Examines the decline in funding to Nigerian university libraries as a result of harsh economic conditions in Nigeria and the effects on user satisfaction with information services provided by the libraries. Strategies to achieve user satisfaction in spite of declining resources are suggested. (10 references) (CLB)

A survey of 123 users at the National Agricultural Library and Purdue University showed that, for most measures of acceptability, users preferred online or digital videodisc versions of the Pork Industry Handbook to the printed version. User characteristics were examined as factors that might influence responses. (Author/MES)

Examines arguments in favor of membership in the Center for Research Libraries in light of changing collections and services, the cooperative collection development environment, and the needs of research libraries. The discussion covers classic arguments for participation and methods for assessing the value of four membership benefits. (76 notes…

Describes difficulties experienced by librarians in trying to communicate with students for whom English is not the native language. The discussion covers strategies to improve communication, including the use of analogy, universal humor, hands on experience, and integrated programs involving English as a second language and library personnel. (10…

Describes the development of a cooperative initiative between the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Papua New Guinea and the Information Management department at Deakin University. Highlights include curriculum change; new bachelor degree programs; and program delivery, including conventional instruction and…

Presents an overview of information infrastructure development in Latvia and discusses the role of the Latvian Academic Library. Describes Latvia's telecommunications, information network, data transmission, and electronic information services and reviews the types of electronic information sources that have been created. (Author/JMV)

Describes a project that demonstrates subject searching in an experimental online catalog based on academic library databases that were enhanced with search trees; compares the retrieval effectiveness of search trees with random subject searching approaches; evaluates system and retrieval effectiveness; and discusses proposed research. (Contains…

Evaluates the effect of budget cuts on undergraduate library services to secondary users. Topics discussed include the reasons for the public's increased use of academic libraries; how academic libraries are responding to such demands; and strategies for implementing new service and access policies. A brief bibliography and a sample library policy…

The lead article in this section argues that the profession's current focus on technology has compromised academic librarianship's scholarly values, eroded the quality of rhetoric between librarians and patrons, and contributed to the ascendancy of information over knowledge. Renewal of the teaching function and reaffirmation of traditional values…

Discusses the importance of managing diversity in student academic library employment. Provides suggestions for orientation, policy review and enforcement, supervisory and management training, task training, interviewing techniques, correct placement, job descriptions, performance reviews, and scheduling. Notes importance of communication,…

Discusses 29 sources of information on student employment in academic libraries. Categories include management, orientation and training, surveys and job descriptions, student assistants in small libraries, students supervising students, student problems and perspectives, benefits, and new roles and challenges in student employment. (AEF)

A 1991 survey asked how the position of systems librarian has changed. Data from three categories of academic and research libraries was analyzed by size of library, and changes involving increasing implementation of electronic media were identified. It was found that the role of systems librarian is difficult to define while technology changes…

Describes a program of Library Research Clinics developed at Northern Illinois University to teach bibliographic instruction (BI) to one or two students at a time as an alternative to teaching BI in large first-year English classes. Implementation of the clinics with educationally disadvantaged students and with honor students is reviewed.…

Librarians from three regional campuses of Kent State University examine cooperative learning as an alternative to a lecture format for bibliographic instruction. The results of a research project comparing the effectiveness of cooperative learning and traditional methods are presented. Discussion includes problems in the evaluation process; steps…

In partial replication of a 1989 Ohio study, job satisfaction questionnaires were distributed in 1994 to support staff in 13 Michigan state academic libraries. Results indicated that, although staff are satisfied with supervision, coworkers, and benefits, there is dissatisfaction with opportunities for promotion, pay, and contingent rewards. These…