A survey of 30 recently constructed academic libraries indicates that space needs for library media services can be allocated based upon the level of service the media center will provide. A method for calculating space needs based upon the level of service and the overall size of the library is proposed. (five references) (LAE)

Presents a summary report of the fall 1991 meeting of the Task Force of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). Topics discussed include the flow of networked information; perspectives from the humanities, arts, and social sciences; the potential economic importance of NREN (National Research and Education Network); and information…

A comparison of book reviews for humanities and social sciences books named to CHOICE's 1987 "Outstanding Academic Books" with a selection of books not named to the list showed no substantial difference in the number or quality of reviews received. Study suggests that libraries should be cautious in their reliance on published lists for…

An analysis of 100 online public access catalog (OPAC) search sessions explored the effectiveness of converting unsuccessful subject searches to keyword searches. It is suggested that either a system generated message to the user to try a keyword search, or an automatic conversion of zero-hit searches might be effective in improving search…

In February 1991, OCLC tested its newly developed product--the FirstSearch Catalog. Designed distinctly for the end user, FirstSearch is an online computer system providing access to a variety of databases. By October 1991, the system was made commercially available to all OCLC member libraries. The Ohio State University served as a test site for…

Examines organizational commitment in unionized and nonunionized research libraries based on a survey of 400 professional employees at 26 libraries. Organizational commitment was studied in relation to union presence, union membership status, and union commitment. (Contains 22 references.) (KRN)

Describes the historical development of libraries and bibliographic instruction (BI) under the Communist system; provides impressions of research libraries visited during a tour of Saint Petersburg (Russia), Kiev (Ukraine), and Budapest (Hungary); and gives examples of BI as it exists in Eastern Europe today. (KRN)

Describes Gopher, a microcomputer-based software program that helps users navigate through the Internet using a hierarchical menu system to locate information. The idea of client servers is discussed; benefits for libraries are described; and the use of Gopher as the basis for a campuswide information system is explained. (LRW)

Describes ANLI (Adaptive Network Library Interface), an interface to an academic library's online catalog that links documents through interactions with users. Topics addressed include relation to neural networks; system design issues, including network management; the architecture of the ANLI; and the ANLI as a research tool. (Contains five…

Provides regression-based empirical evidence of the effects of variations in exchange rate risk on 1985 library prices of the top-ranked 99 journals in economics. The relationship between individual journal prices and library prices is shown, and other factors associated with increases and decreases in library journal prices are given. (Contains…

Describes how St. Mary's University Academic Library (San Antonio, Texas) sought to avoid end-user "CD-ROM information overload." The resulting CD-ROM user instruction strategy, and the library's long-range plans, are profiled. (MAB)

Four articles review the development of the MELVYL system, which began as the online catalog for the University of California campuses. Topics discussed include union catalogs; local library systems versus bibliographic utilities; retrospective conversion; MELVYL as a reference tool; and an online survey of remote use of MELVYL. (LRW)

Describes job responsibilities of assistant/associate library directors. Changes affecting libraries as a result of automation and their impact on management are discussed, and two studies of public and academic libraries that examined ratings of managerial skills and competencies by directors and assistant directors are reviewed. (nine…

Although the literature has suggested a variety of helpful ways to deal with international students, academic librarians should become more aware of pronunciation differences, more attuned to meanings, and more tactful and sensitive to differing cultural perspectives. Formal coursework in foreign language and culture is suggested. (EA)

Provides an overview of the University of California MELVYL online catalog and database system, describes the Z39.50 information retrieval protocol, and discusses the implementation of the Z39.50 protocol into the MELVYL system. Implementor organizations are described, and future possibilities are suggested. (eight references) (LRW)