Describes a survey of 72 research libraries that examined bibliographic instruction programs from 1983 to 1988, looking at such factors as instructional methods, student population served, financial support, program evaluation methods, and the impact of technology. It is concluded that bibliographic instruction has changed in status from a luxury…

Describes the problems and successes encountered in the use of an interactive video system for library instruction. Successes include reductions in staff time and favorable student reactions. Problems were related to the use of videotape recordings, the use of floppy disks, overloading at the end of the quarter, and the need for frequent updates.…

Describes an experiment that examined the relationship between successful searching of CD-ROM databases by undergraduate students and various types of instruction provided by the library staff. The findings indicate that the only level of instruction that resulted in a significant difference was a live demonstration of searches. (six references)…

Describes a prototype current awareness service for college faculty and staff which is based on online bibliographic databases and tables of contents from selected periodical holdings for the selective dissemination of information. The discussion reports patterns of use, types of documents selected, delivery patterns, and the overall effectiveness…

Describes a study that examined published job advertisements to investigate employment opportunities for academic librarians with regard to rank, academic expectations, benefits, tenure, and issues related to salary and equal employment. The discussion covers variations in these factors correlated with institutional characteristics and regions.…

Discussion of the integration of computing and library services focuses on the organization of information resources at the Michigan Business School. The Kresge Business Administration Library facilities and resources are described, computing services are explained, user needs and expectations are considered, and funding issues are discussed. (LRW)

Provides a brief survey of libraries and library services in Portugal. Topics discussed include background information on Portugal's political, economic, educational, and library history; a summary of current library services in different types of libraries; and observations on the future development of these services. (five references)…

Discussion of electronic libraries and networks as foundations for the delivery of information services highlights Project Mercury at Carnegie-Mellon University. Topics discussed include ease of use; standards for documentation representation and exchange, information retrieval, communication and networking, and computer display interfaces;…

Discussion of the role of instructional technology in higher education highlights a model for Integrated Instructional Technology Services (IITS). Topics discussed include instructional development; faculty development; learning resources; media development; instructional telecommunications; instructional computing; research and evaluation; and…

Describes the effects of electronic technologies on instruction, scholarly communication, and the storage and preservation of knowledge in higher education. The discussion covers the need to restructure universities, resolve the conflict between institutional autonomy and standardization, and explore new patterns of funding and staffing. (50 notes…

Because the publication of census data on CD-ROM has expanded the capabilities of users, librarians need to consider issues involved in providing census and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services, selecting GIS software, and providing user support. (JMV)

Asserts that subscription price increases for academic journals have been the area of single greatest concern to librarians during the past decade. Finds that systematic variations in library prices across economics journals offer explainable reasons. (CFR)

W. Edwards Deming condemned performance evaluations as a deadly disease afflicting American management. He argued that performance evaluations nourish fear, encourage short-term thinking, stifle teamwork, and are no better than lotteries. This article examines library literature from Deming's perspective. Although that literature accepts…

Discussion of the development of the discourse of diversity highlights a report from the Librarian's Association of the University of California that addressed cultural diversity in academic libraries. Topics discussed include developing culturally diverse collections; access; reference services; bibliographic instruction; and recruitment,…

Examines current experience and trends in the roles, functions, and activities of today's library directors, based on a survey of directors of large libraries or library systems. A shift in roles, functions, and activities from predominantly internal affairs to an increasing emphasis on external concerns, including technological, economic, and…