Based on information and documents gathered from 103 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries via an April 1986 ARL Recon Project questionnaire, and supplemented with additional interviews and materials gathered throughout the year, this publication focuses on retrospective conversion projects designed to support the implementation…

A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey investigated how libraries were training personnel for routine tasks. Of the 73 responding libraries, more than 75% (58) reported that manuals and procedural guides, along with on-the-job training, were the main methods of instruction for technical skills. Accordingly, this kit on skills…

A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey indicated that nearly all respondents viewed enhanced access to needed information and service capabilities as the primary benefit of resource sharing. Most responding libraries participated in more than one type of resource sharing activity, ranging from informal understandings among a few…

A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey showed that more than 80 member libraries had staff persons designated as personnel officers. In a series of in-depth interviews in the spring of 1978 with some of these personnel officers, the main factors contributing to changes in personnel functions were identified as: (1) a growing number…

Based on an October 1982 survey of 31 selected members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), this report presents library planning documents, general system descriptions and reviews, and examples of library specifications--all dealing with integrated library information systems (ILIS). An ILIS is defined as a fully interactive integrated…

Various aspects of the theme, "AccessAbility: Overcoming Information Barriers," are considered in the conference papers collected in this document. They include: (1) "The Library Image: A Barrier to Accessibility" (Janice S. Boyer); (2) "The Educationally Disadvantaged Student: How Can the Library Help?" (Michael Poma…

Discusses scale and character of changes brought about in interlibrary loan borrowing procedures through use of online searching and electronic messaging. Specific changes in University of British Columbia library and a survey of other Canadian university and public libraries (character of work, job classification, work assignments) are reported.…

Presents a conceptual model of the information activities of the research library of the future. The future boundary conditions that will affect the library are discussed, including premises about the university, the information industry, technological developments, and governmental priorities. Steps for turning the model into reality are…

Salary and related data is reported for 8,216 professional staff members in the 108 university Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, including law and medical libraries. Data, summarized in 42 tables, includes: filled positions; average, median, and beginning professional salaries; average years of professional experience;…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit is a collection of documents pertaining to collective bargaining in an academic environment. Three documents from the Academic Collective Bargaining Information Service are included: "Legal Principles of Public Sector Bargaining,""What's Actually in a Faculty Contract," and…

Based on analyses of 91 documents on fringe benefits received from member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in 1978, a concise summary presents observations and statistics on sabbatical leaves, insurance, retirement, education and campus-related benefits, trends, and needs. It is concluded that pressures for improving fringe…

In the spring of 1979, the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) conducted a survey to identify common practices, approaches, and problems related to communication in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. Survey responses were received from 75 of the 105 ARL libraries; the responses and statistical results are included in…

This meeting on the retrospective conversion (RECON) of music materials brought together 21 individuals to plan the integration and coordination of RECON activities within the context of the music library community. Major music societies and professional music groups were represented as were music faculty and composing communities. This document…

This report on a funded project that established a chemistry research information service for researchers in the University of Houston's chemistry department provides detailed descriptions of the three objectives of the project, together with an explanation of how each objective was/is to be accomplished. These objectives were/are: (1) to document…

A survey of Association of Research Libraries library members studied their use of temporary librarians, paraprofessionals, and clerical workers. This report of the findings covers advantages and disadvantages of temporary help, extent of their use, and wages and benefits. Recommendations for hiring, training, and evaluation of temporary staff are…