Reflects on the potency of libraries as community assets during the past 2000 years. Traces the preservation of knowledge in ancient libraries. Addresses ecclesiastical library development and the relatively recent rise of public and academic libraries; identifies their connections with their communities, and the relevance for today. Describes…

Describes the Web-based technologies employed by the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in implementing access to local information resources. Discusses Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) technologies and the associated local database structure and format, as well as the general…

Presents The Keystone Principles developed by academic library directors through ARL (Association of Research Libraries) and OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) that focus on three areas: (1) access to information as a public good; (2) the responsibility of libraries to create innovative information systems to disseminate information; and (3)…

Securing adequate insurance coverage is an important aspect of preserving library collections. Insurers determine rates, within an institution's limits of coverage, based on the library building's environment and the library's estimate of the collection's replacement cost. Methods of categorizing and projecting these costs are explored with…

Discusses how traditional work of academic reference librarians has been impacted by access to electronic publications on the World Wide Web. Describes how librarians are using the Web to create publications for in-house library users and remote users through HTML documents that provide access to Web and other electronic resources. (Author/LRW)

Integrating science and technology libraries into a single unit involves identifying what is unique about each, addressing user and staff concerns, establishing new communications patterns, encouraging staff participation in the change process, and redirecting identity and loyalties to the larger entity. Progress-to-date is described in…

A librarian at Southern Oregon University who became the campus Webmaster examines whether this new role was outside his job description, or a redefinition/expansion of an existing position. Discussion includes colleagues' differing reactions; how he became the campus Webmaster; what the library gains and loses; and perspective on the future of…

A complex tool, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the relative efficiency of major academic research libraries that are members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). Results of a two-year base line study using traditional measures taken from 1995-96 ARL statistics are reported. (AEF)

Describes a study of Nigerian university and research librarians that examined the relationships between knowledge, training, and experience of librarians on the use of computers and their attitudes towards the computer. Results indicate that there are significant relationships between these variables and computer attitudes. (Author/LRW)

Discusses library reference services. Topics include the historical development of reference services; instruction in library use, particularly in college and university libraries; guidance; information and referral services and how they differ from traditional question-answering service; and future concerns, including user fees and the planning…

Describes a program at Eastern Washington University that integrates library skills as a component of the English composition program, and is part of a computer-literacy program stemming from a general-education curriculum reform. Discusses program development and design, assessment of student learning, and effectiveness of the program. (LRW)

Explores recent development in the production and delivery of scholarly journal articles in digital form. Identifies key stakeholders as authors, publishers, librarians, and users; explores the interrelationships of different stakeholder groups; and reviews cost and pricing developments, including efforts to reduce costs for academic libraries.…

Includes four articles that discuss a conceptual framework for open and context-sensitive reference linking for Web-based scholarly information; issues for academic libraries due to increased use of information and communication technologies; the future of electronic books in academic libraries; and an academic library user study on the needs for…

This preliminary study was designed to benchmark patron perceptions of reference desk services at academic health science libraries, using a standard questionnaire. Responses were compared to determine the library that provided the highest-quality service overall and along five service dimensions. All libraries were rated very favorably, but none…

The purpose of this study was to assess usability of an academic library Web site and to better understand how faculty and students complete typical tasks using one. Despite their success in completing the tasks, participants experienced difficulties in knowing where to start and with the site's information architecture-in particular while…