Discusses problems with performance evaluations in academic libraries and examines attribution theory, a sociopsychological theory which helps explain how biases may arise in the performance-evaluation process and may be responsible for producing serious and unrecognized inequities. Considers fairness in performance evaluation and differential…

Discusses mergers and acquisitions in the publishing industry, including alliances among the largest publishers and printers; planned and abandoned deals; issues in academia, including rising scholarly journal prices and electronic journals; smaller firm alliances; magazine publishing; and newspaper consolidations. (LRW)

Describes use of the contingent valuation method, a survey technique, to estimate the economic value that patrons attached to reference-desk service in the Virginia Commonwealth University library. Argues that the appropriate measure of patron benefit from reference service includes use value and option value. (Author/LRW)

Discusses outsourcing in library technical-services departments and how to make the department more cost-effective to limit the need for outsourcing as a less expensive alternative. Topics include experiences at State University of New York at Buffalo; efficient use of computers for in-house programs; and staff participation. (LRW)

Explains how educators can develop avenues of indirect library advocacy. Outlines five opportunities for indirect advocacy recruiting which focus on a brand-new teacher, a veteran teacher new to the school, a teacher assigned outside the area of university preparation, a teacher whose assignment has been radically changed, and a teacher taking…

Examines specific Internet-related work activities of academic government documents librarians in the United States and how these activities are affecting academic government documents librarians' professional relationships. Results are reported from a national survey of 226 academic government documents librarians that indicate closer…

Discussion of transaction log analysis at academic libraries focuses on its use for managerial purposes, specifically personnel scheduling at the reference desk. Describes a study that examined data from two academic libraries and data from one of the libraries that had been collected 10 years ago. (LRW)

Reports the results of a study that investigated whether faculty who use computer mediated communication (CMC) achieve greater scholarly productivity as measured by publications and numerous other prestige factors. Findings that indicate positive results from CMC are described, implications for faculty and academic libraries are discussed, and…

Examines shelving policies for CD-ROMs that accompany books, based on experiences at Texas A&M University. After studying circulation data, loss rates, and the availability of replacements, it is recommended that the CD-ROMS be shelved with the books on the shelves instead of in a special separate location. (LRW)

This study examined the increase in collaboration in the literature of academic librarianship, explores the relationship between collaboration and article quality as well as author productivity, compares collaborative patterns of college versus university librarians, and considers factors that lead to successful collaboration. (Contains 56…

This case study at the Idaho State University library examines the relative merits of the features and functionality of the various free versions of the ERIC database in comparison with a commercial version. Recommends a commercial version of ERIC to take advantage of the enhanced search features. (Author/LRW)

Investigates the effect of the Internet in references services in Malaysian academic libraries, and examines library professionals' perceptions of the importance of the Internet in reference work. Respondents felt the Internet has contributed positively to reference work and has enhanced their effectiveness and efficiency; however, a majority…

Provides a historical overview of bibliographic instruction in academic libraries from the 1800s to the present. Highlights include convincing administrators and faculty of the need for library instruction, various types of instruction, methods of improvement, the need for faculty and staff cooperation, and examples of successful and unsuccessful…

Describes a cooperative venture in bibliographic instruction between faculty and librarians at the American Graduate School of International Management that was developed to introduce students to the kinds of external information sources they would encounter in the business world, to aid in strategic planning, and to achieve a competitive edge.…

Discussion of off-campus bibliographic instruction focuses on the experiences of Genesee Community College (New York) students who receive their bibliographic instruction in the library of the State University of New York College at Geneseo. Topics include cooperation between librarians, and communication between faculty and librarians.…