Examines basis for and prospects of cooperative arrangements between research libraries and publishers and/or information processors to acquire the rights to contents of documents that research libraries seek to preserve, store contents of documents in digital form, and reproduce this information on demand and in various formats. Twelve references…

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…

This paper discusses the concept of information resources management using the library as touchstone; examines the academic environment and implications of changes for future academic librarianship; and suggests way of looking top-down at library/information school curriculum concentrating on three substantive components of education (theory,…

Performance evaluation used for both faculty and librarians for 2 years included rating of performance standards, professional achievement, and auxiliary services. After careful application to ensure equitability of the original and revised forms, faculty questioned the implications of emphasis on research and publication, achievement, salaries,…

Describes a study undertaken by San Jose State University of business-related ready reference searches done at that library. The results suggest that within certain restrictions of patron questions, librarian training, search cost, and the database, ready reference online searches can be the most cost effective approach to providing business…

This discussion focuses on the problems involved in the interpretation and verification of the data gathered and presented by the North American Collections Inventory Project. It suggests that the National Shelflist Count is a better resource for collection management and shared library resources decisions. (CLB)

Discussion of the trend of increasing journal prices includes an examination of possible reasons for such price increases and methods by which libraries may alleviate this trend through consumer awareness and competitive market techniques. (CLB)

Reports results of a survey of online catalog users in an academic library in Saudi Arabia that examined search patterns, levels of satisfaction, and user attitudes toward the online catalog. The special problems encountered when searching in a foreign language are discussed, and systems improvements are suggested. (CLB)

The first of two articles describes changes in computer technologies and user needs which affect the role of bibliographic utilities and discusses the need for cooperation between libraries and computing professionals. The second article discusses underlying strategies of library collection management in terms of quantitative and intuitive…

Describes a study that compared salaries of one and two year library masters program graduates over a 22 year period. Possible explanations for the results are suggested, and the viability of extended library masters programs is discussed. (CLB)