This report presents data from 116 U.S. and Canadian research libraries that were members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) during the 1995-96 fiscal year. The 1995-96 Preservation Statistics questionnaire was designed to yield statistical information on the current level of preservation efforts in research libraries and on the key…

This paper addresses organization and management issues related to library material selection and acquisitions in the digital age, based on the author's experiences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill library. The first part of the paper focuses on selection. The following principles of selection are discussed: (1) developing a…

The program of the 128th meeting of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is designed around the notion of examining rapid changes taking place in individual institutions and becoming agile enough to adapt, to manage change, and to learn how to effectively lead libraries through these turbulent periods. The program is divided into three main…

The strong emphasis of technology is slowly diminishing the importance of the human element in libraries. The current changes in population demand cultural sensitivity training in all walks of life. Libraries and librarians have a role to play. They need to cope with the multicultural environment by understanding the basics of multiculturalism and…

Sketches history, design, and future plans of VUBIS (joint development of VUB--Vrije Universiteit Brussel/Free University of Brussels, and IS--Interactive Systems, Inc.), an online, user-friendly, public access library system for a European academic library. Search capabilities, cataloging subsystem, and software are discussed. Thirteen references…

Bibliographic survey reviews major studies of careers and mobility of librarians in three countries. Studies in the United States focus on library school students or graduates; librarianship as a career; public, academic, and special libraries; and more than one type of librarian. British and Nigerian studies are more briefly reviewed. (EJS)

To develop method for determining adequacy of library reference desk staffing, data on reference transactions, person hours, percent of professional hours, and turnstile count for 1979 were obtained from 71 academic libraries and correlated with library performance measures. Formulas for predicting number of reference transactions and 17…

This discussion of America's outstanding rare book libraries notes the inception of collections, library facilities, technical difficulties, reference services, publicity efforts, and research. The John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, Clark Library of the University of California, and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.…

A model based on storage and retrieval costs that determines efficient allocation of materials to different storage regimes in academic libraries is developed. An economically rational basis for determining role of several alternative storage methods which distinguish among materials by expected level of use is offered. Nineteen references are…

Summarizes a study conducted on a group of bibliographic instruction librarians from academic libraries in Pennsylvania to determine their backgrounds, their perceptions regarding the adequacy of their training for bibliographic instruction, and their needs for additional training. Data are summarized in 12 tables and a 9-item reference list is…

Lack of library programs for foreign students is substantiated by a questionnaire sent to academic libraries. Specialized library handouts in foreign languages, purchase of materials about students' home countries, outreach by liaison librarian, library instruction, and staff development are suggested as means of providing service. Twenty-two…

Literature of information needs and uses of humanities scholars in universities is reviewed, using materials published from 1970 onwards. Areas covered include definitions of humanities, research materials, secondary services, computers, role of libraries and library services, and comparisons between humanities and other disciplines. A 174-item…

Comparison of business serial subscription prices in 1975 and 1981 in three groups--U.S. and Canadian periodicals; periodicals from other countries; and reference services--examines the problem of rapid cost increase in serial renewals, its effects on library collections, and how to deal with resource allocation within the book budget. (EJS)

Examines the uses, advantages, disadvantages, and purposes of applying television and videotape to library instruction via discussion of a survey that investigated academic libraries' use of videotape in library instruction and staff available for video production. Eleven sources are listed. (FM)

Details findings of a study conducted in 1980 to obtain current national statistics on the composition of the library profession by race, ethnicity, and sex. The study, which was conducted by the American Library Association Office for Library Personnel Resources, will be used in affirmative action planning. (LLS)