Sponsored by the 28 member libraries of the British Columbia Union Catalogue (BCUC), this proposal requests funds from provincial government to establish the British Columbia Library Network (BCLN), a computerized library information system based on the existing BCUC organization and database. Chapters describe the need for the establishment of…

The 25 essays written for this compilation focus on a variety of initiatives undertaken by librarians, information scientists, and educators to give increased service with diminished funding. They show librarians responding to a changed environment through creating new organizational patterns, making use of new technologies, and participating…

The purpose of these guidelines, prepared by the Audio-Visual Committee of the Association of College and Research Libraries, is to supply basic assistance to those academic libraries that will assume all or a major portion of an audio-visual program. They attempt to assist librarians to recognize and develop their audio-visual responsibilities…

Describes how a librarian, assisted by a knowledge engineer, developed a computerized reference assistance system for a separate government documents department. Rationale for the expert system, problems in selecting reference materials and user questions to computerize, and the formulation of a workable human/computer interface are covered. A…

Examines the elements required to ensure the operation and use of special collections within an austerity context in order to develop a rationale for their continued support. Strategies for support are discussed, including the establishment of a strong rationale, the development of external funding sources, and models for cooperative efforts.…

Recent trends in the pricing of online database systems are described and their impact on searcher behavior and satisfaction is discussed. A design is proposed for a major research project that would use data gathered by the Information Market Indicators to assess the feasibility of a price-based solution. (CLB)

The second of two articles on the acquisition and implementation of a large laserdisk service at Texas A&M University covers equipment and supplies, future plans, service, staffing, training of staff and patrons, and statistics. A floor plan, user instruction sheet, and news release are included. (MES)

Describes the impact of reduced budgets on British university libraries in the areas of acquisitions, staffing, services, buildings, and library cooperation. The effects of changes in the funding and organization of universities on the library's role within the university are also discussed. (9 notes with references) (CLB)

Presents statistics about academic computing facilities based on data collected over the past six years from 1,753 institutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico for the "Directory of Computing Facilities in Higher Education." Organizational, functional, and financial characteristics are examined as well as types of…

Reviews results of a survey by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) of 3,835 scholars in the humanities and social sciences who are working both in colleges and universities and outside the academic community. Areas highlighted include professional reading, authorship patterns, computer use, and library use. (LRW)

A survey at the University of Houston examined factors related to subject searching success in online catalogs, including: extent of subject searching; response to unsuccessful searches; reasons subject search is not used; users' awareness of sources of subject terms; and suggestions from users for improving subject searching capabilities. (CLB)

Describes a study of library users' search strategies which focused on the extent of subject searching activity when using bibliographic tools and shelf browsing. The use of the results to evaluate the impact of a future online catalog on search behaviors is discussed. (23 references) (CLB)

Describes the 1927 American Library Association's job classification and compensation plan, which attempted to identify job duties and minimum qualifications for the entire library profession. The development of the plan, problems with the research methodology used, and the relevance of the plan to current problems in librarianship are discussed.…

Discusses the need for innovative management techniques if integrated library systems are to be implemented successfully, as well as the opportunity the installation process provides to reexamine the organizational structure and objectives of the library and to introduce a creative organizational environment. (CLB)

Reports on study of academic librarians' perceptions of information processing and organizational climate. Findings discussed include significant relationship between democratic governance climate and information dissemination; high dependency on internal oral sources as input for decision making; minimal selection of information resources based…