Identifies research topics related to outcomes assessment in a networked environment and discusses issues affecting these topics. Proposes a framework to relate traditional evaluation components and terminology to the networked environment and identifies factors in the networked environment that affect assessment methods. Suggests outcomes…

Discussion of oral narrative tradition and storytelling focuses on the role of librarian-storytellers. A story of children's librarians and their storytelling experiences at the Los Angeles Public Library is described, the process of acquiring and developing storytelling skills and roles is examined, and implications for administrators and…

Examines factors to be considered in the management of technological change in libraries and information services. The organizational climate for change is discussed, and factors to consider when developing a strategy for introducing a new product, service, or system are described, including leadership, goals, political processes, marketing, and…

Proposes targeting individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations and trusts as a means of supplementing library fund-raising campaigns. The basics of establishing and maintaining a private funds foundation are addressed, including goal setting, personnel required, and nurturing the library's relationship with the community. A sidebar by…

Discusses the current emphasis on assessment of library effectiveness and describes several assessment techniques. It is argued that, by encouraging staff to develop an attitude of self-assessment based on their ability to add value to library services, the assessment phenomenon can be used to improve the overall quality of libraries. (11…

Describes the Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator and examines its use as a management tool for library administrators to build effective work teams. Successful applications of the method are described, its limitations are discussed, and suggestions for the effective use of this tool are offered. (Five references) (CLB)

Relates the Seminole Community College (Florida) library's experience barcoding a collection of materials and provides practical suggestions on how to implement barcoding in other libraries. Highlights include a barcode plan (smart barcodes and dumb barcodes), worker guidelines, problems encountered, and costs. An annotated bibliography and seven…

Addresses the students' perspective of library employment. Discusses a study conducted at the University of Virginia (1987) on student attitudes and library employment practices, and provides 12 recommendations for better management. Also notes the implication of part-time work, the importance of using performance measures, and the benefits of…

Presents three articles that discuss customer service in libraries, with a focus on planning for service management, a customer service program for library staff, and a quality improvement process. Highlights include developing and implementing service strategies, dealing with requests, redefining work relationships, coworkers as customers,…

Proposes ways in which computerized data available in public libraries can be organized and used for management decision making. Experiences in the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library system and the Monroe County (Indiana) Public Library system are described, and use of the data for preparing materials acquisition budgets is discussed. (36…

Discusses the unionization of support staff in academic and public libraries based on experiences in Ohio. Highlights include the legal framework for labor relations; reasons that library support staff are attracted to unions; negotiating the contract with union and library management; and administering the collective bargaining agreement. (10…

A workshop held at the University of California at San Diego's research library focused on improving the quality of goal-based self-reviews as a training approach for performance management. Participants benefited from the mixed groupings of librarians and paraprofessionals and from the detailed look at individual goals and objectives. (three…

Reports on a survey that examined the perceptions of public library directors in North Carolina regarding the reasons their subordinates (i.e., nondirectors) participate in continuing education activities. Results are compared with those of an earlier survey of nondirectors that identified four motivational factors--professional competence, patron…

Offers suggestions for dealing with angry patrons in the library. Tips on diffusing the person's anger during the encounter are provided as well as short- and long-term suggestions for dealing with the library staffperson's feelings are included. Ways in which library administrators can assist their employees in dealing with angry patrons are also…

Discussion of the merger of separate library units focuses on examples from Indiana State University Libraries' recent merging of the interlibrary loan unit of the reference department with the circulation department to form a new lending services department. Factors to consider in the merging process are discussed, emphasizing staff needs. (seven…