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…

Sixteen scholarly papers and twenty abstracts comprise the content of the eighteenth annual Brick & Click Libraries Conference, held annually at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. The proceedings, authored by academic librarians and presented at the conference, portray the contemporary and future face of librarianship.…

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…

Describes the collection and services offered by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' Margaret Herrick Library. (CHC)

Twenty-one scholarly papers and fourteen abstracts comprise the content of the ninth annual "Brick and Click Libraries Symposium," held annually at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. The peer-reviewed proceedings, authored by academic librarians and presented at the symposium, portray the contemporary and future…

This discussion of the treatment of archives in Sri Lanka outlines their historical development and notes current activities, including records administration, storage considerations, conservation problems involving poor condition of records and use of microfilming, and education of the public to make use of archives. References are provided. (EJS)

A comprehensive questionnaire was sent to 49 African national archival agencies in April 1982 to survey the needs of African Member States for assistance in the development of archives. This study is based on the 27 (55%) questionnaires that were returned. The participating agencies were grouped into three categories: agencies located in…

This discussion of America's outstanding rare book libraries notes the inception of collections, library facilities, technical difficulties, reference services, publicity efforts, and research. The John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, Clark Library of the University of California, and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.…

Describes the value of defunct newspaper morgues, with a focus on the E. H. Butler Library at Buffalo State University (New York), and provides the historical background of two Buffalo newspapers. Discusses challenges facing the special collections librarian: storage facilities, requests for information by patrons from all over the world,…

Describes the historical development and current status of U.S. zoological libraries, based on information received from 78 libraries and 32 archive collections. Topics discussed include current library collections, management, and services; establishment of libraries; library staffing; library facilities; budgets; and users served by the…

Reviews the development of the Vatican Library from the papacy of Leo III (795-816) to the present. The current status of the library is described, including print and nonprint collections, acquisitions and major bequests, access to the collections, and programs and services offered to scholars. (CLB)

This history of the Library of the Deutsches Museum (Munich, Germany) covers the library's situation at end of the nineteenth century, library collections and buildings, use of the library for research, the rare book collection, and service statistics. Library director, collection and staff size, and main subjects collected are included. (EJS)

This paper describes some basic architectural choices for the access to and preservation of digital objects at the National Library of Norway. A digital repository is a core element for the handling of both access to and preservation of the digital objects. Strategies for giving access to the complete holdings include the use of a powerful search…

The revival of exhibitions has been occasioned in part by a wave of renovations taking place in libraries across the country. Exhibitions of library materials promote awareness and use of library collections and can serve as a "hook" to stimulate reading. Public response to library exhibition programs in major cities is enthusiastic. (SD)

The information mechanisms required by the National Institute of Education (NIE) are discussed. The first section of the paper treats these mechanisms in general terms, and deals with the three kinds of information considered essential to NIE's research library. The third portion of the proposal considers three alternatives available to NIE--a…