There's a lot of focus on the "Next Gen" librarians out there bringing a youth perspective that's supposed to shake things up and introducing new ideas and practices into a profession that sometimes moves forward at a glacial pace. But the ideas of the new generation do not invalidate the work done by those who came before. In fact, change in…

Late last year, Ohio State University (OSU) library director Joseph Branin graciously invited this author to visit for an up-close look at the William Oxley Thompson library renovation and construction project underway on his campus. He eagerly accepted. Since 2001, when he first began reporting on the project, he has been amazed by the plan, its…

Since Google announced its initiative to digitize all, or major portions, of the book collections in select research libraries, the author of this article has struggled to figure out what to think of it. This article briefly shares the authors' opinions and thoughts on Googles new initiative.

Indicates the trials the student of history faces when trying to exploit the resources of archives and research libraries, both in the USA and abroad. (VT)

A response to the editorial "Pitt and the Pendulum" by John Berry, an article concerned with the problems of research libraries in this time of change and uncertainty. (Author/KP)

A reasonable solution to the related phenomena of less than adequate security and concommitant user dissatisfaction is a totally noncirculating academic research library. (Author/SJ)

After entering as a "bit player" among feudal lords, she became an honored, celebrated campus leader. Building and repositioning the library, Susan Nutter brought it from what one senior professor called "an embarrassment" to its current role and site, a central force and place in the academic enterprise at North Carolina State…

By eliminating little-used books and buying multiple copies of popular titles, the usefulness of an academic library could be almost doubled without any need for increased space. (PF)

A proposal for raising the reference quotient in large research libraries through instant classification is presented. (Author)

Discusses the historical foundations of memory and knowledge systems in sixteenth-century Europe and offers insights into the current situation and where our knowledge systems are bound. The development of hypersystems and a new approach to research librarianship are considered. (13 references) (MES)

In 2003, during the Biennial migration of academic librarians to the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) conference, several of the programs in Charlotte, NC, discussed the recruitment and retention of the next generation but with an obvious lack of input from newly recruited librarians. In response, with Liza Posas, a library…

Makes a case for an in-house minor repairs workshop to treat circulating materials of a small research library. Preservation methods, materials, and training are discussed, and useful reference sources are mentioned. (JD)

The holy grail for many research librarians is one-stop searching: seamless access to all the library's resources on a topic, regardless of the source. Miriam Blake, Library Without Walls Project Leader at Los Alamos National laboratory (LANL), is making this vision a reality. Blake is part of a growing cadre of experts: a techie who is becoming a…

Tells why a redefinition of quality library service in academic institutions is in order. (Author/PF)

Three major difficulties in establishing effective cooperative conservation programs are: (1) the problem of allocation of responsibilities for preserving individual items; (2) the lack of people adequately trained in physical preservation; and (3) the need for a national initiative in preservation. (PF)