Discussion of information consulting in academic libraries focuses on consulting with faculty, administrators, and other related scholars. Topics include the need for more active information consulting, including the growth of interdisciplinary research, changes in information seeking behavior, and changes in scholarly communication; and elements…

Discusses issues relating to costs of library and information services in the academic library in transition, reviews the functional cost analysis method, and presents selected data gathered from a larger study on the costs and value of various library services. Applications to a digital information environment are also discussed. (Author/LRW)

Explains how reference, acquisitions, and serials staff at the University of New Mexico library collaborated to develop systematic procedures to improve the management of problematic serials and monographs in the reference department. Serials reference work is discussed and use of the INNOPAC integrated system is described. (Author/LRW)

Describes an experiment at the State University of New York at Albany with electronic reserve using a World Wide Web (WWW) client/server system. Highlights include user satisfaction; advantages over traditional reserve; ease of access, including home computers; communication between instructors and technical operators; copyright issues; and the…

Argues that the traditional philosophy of public service has remained relevant and vital to overall library reference service despite information technology and other societal changes. Topics include information and information technology; and economic, political, and social trends as they influence reference librarians and reference service.…

Celebrates the achievements of African-American librarians and their contributions to librarianship. Identifies and reviews records of scholarship that can serve as starting points for students and scholars. Chronicles achievements of numerous individuals and provides additional resources for further investigation. Suggests areas of further…

Explores the possibility of using Web contact center software to offer reference assistance to remote users. Discusses a project by the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System/Santiago Library System consortium to test contact center software and to develop a virtual reference network. (Author/LRW)

Describes an experimental integrated service point that combines the desks and staff who perform reference and circulation at one of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's libraries. Considers whether this service model can consolidate public service points to improve response to customer needs; discusses performance measurement; and offers…

This article derives from a review of key challenges confronted by libraries that are actively investing in online collections and services. Conducted in the first instance to help refine programmatic goals of the Digital Library Federation (DLF), it took account of digital library developments, successes, needs, and challenges perceived by…

Discusses the Los Angeles Public Library's TeenS'cape, located in the middle of the city's Central Library. This technically sophisticated library space, opened after the 1992 L.A. riots, provides custom furnishings, postmodernist architecture, and equipment and materials specifically catered to the local teens, amid the culture of…

Describes the process of initiating an e-mail reference service in 1995 at the Ohio State University Health Sciences Library and the growth of the service through 2000. Includes data on types of patrons who use the service; types of questions and answers; and how results have led to re-evaluating all reference services. (LRW)

Describes a study conducted at Auburn University that analyzed four months of chat reference questions received at a centralized reference services desk. Discusses types of questions; types of users; whether questions were localized to the specific library's resources; and further areas of research. (Author/LRW)

Topics include: digital library projects in the National Science Foundation's NSDL program; an electronic reserve platform at the University of Calgary; highlights from the sixth International Summer School on the Digital Library; the Digital Imaging Project of South Africa; a database of local information at the Oregon State University library;…

Discusses the value of partnerships between libraries and other organizations, based on successful experiences at the Chicago Public Library. Topics include perceptions of public libraries; extending outreach programs; staff member potential; library mission statement; partner motivation; providing services to respond to community needs; and…

Includes four articles that discuss LibQUAL+[TM], a collaborative effort of the Association of Research Libraries and Texas A&M University responding to the need for greater accountability in measuring the delivery of library services to research library users. Discusses the reliability of LibQUAL+[TM] scores in measuring perceived library…