Analyzes the trend of increased budget cutting in public and academic libraries. Examines the use of fee-based services as a source of revenue, a way of supplementing basic library services, and a way of establishing a marketplace for library services. Discusses causes of budgetary cuts and offers a futuristic model for library services. (JMV)

Identifies and documents the economic costs of faculty status for academic librarians. Costs include travel expenses for conferences, resources for writing papers and sending surveys, and other research. Encourages campus and library managers to employ economic principles as a methodology by which to analyze their institutions. (Author/AEF)

Examines unionization and job satisfaction among professional librarians in academic research institutions. A comparison of survey results of union and nonunion participants revealed the presence of unions has a negative relationship with job satisfaction; salaries and part-time status are also considered as predictors of job satisfaction.…

Reports results of a study that used an online survey, focus groups, and logs of telnet connections to examine Internet use when accessed through the University of Toronto Library (Canada). Discusses needs of Internet users and reveals patterns of Internet use. An appendix contains the online survey. (JMV)

A survey of gay and lesbian library services of 250 public and college libraries revealed small and insufficient collections, a lack of book lists and other guides, frequent challenges, and limited community outreach programs. Interviews with proactive responding librarians provide some strategies for change. (Author/AEF)

Examines the Wallace Library Computer Access System at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Sources of 892 interlibrary loan requests processed between January 1 and March 31, 1992, were studied to determine how patrons used this increased access to electronic resources. Information on the source of requests, patrons, materials, and fill rates…

The digital library encompasses the application of high-performance computers and networks to the production, distribution, management, and use of knowledge in research and education. A joint project by three federal agencies, which is investing in digital library initiatives at six universities, is discussed. A sidebar provides issues to consider…

Presents the results of a survey of university library directors and other academic administrators to determine attitudes toward networked electronic publishing of research articles; concludes that academic administrators do not consider the academic community well equipped for electronic publishing and would not give it high priority in the…

Course analysis and course descriptions have been used in a wide range of academic library assessment and decision-making projects; the analysis techniques of getting and representing the information and the descriptive formats (classification schedules, subject headings, and keyword queries) are compared and principles are established for…

Presents statistics on public and academic library construction for new buildings, as well as for additions and renovations. Information is provided on funding sources, costs, size, book capacity, and seating capacity. A directory of architects, numerous photographs, and a list of buildings in progress are also included. (LRW)

Discusses the use of electronic mail for reference services and investigates systems in health sciences libraries and in academic libraries. The use of electronic mail for services including interlibrary loan, online search requests, literature searches, photocopies or other document delivery, reference questions, and purchase requests is…

Discusses the problem of keeping library staff motivated when promotions are not available. Topics addressed include the importance of management training that emphasizes communication skills; alternative ways to help employees grow, including staff development programs, lateral transfers, job rotation, and short-term projects; and helpful…

Provides background on accreditation in higher education and examines the role of accreditation in development of the academic library. Topics addressed include performance measures for libraries, accreditation in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, accreditation criteria, prerequisites for a successful evaluation, benefits of…

Presents a model for decision making concerning allocation of academic library materials to various levels of access (e.g., branch or central library open access shelving, compact shelving, depository facility, or interlibrary loan). Variables included in the model are the size of the collection, distribution of use, effects of time on use, and…

Academic libraries, pursuing excellence in their products and services, are a natural entity for total quality management (TQM). Basic TQM principles include making decisions based on objective data, respecting people and their ideas, empowering all library staff, focusing on the process, and doing the job correctly the first time, all to benefit…