The objective of this study was to reveal how the national economic recession has affected the nature and extent of support for tenure track librarians at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions. The authors surveyed 43 ARL Deans and University Librarians to discover the criteria for achieving tenure and the current…

One hundred twenty five applications for an entry-level librarian position were examined to determine whether a search committee at one major Midwestern university library chose finalists based on form over substance, and whether candidates who met the required qualifications were advanced to the finalist pool. Methodology determined the number of…

A survey of tenure-track and tenured librarians at ARL libraries provides data on the relationship between parenthood and professorship. Results analyze the impact of the promotion and tenure process on child-bearing and child-rearing decisions. Discrepancies are found based on gender, tenure status, and family status.

This study examines academic and research librarian positions that require foreign language skills. Technical and public services are most likely to require language knowledge, while administrator and system librarian positions are the least likely. Overall, the requirements show a continued rise until the mid-1980s and a declining trend after…

"Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries" has long been an important tool for librarians making collection development decisions. This study examines the holdings and usage for books reviewed in "Choice," books designated by "Choice" as Outstanding Academic Titles, and the general collections of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries.

Contents of outreach position announcements posted in "College and Research Libraries News" from 1970 through 2004 were examined. Ads fell within three broad groups: distance education, multicultural services, and specialized. Overall, outreach positions have been on the rise with the exception of multicultural services librarian positions that…

Because of the serious and rapid deterioration of post-1850 books in the collections of major research libraries, it is vital for these libraries to add a conservation librarian to their staffs and to develop conservation departments. (Author)

A usability survey was conducted at the University of Mississippi Libraries as part of the ongoing assessment of the library and its services. By setting criteria to measure the success of the survey, librarians at UM were able to assess if the library home page successfully met the goals and mission statement of the library.

This paper examines the extent to which U.S. Association of Research Libraries (ARL) are providing services to their distance education library patrons, it reveals whether each U.S. ARL library has a designated librarian in charge of services to distance education students, and it presents the perceived challenges faced by distance education…

The author investigates issues faced by academic research libraries in providing virtual reference services to unaffiliated users. These libraries generally welcome visitors who use on-site collections and reference services, but are these altruistic policies feasible in a virtual environment? This paper reviews the use of virtual reference…

Presents an activity analysis of the tasks performed and the time expended by public service librarians at a research library. Data obtained with this tool are evalutated in terms of the differing viewpoints held by library and university administrators. (Author/RAA)

Future Geographic Information Systems (GIS) librarians face a number of challenges that other Library and Information Studies (LIS) graduates may not when preparing for a career in academic librarianship. This article discusses these challenges and offers suggestions to help entry-level GIS librarians begin successful and rewarding careers.

Describes a survey completed by 30 major Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries in November 1979 which was undertaken to identify the problems associated with the recruitment of middle- and upper-level research library managers. Five data tables accompany the text. (Author/JL)

Using a standard survey instrument, the Barrier Scales, the present study surveyed university librarians' perceptions of barriers to greater use of library and information research utilization in Seoul, Korea. The greatest barrier was that the implications of research for practice were unclear, followed by a lack of replication of the research,…

Discusses the changes in the social and economic environment that have pushed libraries into retreating from their traditional objective of preserving the cultural record, and suggests that the solution to this problem must be sought by means of national-level resource and cost-sharing programs. A 21-item reference list is included. (Author/JL)