Includes two articles from a German journal that focus on the content of dissertations from East German institutions of higher education that had been classified as secret prior to the unification of Germany. Highlights include legal background; levels of secrecy; release from classified status; and differences among graduate institutions. (LRW)

Discusses results of a survey that investigated cases of censorship involving a representative sampling of college and university libraries at two- and four-year state and private schools. Various categories of censorship, identification of problematic materials, and types of complainants are examined. (Author/LRW)

Discusses methods of selection for library materials being preserved, questions reliance on the collection-based approach to preserve brittle books for a nationally preserved collection, and argues for the development of a user-based strategy for the long-term preservation of circulating materials. (Author/LRW)

This study discusses the costs and benefits of vertical files and analyzes the results of a survey sent to 171 academic libraries that investigated vertical file practices. Topics include usefulness and user satisfaction; processing problems; access to vertical file material; and future possibilities. (Author/LRW)

Describes the results of a survey conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago that compared faculty use of, preferences for, and satisfaction with two software interfaces for the locally loaded ERIC database. Use of other local online databases was also examined. (Author/LRW)

A survey at the University at Albany (New York) on user satisfaction with reference services gathered information on behavioral characteristics of librarians: interest, confidence, friendliness, and enthusiasm, as well as on patron comfort and overall satisfaction. Analysis of the data (n=100) indicates that user satisfaction depends on more than…

In 1990, George Mason University (Virginia) proposed building a combined library/student center. Examines the processes, policies, and procedures used to develop a new library collection combining multiculturalism, diversity, and core texts. Discusses the collection development plan, strategies, and policy; faculty involvement; key series and sets…

A study of 1264 incidents of journal mutilation at New York University indicates no relationship between the availability of indexing and abstracting services on CD-ROM databases and mutilation. Recommends posting warnings; raising awareness; providing adequate photocopiers, change, and vendor card machines; announcing closing time; encouraging…

The university and its library are signs of advancement, yet they can also project an alien, elitist, and forbidden goal to minorities. Libraries should insure that collection policies reflect minority presence. Increasing staff diversity and developing the potential for minorities to excel within this key traditional symbol of the university…

This study compares libraries of 222 public historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with those of traditionally white public colleges in 18 states by analyzing number of volumes, staff, and salary totals. In general, HBCUs and non-HBCUs are equal in volumes per student; HBCUs are superior in library staffing, and non-HBCUs are ahead…

To investigate the status of African American male library administrators in academic and public libraries, 65 African American male administrators were identified and questioned about factors and problems related to professional advancement. Of 55 respondents, 49.9% identified race as a moderate to serious problem in professional advancement,…

Analyzes the level of publishing productivity of faculty at 94 institutions with membership in the Association of Research Libraries using three citation indexes for 1991-93. Ranks members by number and per capita publications and finds no significant relationship between publishing measures and other variables: volumes, materials and total…

Reviews research related to school effectiveness and how this research has been applied to various school improvement projects in the United Kingdom. Issues to be addressed include the possibility of creating a national database of student examination results and examining differences in effectiveness within schools, as well as between students…

Argues that the "new managerialism" approach to educational management in Scotland, with its emphasis on performance monitoring, diverts attention away from the core concerns of educational delivery and incurs significant bureaucratic costs. An alternative model, which is based on collegiality and democracy, focuses on professionalism, educational…

Compares the work of two advisory committees: the Sixth Scottish Advisory Council on Education which produced the 1947 report, "Secondary Education," and the Committee Appointed to Survey Secondary Education in New South Wales (Australia), which produced the "Wyndham Report" in 1957. Concludes that the committee's relationship to the government…