The decision styles of 370 academic library directors were studied using the Decision Style Inventory. Results indicated that most directors have an idea rather than an action orientation and that most are left-brain dominant. Preferred decision styles among directors at doctoral, comprehensive, baccalaureate, and two-year institutions differed…

Provides a theoretical overview of decision-making models which are applicable to libraries; presents a framework for comparing the rational, political bargaining, and garbage can models; describes a case study that applied the models to a decision regarding an academic library governance system; and discusses strategies for library managers for…

Discussion of the attitudes of academic administrators toward academic libraries focuses on a study of 36 liberal arts colleges that was conducted to determine whether results of an earlier study that indicated negative attitudes were still valid in 1988-89. Recommendations for improving the relationship between college deans and library directors…

Contrasts online searching in industry and academia in terms of trust placed in the searcher, numbers of systems/databases searched, comprehensiveness, decision making and dependency, reference interviews and the timeframe for search requests, nature of searches, use of selective dissemination of information, library/quick reference searching,…

Discusses a pay system for paraprofessional library staff implemented in 1985 at St. John's University (Minnesota). The nature of supervision required, types of responsibilities, and salary ranges for three levels of library paraprofessionals are described. Problems and benefits of the system are noted. (Three references) (MES)

Reviews selected research on content-enriched access (including information components such as tables of contents and indexes) in information retrieval systems. It is concluded that well-selected content components and full-text materials in electronic systems must be linked with improved search methodologies, better interfaces, and greater…

Describes and analyzes Ohio State University's Minority Librarian Intern Program, a two-year post-master's degree internship that was developed to attract underrepresented minority librarians to academic libraries. Publicity and recruitment strategies are discussed, and suggestions to increase minority representation are offered. (Contains 14…

Describes a study of serial holdings and cancellation data for science titles from 10 ARL (Association of Research Libraries) libraries. Findings show a high degree of duplication, and chemistry titles are further analyzed to show that chemistry serial collections had the highest dollar value of serial cancellations. (LRW)

Discusses the need to keep union lists of serials holdings updated and describes efforts by the University of Notre Dame library to update holdings on the Indiana Union List so that fill rates for interlibrary loan requests are improved. Results are reported that indicate an improvement in fill rates. (LRW)

Describes experiences at the Arkansas State University at Jonesboro library when mold was discovered in a large portion of the monograph collection. Discusses causes of mold formation, equipment needed, news media coverage, staff involvement in the cleanup, and possible health hazards from mold. (LRW)

Includes three articles that discuss: (1) the creation of a persistent digital archive email collection, including technical issues; (2) a project at Cornell University that provides library users with personalized electronic library services; and (3) the digitization of a photographic collection in the United Kingdom for preservation purposes.…

Discusses the McDonaldization thesis that suggests that many aspects of the fast food industry are making their way into other areas of society. Explores whether this thesis is applicable to academic libraries, focusing on efficiency, calculability, predictability, control, user expectations, pros and cons of teams, and creativity and information…

Reviews the changes in scholarly publishing from the mid-1980s development of the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Electronic Information Delivery Online System (EIDOS). Highlights selected initiatives in electronic publishing: Project MUSE, JSTOR, Academic Press' IDEAL, and Springer-Verlag's LINK Information service. (PEN)

Describes the practice of accreditation in general and considers the role of accreditation in higher education and its impact on academic libraries. Highlights include a history of accreditation; organization and regulation of the accrediting process; the federal government's role in accreditation; and accountability and academic libraries. (LRW)

Explains two methods for planning and implementing change that are being used by business and public institutions: re-engineering, and process improvement. Both are customer oriented and can be utilized by academic libraries as is shown in a case study of the library at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. (LRW)