Explains three basic models of school librarianship: the American model, where school libraries are funded by school districts; the British model, where school and public library systems are entwined; and a combined model, in which school and public libraries coexist. Discusses models for school librarianship in developing countries are also…

Explains how a new systems administrator can make good first impressions, become familiar with the library, and take charge. Describes ways of working effectively with equipment and human resources, and outlines types of library staff personalities the systems librarian may encounter. Discusses organizing the data gathered into action plans. (AEF)

Discusses digital libraries and Web site design issues. Highlights include accessibility issues, including standards, markup languages like HTML and XML, and metadata; building virtual communities; the use of Web portals for customized delivery of information; quality assurance tools, including data mining; and determining user needs, including…

Because of the high incidence of special-collections thefts and embezzlements during the past decade, library management must reassess its "user friendly" philosophy for both library patrons and employees. An internal control system is described. Causes of theft, and policies and procedures for protecting the collection are discussed. (AEF)

Explains why information-science professionals may find it well to keep planning to a minimum, stay flexible, and alter the outline in order to succeed in today's fast-paced world. Discusses ideas of renowned management consultant Margaret Wheatley, and the need to rethink the roles of managers and leaders. (AEF)

Describes the role of strategic partnerships between the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and the regional library networks. Discusses the evolution of the relationship, cooperative services, training materials development, policy decision-making, conflict among partners, and benefits. (AEF)

Identifies attributes that directors of the academic libraries in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) need. Present-day directors must possess a wide variety of attributes and are less likely to remain in the same position for as long as their predecessors did. With the aging population of academic librarians, matching the right individual…

Discusses operational, organizational, and technological developments that are transforming the workplace; describes the concept of knowledge worker and the information utility model; considers how these factors provide opportunities for library administrators and other information resource management professionals to improve user services; and…

Identifies the types of individuals engaged in financial activities with whom an acquisitions librarian at a university library may need to interact. Discusses why financial relationships with these individuals are important to acquisitions librarians and how these relationships can be established and enhanced. (JMV)

Discusses methods of managing queues (waiting lines) to optimize the use of student computer stations in school library media centers and to make searches more efficient and effective. The three major factors in queue management are arrival interval of the patrons, service time, and number of stations. (Author/LRW)

Describes characteristics of core competencies. Examines the competencies a librarian should possess. Discusses types of competence and reviews advantages of developing and improving core competencies. Looks at core competencies in terms of the major service areas of public libraries. Presents several steps for building core competencies.…

Reflects on the outcomes of a project undertaken in 1997-98 and examines issues relating to the development of the managerial expertise that underpins the library and information services in Latin America and the Caribbean. Reviews the literature, summarizes results of surveys of schools of Librarianship and Information Sciences and a small…

Using the Delphi technique, this paper continues to develop a set of attributes that Association of Research Libraries directors of today and the near future will need to possess. The questions remaining are: How does the list of attributes change in other organizational settings? and Where can each attribute best be acquired? (Author/AEF)

Discusses the adaptation of existing buildings for public libraries in Kenya by the Kenya National Library Service. Topics include the role of the community; determining the suitability of adapted buildings from a library management perspective; and recommendations, including updating standards, increasing the number of professional librarians,…

Analyzes the impact of the change in management approach in two academic libraries from hierarchy to teams and examines differences between the expected and actual results. Discusses strategies from for-profit organizations that may be adopted by not-for-profit institutions and considers the inclusion of student workers in the team approach. (LRW)