When the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), an academic consortium of 12 major teaching and research universities began implementing the Virtual Electronic Library, a Continuum of Security Needs list was created which outlines the security and authentication issues that must be addressed. The thirteen security items on the list are…

Saint Mary's University Academic Library (Texas) established remote access to its computer network. Discusses access issues including network protocols and support; multitasking; CD-ROMs; printing capabilities; connection methods; and keyboards. Describes choices of operating systems and software: J&L Chatterbox, bulletin board systems, and…

Examines sections of the Copyright Act of 1976 in relation to the electronic distribution of reserve readings and fair use in academic libraries. It concludes that copyright dramatically limits the conditions under which fair use may be applied in a simultaneous-user system displaying readings off-site. (Author/LRW)

Members of an Association of College and Research Libraries committee conducted a telephone survey of 42 academic libraries to investigate the perceived importance of bibliographic instruction skills to employers. Found that skill and experience were considered very important to the position; very important in the library; and very important in…

Updates earlier studies on the characteristics of authorship of articles published in "College & Research Libraries", focusing on gender, institutional affiliation, and extent of collaboration. Results show representation by academic librarians and authors affiliated with library schools increased, collaboration predominated, and…

This study surveys the literature in library science, law enforcement, the social sciences, education, and general-interest publications regarding library security in higher education. General and specific crimes are discussed, and suggestions are provided on how academic libraries can improve personal safety. (65 references) (Author/LRW)

Discusses the results of the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program (WOREP) that was used by the reference department at the Brandeis University (Massachusetts) library. Results are compared with an onsite evaluation to determine factors that influence the provision of high-quality reference service. (LRW)

Offers a model for academic libraries that bases decisions on CD-ROM cataloging, circulating, and housing on three factors: type of data on a CD-ROM, who will use the data, and how they will use it. Four types of CD-ROMs are discussed: music, reference, data, and CD-ROMs that accompany other materials. (DGM)

Proposes that academic librarians use constructivist learning theory, primarily composition theory, to develop a pedagogy for the reference desk. Implies that reference is a form of teaching, and that to maximize their educational effectiveness, academic librarians need to approach reference transactions as academic conferences where teaching and…

Analyzes the pedagogical rationale and learning outcomes for incorporating a special collections department in teaching humanities undergraduate and graduate courses. Presents a case study that highlights an innovative collaboration between a University of Colorado German professor and the special collections librarian and staff. (Author/LRW)

Provides an overview of characteristics among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) physics Web pages. Examines current academic Web literature and from that develops six benchmarks to measure physics Web pages: ease of navigation; logic of presentation; representation of all forms of information; engagement of the discipline; interactivity of…

Describes a study of graduate students that examined the relationship between library anxiety and social interdependence. Discusses use of the Library Anxiety Scale and Social Interdependence Scale; and considers the effects of barriers with staff, comfort with the library, knowledge of the library, individual attitudes, affective barriers, and…

Summarizes national survey findings of email reference services in academic and public libraries; describes types of email reference services for selected Colorado libraries; and focuses on a detailed overview and analysis of two years of Colorado State University's email reference experiences. (Author/LRW)

Discusses assessment of student academic achievement, how librarians can participate, the role of the Higher Learning Commission's assessment matrix and accredited institutions, examples of strategies institutions have used to deal with challenges to implementing useful assessment programs, and examples of indirect and direct measures of student…

Analyzes survey results of university students who used the instant messaging (IM) reference service at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's library. Focuses on the results of two surveys, including a comparison of IM reference and traditional reference desk experiences; provides an overview of the IM reference system and usage data; and…