Proposes a model based on mechanical selection for core collection development that is appropriate for large and medium-size academic research libraries. Statistics that show a large percent of desirable books are published by a small percent of publishers are presented, and titles published by university presses and by commercial presses are…

Presents results from two surveys of catalog departments in academic libraries that were conducted to determine the changing role of catalog librarians. Main areas of focus include catalog department organizational patterns; the managerial responsibilities of the cataloger; and which cataloging tasks are performed by professionals and which are…

Summarizes advantages, components, and manufacturers of CD-ROM networks based on experiences at the Central Connecticut State University library. Three configurations are described, and the steps in installing a network where a large number of databases are shared by a number of microcomputers are detailed. Licensing and network performance issues…

Describes various organizational structures and models, presents matrix management as an alternative to traditional hierarchical structures, and suggests matrix management as an appropriate organizational alternative for academic libraries. Benefits that are discussed include increased flexibility, a higher level of professional independence, and…

Examines the cooperative efforts of the Western Library Network (WLN) and its members to maintain authority control over its central bibliographic database. The first section describes authority maintenance activities performed by WLN centrally, and the second describes the contribution of an individual member library--the Washington State…

Discusses burnout among teaching librarians and suggests cooperative learning methods in bibliographic instruction classes as a way to avoid burnout. A workshop is described that was developed at SUNY College at Oswego to teach other librarians collaborative and cooperative teaching methods, and background materials on group work in education are…

Describes a study of the UCLA ORION online catalog that was conducted to determine (1) how often lengthy subject headings occur in the database, and what the effects of compressing the subject headings would be; and (2) how often the display of a term and its subdivisions are interrupted by syntactical construction. (seven references) (LRW)

Describes a study that examined bibliographic and circulation records for a sample of 248 academic dissertations to determine the effect of controlled subject headings in the records on circulation of the items. Results indicate that dissertations with Library of Congress subject headings were more likely to circulate. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the vulnerability of academic library collections in the rush to replace traditional printed materials with electronic resources. Explains the relationship between strong library collections and school rankings, faculty with doctorates, and faculty productivity. (LRW)

Discusses problems with performance evaluations in academic libraries and examines attribution theory, a sociopsychological theory which helps explain how biases may arise in the performance-evaluation process and may be responsible for producing serious and unrecognized inequities. Considers fairness in performance evaluation and differential…

Discusses mergers and acquisitions in the publishing industry, including alliances among the largest publishers and printers; planned and abandoned deals; issues in academia, including rising scholarly journal prices and electronic journals; smaller firm alliances; magazine publishing; and newspaper consolidations. (LRW)

Describes use of the contingent valuation method, a survey technique, to estimate the economic value that patrons attached to reference-desk service in the Virginia Commonwealth University library. Argues that the appropriate measure of patron benefit from reference service includes use value and option value. (Author/LRW)

Discusses outsourcing in library technical-services departments and how to make the department more cost-effective to limit the need for outsourcing as a less expensive alternative. Topics include experiences at State University of New York at Buffalo; efficient use of computers for in-house programs; and staff participation. (LRW)

Explains how educators can develop avenues of indirect library advocacy. Outlines five opportunities for indirect advocacy recruiting which focus on a brand-new teacher, a veteran teacher new to the school, a teacher assigned outside the area of university preparation, a teacher whose assignment has been radically changed, and a teacher taking…

Examines specific Internet-related work activities of academic government documents librarians in the United States and how these activities are affecting academic government documents librarians' professional relationships. Results are reported from a national survey of 226 academic government documents librarians that indicate closer…