Findings and recommendations compose the two sections of this summary of A Study of the Organization and Governance of Alabama Library Systems. The findings indicate the need for a central coordinating state library agency with multi-type library concerns that could strengthen the role of other state agencies concerned with library development. In…

This assessment of the state of library and information science research in the United Kingdom, which was presented at a joint conference of two Canadian professional associations, focuses on functions of the British Library's Research and Development Department. The importance of research and dissemination of its findings are also discussed. (CDD)

Provides statistics and analysis of librarian's compiled reference questions and bibliographic tools used to answer them, including 26,000 monographs and 2,700 serials titles. Despite the lack of certain resources, the librarian is usually able to find the needed information through knowledge of the collection and resourcefulness. (CDD)

A composite profile of the current academic librarian is created based on a survey of the library literature of the 1980s. Specific topics considered include faculty versus academic status, evaluation criteria, tenure, research support, released time, pressure for and productivity in publishing, and librarians' attitudes toward faculty status.…

Segmented labor market theory is used to explain how the structure of the library labor market may determine salary differences by type of library. Evidence that segmentation exists at intraoccupational levels and the possibility that comparing entire occupations may obscure results are also reported. (Author/CLB)

Describes a course aimed at developing library self-reliance in students that was offered through a predominantly Black outreach program at Evergreen State College. Highlights include the classroom environment and course content, which were constructed collaboratively by students and librarians, and guidelines for similar courses. (CLB)

Describes an instrument designed to assess the reference outcome in terms of patron report of success in finding what was wanted, rather than overall satisfaction. The results of a library survey which tested the reliability of this instrument and compared it with unobtrusive observation are reported. (Author/CLB)

Examines the nature of authority as embedded in organizational and professional structures within an academic library context and its relationship to the fit between the organization and the environment. Self regulation and formal participation are introduced as alternatives to traditional strategies for decision making. (CLB)

New technologies for generating, storing, and transmitting information will radically change information flow on college campuses and in society at large. University librarians will need to design environments for storing and retrieving these new types of information that will continue to nurture the life of the mind and support scholarship.…

This description of the roles of librarians and libraries as information links to different populations focuses on programs to increase literacy; providing equal access, especially to the physically handicapped and institutionally confined; and incorporating the concepts of global perspective and intellectual freedom. (CLB)

ARL is the bimonthly report on research library issues and actions from ARL (Association of Research Libraries), CNI (Coalition of Networked Information), and SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition). ARL reports on current issues of interest to academic and research library administrators, staff, and users; higher education…

This document presents the South Dakota statewide plan for library and information services for 1998-2002. The first section summarizes the use of technology to deliver library services from 1913 to the present. The second section addresses building toward stronger libraries in 2002, including themes from focus group discussions held in 1997,…

This submission presents twelve issues of Fast Facts from the Library Research Service covering various aspects of Colorado libraries. Each issue focuses on statistics related to academic, public, and/or school libraries. Titles include: Colorado Public Libraries and the 2004 November Elections; Pricing Trends for Public Library Print Materials;…

Traditionally, librarians have used printed workbooks to teach students basic information skills. With the emergence of the World Wide Web, opportunities are available to transform these static and linear tools into dynamic, interactive instructional resources. This paper describes the efforts of librarians at California Polytechnic State…

This study examines the interlibrary loan requests made to NEOUCOM's (Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine) Oliver Ocasek Regional Medical Information Center in Rootstown, OH from its associated council hospital libraries. A total of 636 interlibrary loan requests from the period July 1994-July 1995 were analyzed. Components of the…