With minimal staff and a small expenditure on software, Lane Memorial Library in Hampton, New Hampshire, created a publicly accessible index to its local newspapers on its Web site. Reference staff members perform the indexing during slow times at the desk using Filemaker Pro software and the indexing guidelines and thesaurus developed in-house.…

Considers methodological issues which arose in undertaking a two-year British Library-funded research project--Assessment Tools for Quality Management in Public Libraries--and discusses the principal findings. The authors suggest that by using an active research methodology they were best able to produce a self-assessment tool-kit which matched…

Describes the University of Michigan Digital Library Program, a collaborative enterprise that has built digital content and an information infrastructure for the campus community. Discusses initial planning; program goals and strategy; the information gateway; project-based program strategy; principles of digital library development; partnerships…

The organizational model of merged public health information resources at the University of Michigan stands as a viable example of collaborative operations under a unified management structure. It represents an attempt to reconceptualize the role of library services and computer services within an integrated model of cooperation that can offer…

Restructuring serials management along access-versus-ownership lines doesn't solve the serials crisis, but it alleviates inflationary pressures and has other significant economic, service, and political outcomes. This new series model is illustrated at three institutional libraries. ((Author/AEF)

Discusses results of a British Library funded project investigating the training needs and opportunities of flexible workers in United Kingdom library and information services. Explains that managers need to attend to training of part-time and temporary workers, both to maintain quality service and to ensure compliance with discrimination…

Provides an overview of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's leadership role in the upper Midwest's distance-education program in library and information science. Highlights the pro and cons of logistics, class and student-to-student communications, and access to library services. Provides street and Web site addresses for more information.…

Addresses changes in cataloging at the University of California, Berkeley. Discusses experimentation with pilot technical services (OCLC PromtCat, Bibliographic Record Notification, and Repeat Search); technical services staff reductions and the emergence of a new staffing model and motivating supervisors and staff to become more flexible and…

Focuses on academic and research library networking in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC), where a high level of library service has been achieved. Discusses the information challenges of the 1980s and 1990s to LAC countries; networking in LAC; Brazilian information services; the University of Sao Paulo integrated library system…

Discussion of reference librarians in higher education focuses on experiences at the University of Southern California. Topics include reference costs and time demands; reorganization and cutting costs; merging computer departments with libraries; Internet advantages, including the Internet Public Library; attitudes and creativity of librarians;…

Describes an applied research project which builds on a perceived need for community information and through exploiting the professional know-how of library science, takes the initiative in inventing and designing an information product and service to meet that need. Discusses cooperative planning and describes seven main components of the work.…

Examines how rural librarians view librarianship and libraries, and the future of both. A total of 441 surveys were sent out; 232 were analyzed. Findings indicate rural librarians are overwhelmingly positive about the profession and its future. The major obstacle facing rural libraries is a lack of education to cope with changes the information…

The role of the public library has changed with the advent of the Internet and digital technology. In addition to its traditional role as a storehouse of information, the role of the public library now encompasses a range of duties such as a resource learning center, a community center, and a business liaison. The opportunities for service have…

Describes the new facilities at the New York Public Library, the British Library, and the National Library of France, including reference service, delivery time for books, and general ambience. Also reports on a conference that addressed issues related to scholarly communication and digital technology in the academic community. (LRW)

Presents the results of a study of Web sites for 133 academic libraries serving medium-sized universities. Suggests that navigational and design aspects need improvement; information should not be included unless it will be accessed and used; and greater use should be made of online tutorials and virtual tours to supplement regular bibliographic…