Discusses the design of combined school/public libraries and includes the views of three high school librarians and two elementary school librarians who helped create combined libraries. Topics include physical design issues, including entrances, lighting, and location; funding; cost benefits; contracts; signage; and parking. (LRW)

The impacts of technology upon traditional library resources are sometimes unexpected. The library at California's University of the Pacific discovered that usage of print materials was dwindling, even though the addition of a 50-station "Information Commons" had bolstered overall library use. At first it was anticipated that the…

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Library participated in the statewide conversion to a new integrated library system in the summer of 2002. Prior to the system's implementation, various local and statewide committees coordinated efforts to train their staffs so as to ensure a seamless transition. This case study analyzes, in…

Purpose: To review a small specialist repository's strategic and opportunistic approach to utilising collaborative regional and national digital initiatives to increase access. The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) Archives activity is evaluated to determine whether a project-based approach recognises and meets the needs of historians,…

Developing a library collection to support the curriculum of Canada's largest computer studies school has debunked many myths about collecting computer science and technology information resources. Computer science students are among the heaviest print book and e-book users in the library. Circulation statistics indicate that the demand for print…

This paper describes the network of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs), a collaborative partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for disseminating patent and trademark information in every state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Typical information sources and services provided at PTDLs are…

Presents a bibliography of sources designed to assist general medical librarians in beginning or expanding their collections of materials on psychiatry for both patients and professional staff. A core list of titles to be adapted to the needs of individual libraries is also provided. (EM)

Discusses several economic concepts and principles important for librarianship--opportunity cost, resources, assets, and investment--and notes the difficulty of placing a monetary value on patron benefits. The law of diminishing marginal returns is applied to the relationships between library services and collection size, and between investment in…

Discussion of topics relating to microform sets of primary material covers value, users, the lack of reviews, difficulty of examination, institutional focus, and selection. Selection factors suggested include: content; reason for the set; sponsoring institution; past use of the collection; publishers' reputation; guides; editors; advertisements;…

This document begins with a statement of purpose for the Utah Governor's Mansion Library. Acknowledgments of individual contributors, institutional contributors, and the Governor's Mansion Foundation Library Committee members are acknowledged. An extensive bibliography lists the Library's holdings; entries are divided into sections for nonfiction,…

This paper addresses the library collection development of spatial information in cartographic format. Highlights include: the impermanent nature of maps; changes in spatial information creation, storage, processing, and management resulting from developments in computer-based information technology; steps required to download the digital version…

This paper traces the development of the National Library of Canada's newspaper collection in conjunction with the Decentralized Program for Canadian Newspapers. The paper also presents a sampling from the collection in order to illustrate the rich variety of the press that has followed in the footsteps of Fleury Mesplet, one of the first printers…

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of limited outsourcing in libraries, focusing on the purchase of electronic bibliographic records. Argues that any outsourcing strategy based primarily on saving money is likely to result in lower quality collections and services and lower user satisfaction. (PEN)

Presents a list of 334 social theory monographs that was developed for collection evaluation in a major research library in a field that is not readily accessible through traditional subject headings or lists. The discussion covers preliminary bibliographic analysis and hints for use in smaller libraries. (Author/CLB)

Provides an overview of material offered at seminars put on by the Video Education for Libraries Project. Discussion covers all aspects of collection development and video services policy including copyright considerations. The importance of independent film works for collections is emphasized. (EA)