Describes a model enumerating cost factors for comparing costs for paper, online, and CD-ROM indexes and abstracts. The model is applied to start-up and annual costs, and to the cost of storing and providing access to ERIC, Applied Science and Fisheries Abstracts, and Excerpta Medica, based on anticipated academic library usage. (MBR)

Description of the conversion of San Diego State University Library's Asian collection from catalog cards to online catalog through OCLC discusses technical problems involved in creating databases with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean vernacular characters. Ambiguities created by romanization and decision to convert the collection only in romanized…

A 15-item questionnaire was administered on the online catalog terminals at the University of New England (Australia) to assess student attitudes toward computer technology and the new online catalog, and identify predictors of future online catalog use. Data analyses defined two groups of respondents: "reluctant users" and "naive enthusiasts."…

Circulation time-series data from 50 midwest academic libraries were used to test 110 variants of 8 smoothing forecasting methods. Data and methodologies and illustrations of two recommended methods--the single exponential smoothing method and Brown's one-parameter linear exponential smoothing method--are given. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Focusing on management decisions in academic libraries, this article compares management information systems (MIS) with decision support systems (DSS) and discusses the decision-making process, information needs of library managers, sources of data, reasons for choosing microcomputer, preprogrammed application software, prototyping a system, and…

This paper discusses the concept of information resources management using the library as touchstone; examines the academic environment and implications of changes for future academic librarianship; and suggests way of looking top-down at library/information school curriculum concentrating on three substantive components of education (theory,…

Reviews information on part-time professionals from legislatures and associations, reports on informal survey of five academic library administrators, and examines part-time librarian situation at a community college (salaries, fringe benefits, adjunct decision making, different success scales). American Library Association's Part Time Employment…

Reports results of study based upon analysis of factors that have militated against proportional representation of women as administrators in libraries belonging to Association of Research Libraries. Demographic and career variables are emphasized: family background and personal characteristics, mobility and career history, role models and…

This study compares attitudes of top level academic library managers with those of middle managers toward the provision of bibliographic instruction. Highlights include hypotheses and research questions; review of literature (doctoral dissertations, journal articles, reports, guidelines); methodology (design, population and sample, data…

Two articles describe National Shelflist Count project organized 13 years ago under auspices of American Library Association's Resources and Technical Services Division to collect and publish comparative data about strengths and growth of major North American research collections. History, limitations, usefulness, and recommendations of 1983 task…

To determine if backlogs of uncataloged monographs still exist and to discover methods of controlling and/or reducing arrearages, a questionnaire was sent to 117 Association of Research Libraries members. Questions were asked concerning arrearage size, storage, arrangement, physical and bibliographic access, and role of automation in reducing or…

Describes a practical study to demonstrate trend analysis and several related statistical instruments that can be applied to library research, presents possible topic for full study, and substantiates author's view on future of libraries. An overall analysis of variance is presented and examples of data analysis are appended. (13 references) (EJS)

Randomly sampled librarians were asked to rate 56 categories of baseline knowledge and skills according to their importance and degree to which respondents considered themselves knowledgeable. Highlights include areas of knowledge; library education effectiveness; and the importance of knowledge and experience, the library position, and the…

A survey of the literature reveals that reliance upon student library assistants has become traditional in American institutions of higher education. The recent government-sponsored development of hiring policies, training programs, and evaluation procedures for student employees confirms their stability as academic library personnel. Forty-three…

This examination of trends and issues that have shaped two-year college learning resources centers (LRCs) focuses on functions within domain of LRC itself. Highlights include factors affecting organizational structure and design, changes in development of the LRC as an organization over the last decade, and LRC structure in practice. (52…