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…

Using the results for participating Association of Research Libraries from the 2006 LibQUAL+[R] library service quality survey, we examine the service priorities of library staff (for example, whether desired scores for each survey item are above or below average) and the extent to which they are aligned with the priorities of undergraduates,…

Discusses and analyzes information on personnel, gate count, and hours of operation in ARL (Association of Research Libraries) academic science and technology libraries for 1992-93. Data are then compared to similar data taken from the survey of academic health-sciences libraries, and potential comparisons with other library surveys are briefly…

Information on the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) data survey is presented, along with a quantitative index for the university libraries of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Ten quantitative measures of holdings, expenditures, and staff size for the AAU libraries from the 1981-1982 annual ARL survey are converted to an index…

Compares the more positive library automation experiences of a small public library with those of a large research library. Topics addressed include collection size; computer size and the need for outside control of a data processing center; staff size; selection process for hardware and software; and accountability. (LRW)

Compares interlibrary loan data from a 1995 survey of Greater Midwest Research Library Consortium and Association of Research Libraries members with a 1989 survey. Shows an increase in transaction to staff ratio and a negative correlation between transaction to staff ratio and lending fill rate. Relates factors affecting productivity, such as…

Tables present 1993-94 data on the top 108 university and 11 nonuniversity research libraries in the United States and Canada, including numbers of volumes in the library, volumes added, number of current serials, permanent staff, and total dollar expenditures. A pie graph also illustrates operating expenditure proportions. (MSE)

The roles and responsibilities of the library systems officer continues to change as libraries move beyond the automation of library functions to offering resources in electronic formats and electronic access to information about collections beyond the walls of the home institution. This survey was designed to collect data and document some of the…

Offers a case study of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, library without depository status, which maintains a government documents collection through microfiche and subscriptions and compares it to depository libraries in terms of staff, shelving, binding, collection analysis, and quality of service. The future of electronic government…

Investigates costs and operations of back office activities of three middle-sized research libraries focusing on costs of labor and effects of automation. Measuring costs, labor compensation differences, differences in hours per volume, differences in organization, reduction of labor costs due to automation, and the quality dimension are…

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)

Seven articles discuss the competencies needed by library and information science school graduates. Surveys of needed competencies are compared, a model of the information activities of a research library of the future is proposed, staffing and educational requirements are discussed, and a need for new philosophies of user services is suggested.…

Explores the feasibility of a centralized, networked reference service in a library setting by comparing traditional reference services at the County of Los Angeles Public Library with a commercial inbound call center. Discusses costs and efficiency when librarians answer questions able to be handled by paraprofessionals. (Author/LRW)

The Improving Literacy through School Libraries (LSL) program was established under Title I, Part B, Subpart 4 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The purpose of the program is to improve the literacy skills and academic achievement of students by providing them with increased…

Categorizes library personnel into three groups by their functions--public services, technical services, and management--and reports the results of a study which compared levels of job satisfaction between these groups. Factors which correlate with job satisfaction or dissatisfaction are identified. (CLB)