University of Akron administrators recognized that the library was the primary information resource on campus and the Web was another form of information. Previously, responsibility for Web development and policy passed between various committees and subcommittees. This article describes the implementation of a university Webmaster within the…

Committed to utilizing information technology, the Westchester Library System (New York) made the World Wide Web publicly accessible. Describes the planning, implementation, and management process; obstacles involving financing; establishing Internet connectivity; and vendor negotiations. Westchester hired a Web manager, created Internet use…

Discusses issues of management and change in library acquisitions in light of management and business literature and includes examples from academic libraries. Topics include essential elements of change, including the external environment, organizational capability, how individuals react to change; and leadership, including self-assessment and…

This case study examines social influences in research libraries' collection development. It shows that individuals' ideologies and political agenda shape their impression of user needs and their decision making. The study also reveals how the institution's operating structures, campus politics of interdisciplinarity, personnel deployment, and…

Suggests that libraries use a military model of organization, in favor of a big-business approach, to address job dissatisfaction among paraprofessional staff. Military concepts that transfer to the library milieu include clear responsibility delineations, demonstrable recognition of the value of individual workers, continuing education programs,…

Discusses three major components of library security: physical security of the environment; operating procedures for library staff, the public, and security personnel; and a contract security force (or campus security in academic institutions.) Topics include risk management; maintenance; appropriate technology, including security systems and…

Discusses violence in the workplace and suggests a three-tier approach to dealing with violence in libraries that focuses on personnel issues: (1) preventive measures, including applicant screening, supervisory training, and employee assistance programs; (2) threat management, including policy formation and legal action; and (3) crisis/post-trauma…

Explores the evolving paradigm of academic libraries, the impact of this change on the library director's role, and the orientation and qualifications. Reveals that the "post-hierarchical" library will call for a leader who is flexible and innovative, a superb communicator with good analytical skills and deductive and reasoning ability, as well as…

Considers causes of friction between librarians and computer support staff, including poor communications, dealing with patron discontent, management problems, difficulties in purchasing hardware and software, and difficulties with systems work. (LRW)

Discussion of burnout among library personnel includes a susceptibility profile, indicators of burnout, and administrative contributors. Techniques by which administrators can reduce stress are suggested, including participative management; improved communications; staff development; informal staff gatherings; staff meetings; flexible work…

Discusses the social context of job sharing, reported benefits and disadvantages, and general issues that affect the successful implementation of job sharing programs. Issues specifically affecting job sharing in academic libraries are outlined, and methods for dealing with these issues are suggested. (15 references) (CLB)

Describes the development of a microcomputer based management information system (MIS) for the DeKalb County Public Library. Data collection activities that determined system requirements and the evolution of a database design from those requirements are discussed, as well as plans to develop a generic public library MIS based on this model.…

Reports the results of a study of two library systems' differing approaches to staff involvement in library planning. The systems' attempts to prepare staff members, keep them informed, and encourage staff participation are described, and the resulting benefits are contrasted. Suggestions for successful staff involvement are offered. (34…

Examines problems of librarians responsible for both collection development and reference services, including time demands, unclear supervisory lines, and misunderstanding of collection development. The discussion includes suggestions for improving this situation, e.g., formal reporting lines for both areas, increased communication among…

Discusses the use of barcoding as a method for measuring the frequency-of-use patterns of the bound journal collection at Northern Illinois University. Highlights include a team approach to planning; collection development; collection maintenance; hardware and software; and technological, economic, organizational, and political implications. (27…