It has become widely recognised across the academic and research libraries sector that special collections and archives play a key role in differentiating each institution from its peers. In recognition of this, Research Libraries UK (RLUK) established the workstrand "Unique and Distinctive Collections" (UDC) in support of its strategic…

The current ARL report summarizes a multi-year effort that captures evidence in the form of narrative profiles as it delivers the message of the value and contributions of research libraries during transformative times. When ARL library directors were interviewed in 2005 and asked to describe a research library in the 21st century, there was…

Some academic libraries have adopted the idea of the information commons, a central location providing computers, information resources in various formats, and staff assistance. An overview of several information commons in the United States and Canada is presented, and missions, features, strengths and weaknesses are explored. A table identifies…

This fact book, compiled to fill the need of practicing librarians and researchers for recent data on public libraries, contains statistics concerning or relevant to the U.S. public library system. Data on all aspects of American public libraries are summarized from such sources as annual reports, journal articles, surveys, books, doctoral theses,…

Describes a colloquium on library service to children in the Soviet Union which was attended by a delegation of U.S. librarians. Distinctive features of Soviet library service are described, as well as practices shared by both countries. The colloquium recommendations for future projects are listed, and papers presented by Soviet librarians are…

These brief reports prepared by the National Center for Educational Statistics precedes by several months the publication of the comprehensive results of a 1974 survey of 1,460 libraries in 50 states. The tables for college and university libraries include data on operating expenditures and numbers of staff for each state and for the entire United…

Describes a visit by American children's librarians to the Soviet Union for a formal colloquium on children's library services. The Soviet attitude toward children as reflected in the quality of facilities, services, and research is discussed, and the benefits of such cultural exchanges are stressed. (CLB)

This SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) Kit and Flyer reports results of a survey conducted in January 1999 that examined how ARL (Association of Research Libraries) member libraries assure the safety and security of persons, library materials, physical facilities, furnishings, computer equipment, etc. Forty-five of the 122 ARL member…

Presents data on the construction and renovation of academic and public libraries and two-year college learning resource centers for 1980-81. Information collected by this annual survey includes costs, area and capacity, and names of architects. Multiyear comparisons, data on Canadian public libraries, and a directory of architects are included.…

Papers on library buildings and equipment, which were presented at the 1983 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference, include: (1) "The Impact of Technology on Library Buildings," in which Rolf Fuhlrott (West Germany) discusses construction technology (types of building materials and library building design),…

Provides an introduction to "From the Top: Profiles of U.S. and Canadian Corporate Libraries and Information Centers," a compilation of profiles of selected North American corporations. Areas covered in the profiles include professional profiles of library administrators, history, physical facilities, staff size, user populations,…

Very little has been written about Bible college libraries in the United States, even though they have been in existence since the early 1880s. This study presents the history of Cincinnati Bible College Library, tracing its development from its inception in 1928 over the years and showing how it has followed the mission statement of its parent…

Papers on library buildings and equipment which were presented at the 1986 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference include: (1) "Changes in Library Buildings" (H. Faulkner-Brown, United Kingdom), which defines a desirable library building as being flexible, compact, accessible, extendable, varied, organized,…

This report of an Australian overseas study tour to the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and Canada reviews developments and practices as of December 1980 in educational communications and technology, the management and utilization of learning resource centers (LRC's) and independent study programs in postsecondary education, and…

Includes seven articles that discuss research on libraries; numbers of libraries in the United States and Canada; library acquisition expenditures; price indexes for academic and school libraries; expenditures in school library media centers; state rankings of public library data; and library building construction. (LRW)