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)

This special section on local area networks includes three articles: (1) a description of migration at Joyner Library, East Carolina University (North Carolina) to a new network server; (2) a discussion of factors to consider for network planning in school libraries; and (3) a directory of companies supplying cable, hardware, software, and…

A focus group study of 29 Queens College/CUNY (City University of New York) undergraduates, born and educated outside the United States, determined that most described needs related to course work rather than language or culture. Participants commented on library hours, physical surroundings, research tools, personnel, collections, and copy…

The next decade in higher education will show a leveling and decline in enrollment accompanied by a significant shift from program expansion to program enrichment. Educators will face a challenge of trying to convince governors and legislators of the benefits of enrichment within the existing unclear economic picture where education must compete…

Describes an exchange program between academic libraries in Sichuan Province and Washington State University, and discusses the Chinese approach to academic librarianship in the areas of management and personnel, access and circulation, automation, reference services, collection development and censorship, and library facilities. (CLB)

Reports the results of a survey of liberal arts college libraries which focused on the collections, facilities, and personnel of science libraries. Responses from colleges with strong science programs (i.e., research colleges) are compared with data received from other liberal arts colleges. Four figures and one table are provided. (SD)

Klasing discusses the inability of school library facilities to meet current challenges for the delivery of programs and information. Callison then provides an overview of this issue on planning learning environments for school media centers, which contains four articles covering space requirements, ergonomic design, legislation on equal access,…

Summarizes federal legislation regarding equal access for students with disabilities and discusses environmental barriers to accessibility in the library media center. Solutions to these design problems are suggested in the following areas: material formats and space requirements; the physical setting, including furniture, floor coverings,…

Describes the planning process for designing a new library for Algoma University College (Ontario). Topics discussed include the building committee, library policy, design considerations, an electric system that supports computer technology, library automation, the online public access catalog (OPAC), furnishings and interior environment, and…

Discusses the changing environment of the academic library, highlighting the role of collection development librarians and listing issues for collection development officers: ownership/access, consortia, collections analysis, intellectual property/fair use, public relations, allocation formulas, library research, collection balance, rising costs,…

These nine articles discuss research and statistics on libraries and librarianship, including libraries in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; acquisition expenditures in public, academic, special, and government libraries; price indexes; state rankings of public library data; library buildings; expenditures in school library media centers; and…

To attempt to make learning American history an exciting experience, to sharpen study skills and self-directed learning and to familiarize students with library resources, an experimental sequence of two-week "independent miniunit programs" was established. Eight areas of American life were identified: sports, space and ocean,…

Discusses gradual emergence of reference service in today's liberal arts college libraries through a century of changes in the liberal arts curriculum, in teaching methods, faculty attitudes toward librarians, library facilities, and research tools. The relatively recent acceptance of reference service has obscured difficulties early proponents…

Describes academic libraries in Germany and how they have been influenced by restructuring and reforming the higher education system, changes in information technology and information industry, and effects of the German reunification process. Discusses library resources, including staff, buildings, and collections; catalogs; preservation; user…

Addresses issues in designing or enhancing a computerized training room for teaching end-users how to search online databases. These include environmental aesthetics and practical considerations such as lighting, sound, wiring, furniture, and equipment and software selection. How to design the room to suit multiple purposes and to accommodate…