Describes program of end user training designed to teach students rudiments of searching using Bibliographic Retrieval Service/After Dark. Results of participant responses to post-search questionnaire are reported, including suggestions of what to cover in basic training, problems of end users, and developing role of online searcher as consultant.…

This article describes background and study process used by a committee of librarians and library administrators at Cornell University that has, over the past few years, significantly changed the structure of the paraprofessional staff classification scheme. Job Review Committee recommendations and job titles by "family" (library aide,…

Discusses the importance of the social style of administrators in their interactions within the organization, with emphasis on efforts by subordinate administrators to influence their superiors, i.e., managing up. Four social styles are defined--amiable, analytical, driver, and expressive--and strategies for productive interactions between styles…

There is mounting concern about the adequacy of both preparatory and continuing professional education of academic librarians. The staff development cost model presented identifies cost categories, provides a method to break down costs per participant, and outlines a technique to compare the cost-effectiveness of different training methods. (CLB)

Reviews issues cited in "A Nation at Risk" and other studies calling for educational reform, and discusses the role of libraries in general, and academic libraries in particular, in improving education in the United States. Library programs at three universities, involving information literacy, research skills, and peer counseling, are described.…

Discusses the problem of differentiating librarianship from other information-related occupations. Several models used to define the concept of information are presented; and the relationships of information to knowledge, information science, library science, and the mission of the academic library are explored. (34 notes with references) (CLB)

Reports the results of a survey of 203 academic libraries that examined the employment status, utilization, and compensation of part-time librarians as compared to full-time staff. The effects of union membership, administrative satisfaction with this class of workers, and perceived problems with part-time staff are discussed. (CLB)

Describes a study that used multiple regression analysis to examine whether the apparent influence of sex discrimination on librarians' salaries would be reduced if other factors were considered. The effects of education, employment level, and publications on librarian salaries are discussed, and three approaches to achieving comparable worth are…

Identifies the four basic functions of library automation as circulation systems, online catalogs, acquisitions, and serial check-in, and compares the advantages and disadvantages of integrated library systems versus linked systems in terms of these functions. (3 notes with references) (CLB)

Describes a survey that examined the effects of increasing serial subscription costs on American and Canadian research libraries. Strategies adopted by libraries are described, including faculty and campus involvement, retrenchment, long range planning, and shared resources. Relationships with publishers and the possible impact of electronic…

Describes a study that compared the quality of reference services provided by reference librarians and paraprofessionals, using patron satisfaction as the measure of success. Factors associated with satisfactory service are identified, and suggestions for the effective use of paraprofessional staff are presented. (4 references) (CLB)

Reviews the historical development of adult and continuing education as provided through the Open University system of Great Britain. An interview with the librarian for Oxford's Department of External Studies examines the current status of the program and describes the library services available to participants. (8 references) (CLB)

Describes the Marquette University Interlibrary Loan Log, which is an online log of borrowing and lending requests. Applications of the interlibrary loan data for statistical reporting, management decision making, collection development, online enhancement, and copyright monitoring are discussed. (3 references) (CLB)

Describes a study that examined the attitudes of academic librarians toward disabled persons in relation to the librarian's sex, age, level of information about disabilities, and degree of contact with disabled persons. The impact of librarian attitudes on library services to disabled students is discussed. (12 references) (CLB)

Discusses the role of the academic library in the support of nontraditional students, and offers several suggestions for effectively reacquainting these students with the library and developing their research skills. (CLB)