Includes reprints of four articles published in "Library Journal" from 1894-1963: (1) "The Distinctive Value of Books" (Lester Asheim); (2) "The Changing Role of the University Library" (Ralph E. Ellsworth); (3) "It Is a Mistake to Recruit Men" (Ralph Munn); and (4) "Is It Best for Libraries to Buy…

Views academic libraries through the lens of the assessment and accountability movements. Illustrates how a research library at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York) has created an assessment environment in an effort to focus on educational impact. Discusses principles of good practice, and formal and informal evaluation. (AEF)

An instrument for measuring service quality was developed in Singapore's polytechnic libraries, based on previous work done in New Zealand. Focus groups of academic librarians reported on their understanding of service quality. Contrasts between the two instruments are examined. The time lapse between the projects accounts for some variation. A…

Discusses possibilities for cataloging Internet resources and the role that the library profession can play. Topics include the Dublin Core metadata; public library projects (Michigan Electronic Library "MEL" and Librarians' Index to the Internet "LII"); academic library projects (INFOMINE, Scout Report); commercial sites…

Discusses the problems of spatial requirements and design as they affect utilization of audio-visual (AV) resources in Nigerian university libraries and presents a new design for an AV media center as an alternative to the current practices. Discusses decision making, consultation and analysis, and storage, access, and display considerations. (AEF)

Examines data collected in two surveys from faculty chemists at the University of Illinois at Chicago who were asked about their use of electronic resources. Highlights include the adoption of technological innovations by faculty, the role of librarians as change agents, and a copy of the survey instrument. (LRW)

Discusses collection development in research libraries and the need for collaboration. Topics include quantity versus quality; a future vision of libraries; the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) as an example of cooperative collection development; users' information needs; and the use of telecommunications. (LRW)

Discusses the Beck Center for Electronic Collections and Services at Emory University (Georgia), including the role of text centers both within and outside of the academic research library. Describes projects with various departments, and innovative partnerships with technologists from the library and the campus computing center, as well as with…

Focuses on appropriate and potentially helpful applications of workplace humor to enhance the work atmosphere in academic libraries. Provides an overview of humor literature and Internet sites. Discusses a conference on incorporating humor into the workplace, humor in academic libraries, personal applications, and applications for management in…

Explores the management of CD-ROM service in Malaysian academic libraries and marketing strategies used to popularize it. Findings revealed that these libraries use a variety of marketing and promotional channels, some of which need improvement; the libraries need to strengthen their end-user education programs to suit users with different levels…

Focuses on the practical aspects of outsourcing cataloging in academic libraries. Factors examined include reasons for outsourcing, materials that are outsourced, and advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing. Concludes that although outsourcing is not a prevailing trend in the academic libraries, it is a viable option if carefully planned and…

Describes PATRON (Performing Arts Teaching Resources ON-line) at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) that was designed to deliver digital audio, video, music scores, and dance notation across a high-speed network to the desktop. The principle aim is to improve access to reserve materials for staff and students. (Author/LRW)

Transaction-log data for total, author, title, and subject searches were collected for three semesters at Southeast Missouri State University to ascertain whether total searches, subject searches, and subject percentage of total searches have any predictive value for marshaling personnel resources for reference-desk service. Findings raise…

Concepts from Strategic Alignment, a technology-management theory, are used to discuss the Information Commons as a new service-delivery model in academic libraries. The Information Commons, as a conceptual, physical, and instructional space, involves an organizational realignment from print to the digital environment. (Author)

Addresses information versus library science and examines what the dispute over graduate education means for librarianship. Describes three arguments for maintaining a balance between library science and information science and the land-grant university ethic. A sidebar contains an interview with Ken Haycock focusing on what to expect from the…