Describes how large-group brainstorming via e-mail at the University of Northern Iowa was used for strategic planning. Discusses factors affecting electronic brainstorming success and the advantages and disadvantages of electronic brainstorming. (AEF)

Outlines a lesson plan used by an academic library to evaluate the quality of World Wide Web information. Discusses the traditional evaluation criteria of accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage as it applies to the unique characteristics of Web pages: their marketing orientation, variety of information, and instability. The…

A survey at the University at Albany (New York) on user satisfaction with reference services gathered information on behavioral characteristics of librarians: interest, confidence, friendliness, and enthusiasm, as well as on patron comfort and overall satisfaction. Analysis of the data (n=100) indicates that user satisfaction depends on more than…

Reviews 18 articles on Israeli libraries published between 1978 and 1995. Highlights concerns about the lack of a clear national role for the Jewish National and University Library, the slowness of libraries to adopt MARC standards, a weak national policy on public libraries, slow development of school libraries, and the limited professional…

Describes thin clients, a networking technology that allows organizations to provide software applications over networked workstations connected to a central server. Topics include corporate settings; major advantages, including cost effectiveness and increased computer security; problems; and possible applications for large public and academic…

Guidelines on the review writing process for librarians are provided. Reasons for reviewing, tips on getting started, and suggestions for great reviews are presented. Benefits include expanding personal knowledge, stimulating scholarly debate, and giving young librarians in undergraduate and college libraries a place to start publishing. (AEF)

Academic librarians and faculty library representatives were interviewed about the relationship between librarians and faculty in collection development. The problem stressed by library representatives was communication with department colleagues. Librarians thought the system of library representatives depended on the representative's view of the…

Provides an historical overview of the role of the librarian in the university; discusses the academic librarian as information professional; and presents a case study of an academic library. Examines the study findings and implications, and discusses the skills (human relations, technical, cognitive, and behavioral) required of academic…

Discusses results of a Web survey on the use of Spanish language subject headings in local academic library catalogs. Indicates that, while few libraries assign such headings locally, many retain and display them in the catalog when they are provided through copy cataloging records. (Author/LRW)

Reports findings of a survey of 48 undergraduate students regarding their perceptions of academic librarians and discusses ideas for addressing existing misconceptions. Highlights include perceptions concerning librarians' education; librarians' skills, knowledge, and expertise; librarians versus clerical workers; and librarians' attitudes toward…

Explains the need for attention to library environment in terms of conservation, disaster planning, and external environmental factors. Discusses measures adopted at the University of the West Indies Trinidad related to operation and maintenance of buildings and physical plant, describes a workplace evaluation project, and examines factors…

Discusses problems with patron Internet access in academic libraries and describes a study conducted at Northwestern University (Illinois) that used Internet tracking software to assess user Internet behavior. Topics include Internet use policies; pornography; and loss of control over library services and information content that is provided. (LRW)

Discusses how to change library information literacy classes for Generation Y students (born after 1981) to accommodate their learning styles and preferences, based on experiences at California State University, Hayward. Topics include positive outlooks toward technology; orientation toward images, not linear text; low thresholds for boredom and…

Describes a study that explored the role electronic journals currently play in faculty's weekly scholarly reading habits at the University of Georgia. Discusses faculty choices for locating full-text articles and reports survey results that indicated that electronic access to journals, particularly library-funded access, is integral to research…

Discusses a program to improve library instruction at Rider University (New Jersey) and reports on a pilot assessment. Topics include problems with assessment; student assessment tools; and five standards based on ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) standards that were designed to improve teaching methods to address learning…