The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is committed to bringing together museums and libraries across the country for conversations dedicated to developing a better understanding of the roles of libraries and museums as providers of public service to communities. The Future of Libraries and Museums in the 21st Century Planning…

Introductory materials for these proceedings list acknowledgements and roundtable participants, provide the roundtable agenda, and present both the roundtable goal--to improve the quality of community information services in California public libraries through the development of a plan and program focus for the California State Library--and four…

This manual is designed to serve as a textbook outlining sound library administrative practices or as an aid in policy development. The basics of good library services are described, and libraries are encouraged to choose services appropriate for their situation, plan for them, and measure their effectiveness. Ninety performance measures outline…

This policy statement is designed to provide guidelines that will ensure the maintenance and improvement of the collection and services of the Leon E. Bloch Law Library at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the period 1985 to 2000. The policy sets appropriate quality goals while simultaneously providing for flexibility in alternative…

Written to guide librarians and staff in all types of libraries, this manual describes steps in the processes of writing collection development statements and assessing library collections. The first section focuses on the collection development policy--the benefits of a written policy, who should write the statement, and elements to be included.…

Examines changes in emphasis on collection development and conservation in both library and archival materials in recent years, and outlines evaluative criteria and priorities to be used in formulating collection management policy. (CLB)

This book examines the ways in which children's librarians can manage their services so collections and programs reach the intended audience. In the introduction to this second edition, the author considers recent changes in demographics, economics, social patterns, media and technology trends, and consequent changing emphases in managing…

Several reference librarians respond to the Hernon and McClure study on the accuracy of library reference services. Highlights include problems with the methodology used (unobtrusive observation), and performance factors not addressed by the study. Comments by Hernon and McClure address these responses and ways to improve reference services are…

Intended for use by schools in studying their library programs and services, this needs assessment packet is designed to serve as an instrument for determining what exists as a program of services and to assist in setting direction for planned growth of an effective library program. The philosophy and services quoted in the document were derived…

Discussion of formulating a collection development policy for audiovisual materials in academic libraries highlights reasons for collecting media, audiovisual equipment, audiovisual forms collected, films, video, computer software. "Undergraduate Libraries Newsletter" statistics reporting audiovisual holdings (audiocassettes, films, video,…

Designed to assist individual public libraries in the development of policies and procedures, these guidelines include examples and/or samples of points that should be considered and addressed in a policy manual. Following a brief introduction, the guide is divided into four sections, each of which contains a set of general policy statements…

It has been observed that one historical role of the public library is serving the nation's youth. Current economic and social conditions have created the phenomenon of the "latchkey child"--the school-aged child who has no parent or guardian at home after school hours and has no alternative care arrangement. In light of this, this…

Intended for use by the head of reference and subject-area bibliographers at Penfield Library, this document provides guidelines for the selection and evaluation of titles for the 25,000 volume reference collection at this primarily undergraduate institution. The reference collection also supports the general information needs of both the college…

Outlines the stages in the decision-making process for libraries acquiring optical data disk systems, including the establishment of a project manager or task force, feasibility studies, creating a planning document, hardware and software evaluation, devising processes and policies, and analyzing contracts. (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…