Describes the policy of shared governance with universities, in which faculty and administration participate in institutional decision making, and discusses the need for librarian participation in this process. Strategies to encourage librarian participation are outlined, including delineation of appropriate service activities and the provision of…

Describes study that was designed to assess user interaction with InfoTrac, a computerized periodical index on optical disc that is accessed through workstations consisting of a microcomputer and printer. Use in three types of libraries--an undergraduate academic library, a graduate-level academic library, and a public library--is examined. (LRW)

Provides an overview of the Minnesota State University System's Project for Automated Library Systems (MSUS/PALS), a fully integrated library system. Highlights include a historical background; search strategies; the online catalog; MARC editing; circulation; interlibrary loan; inventory; serials control; acquisitions; relationships with vendors;…

Economic, technical, administrative, and other issues to be resolved in scholarly communication in an age of advancing technology are discussed. Recent initiatives in electronic publishing that address concerns in the areas of scholarly journals, books, data distribution and management, multimedia approaches, nontraditional applications, access…

Discusses a survey of over 500 public, academic, and special libraries on the use of bibliographic, reference, specialized, and multimedia/interactive CD-ROMs and the Internet. Demand, funding, and equipment needs are considered, and graphs display the distribution of results. (AEF)

Discusses the need for information on ethnic groups in academic library reference departments; describes the use of automated indexes, CD-ROM, and online databases; and gives examples of indexing and usage of terms related to Southeast Asians in four CD-ROM databases: InfoTrac EF (Extended Family), ERIC, PsycLIT, and Business Periodicals Index.…

Discusses changes in scholarly and cultural records resulting from the transition from print to electronic information. The role of libraries is considered, including licensing agreements, interlibrary loans, broadcast media, networks, preservation of records, and dangers of centralization; and problems with reliance on electronic information…

Analyzes current opinion on the development of information literacy skills among adult higher education students. Highlights include lifelong learning; information literacy and the role of the academic librarian; adult learning theory; defining information skills; and information literacy and the external student, including continuing education,…

Argues that the university library in the twenty-first century must lead the development of the campus information environment and support the scholar's workstation. The need to assist staff in adapting to a new mission is discussed, and seven emerging principles for library service are described. (Contains eight references.) (NRP)

Provides several examples of drawbacks encountered when technological improvements are applied to the public access of library databases. Suggests that technological advances all carry some trade-off and that they should be employed cautiously. (NRP)

Describes library services and operations at the University of Burundi, including historical background, branch libraries, collection development, acquisitions, and library organization. An exchange program with Pennsylvania State University is explained, and existing constraints in Burundi are discussed, including inadequate facilities,…

In response to national downsizing, Ontario University conducted a study which explored how academic librarians coped with job loss and examined stressful institutional and personal elements (i.e., self-doubt, anger). Results found needs for library's plan to handle position elimination; coordination between library and personnel departments; and…

Ameritech provides automated systems to academic and public libraries which in turn provide services to communities. It has identified library marketplace trends, including increases in use of electronic resources; interconnectivity of resources; number of remote users; and expectations regarding access to online catalogs, full-text documents, and…

Compares Florida State University (FSU) and University of West Florida (UWF) library reference departments using a five-task model for strategic management in organizations. The libraries serve different kinds of users; one supports programs through the doctoral level and the other serves only bachelors' and masters' programs. They have similar…

Examines literature for guiding libraries to develop services that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Presents a case of the University of Alabama Libraries' establishment of a technologies lab to serve the needs of the blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled students; examines problems and efforts to increase staff…