Reports on an informal survey of plans, practices, and strategies in relation to optical reference tools at several research libraries. The discussion focuses on start-up and continued funding, hidden costs, cost savings options, and future costs. (5 references) (MES)

Profiles National Archives established by Congress in 1934 to collect and organize federal documents of permanent historic value. Types of materials included in archives, the Washington building and regional centers, the "Declaration of Independence," arrangement and preservation of materials, declassification of documents, and archives…

Three major difficulties in establishing effective cooperative conservation programs are: (1) the problem of allocation of responsibilities for preserving individual items; (2) the lack of people adequately trained in physical preservation; and (3) the need for a national initiative in preservation. (PF)

This bimonthly newsletter offers a forum for discussion of research library issues and actions. Regular features include: Current Issues; Office of Scientific and Academic Publishing; Federal Relations; Coalition for Networked Information; Office of Management Services; ARL Activities; and ARL Calendar. Newsletter highlights include the following…

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has collected descriptive data from its members for the better part of the 20th century. This data shows that as libraries' environments change to reflect increased interest in accountability and institutional outcomes. To account for this, an ARL New Measures Initiative has been established to develop…

Regression techniques are used to define a method determining when and to what extent technical reports should be collected by college or university libraries. A questionnaire sent to ninety-four libraries and published sources were analyzed and used to predict the number of technical reports a library should have. (4 references) (Author/DH)

The questions of when and how best to computerize the catalog of a large research library, and how to improve an existing conventional catalog, motivated a study of the utilization of the main catalog of the Yale University Library. The study was designed to provide a representative sample of catalog use. (7 references) (Author/NH)

This interview with the president of Research Libraries Group who assumed his duties in January 1983 covers past experiences, perceptions of libraries and librarians, management and technical problems experienced by Research Libraries Information Network, financial situation, prospects for growth, new members, online catalogs, technological…

Provides descriptions of prominent libraries in Dublin, Ireland, including Trinity College Library, National Library of Ireland, Chester Beatty Library, Marsh's Library (first public library), Kings Inn Law School Library, Steevens Hospital Library, Royal Irish Academy Library, Royal Dublin Society Library, religious libraries (Franciscan,,…

Presents an activity analysis of the tasks performed and the time expended by public service librarians at a research library. Data obtained with this tool are evalutated in terms of the differing viewpoints held by library and university administrators. (Author/RAA)

Discusses the changes in the major motion picture research collections during the past 15 years and describes the contents of the five largest remaining ones: Twentieth Century-Fox Research Library, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Research Library, Burbank Public Library--Warner Research Collection, Universal City Studios Research Library, Walt Disney…

Visual information is not yet in common usage among librarians. It is hoped that the term will be adopted by the information profession at large as new areas of research develop which depend largely on nonverbal documents. A decision must be made as to which forms of visual information will be needed for--scholarly and scientific use. (Author/AP)

Discusses the concepts of accountability and quality assessment in higher education. Topics include performance indicators in academic libraries, including international standards; factors affecting the reliability and validity of data, including consistency, ease versus utility, and values; and recommendations for research libraries. (LRW)

Discusses the need for organizational change in academic research libraries, based on a study of a small group of libraries that had experienced varying degrees of restructuring and had analyzed factors that energized change. Highlights include organizational flexibility, external or client-centered orientation, staff empowerment, and improving…

Describes the "Excellence in Academic Libraries" award in the university division from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Discusses the history of the award; results of the award; winning libraries as examples of excellence; cash award; and campus impact. (AEF)