Describes potential situations where patron privacy can be endangered by the presence of information technology and how academic librarians can protect patron information and prepare patrons for safe information seeking in the online world. Discusses the USA PATRIOT Act, search warrants, and acceptable use policy. (Author/LRW)

Argues that the full cost and complexity of providing library services to support open and distance education tend to be underestimated. Three fundamental questions are addressed: Why is it necessary to determine the role of libraries in supporting learning? Who meets these costs? and How institutionally independent should access to library and…

Discusses the need for academic libraries to examine memberships in regional library systems given the presence of other networks and recent advances in communication. Describes results of a survey of academic libraries and regional systems in Ohio which found that continuing education and strong local connections were the main reasons for…

Describes a program developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) libraries that moved librarians from the centralized main library to college departments that are not served by branch libraries. Topics include remote access capabilities; librarians' roles, including reference librarian, instructor, Web master,…

Explains President Clinton's donation of books about the United States to the Peking University Library and compares it to a donation of Chinese books from the Peking University library to the library of Kapiolani Community College (Hawaii). Suggests appropriate directions for U.S.-China academic library cooperation and for international academic…

Identifies strategies for attaining minorities and for improving the current status of underrepresented minorities in academic libraries. A plan for action is presented which includes internships for minorities, the Targets of Opportunity Program (TOPS) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, recruiting by networking, and a mentoring…

Discusses library use instruction in public libraries. The need for instruction is examined, the commitment of public libraries to provide information rather than instruction is considered, academic library and public library users' attitudes are discussed, and a 105-item bibliography of descriptive literature on use instruction in public…

Describes a study that analyzed a sample of library and information science journal citations from 1985-88 to determine authors' institutional affiliations. Authors from the private sector, academic librarians, and library and information science faculty are discussed, and suggestions for further research are given. (eight references) (LRW)

Describes a survey of faculty at Albion College on their perceptions of the status, role, and contribution of librarians. The methodology used is explained, the results are compared with prior surveys at the university level, and suggestions for further study are offered. The questionnaire used in the study is appended. (24 references) (Author/CLB)

Description of the microfilming of a women's studies archive at the Texas Woman's University Library discusses: (1) project background; (2) criteria for equipment purchase; (3) equipment selected; (4) recommended resources; (5) indexing and layout decisions; (6) the filming process; and (7) the pros and cons of in-house microreproduction. (three…

Addresses ways to achieve organizationally the most effective application of computer information technology to university library services. The history of the last 25 years in automation at the Stanford University Libraries is reviewed as a case study. (12 references) (MES)

Reports research related to cataloging costs: (1) a comparison of length and complexity of Library of Congress cataloging copy between 1956 and 1981; (2) a survey of cataloging costs at academic libraries; and (3) cataloging costs and salaries since 1876 compared with the rate of inflation. The questionnaire and list of libraries surveyed are…

Historical review covers: (1) the rise of research and research libraries, 1850-1900; (2) the genesis of reference service, 1875-95; (3) the growth of reference service in the research libraries, 1896-1916; (4) reference practices in the research libraries, 1896-1916; (5) legislative and municipal reference work, 1900-16; and (6) current trends…

Considers the interrelationship of the challenges of information overload and outreach and describes a vision of the future mission of information services. The ideas set forth in two recent books on value-added processes in information systems and new priorities for the university are summarized. (28 references) (MES)

Discusses the organization of information in academic libraries and suggests that librarians' organizational experience could be helpful to other academic information systems. Technological advancements in libraries are explained, standardization is considered, and the need to manage information efficiently among all campus departments is…