Showing papers in "Technical Services Quarterly in 1996"

Strategic Planning for Academic Libraries

Abstract: As libraries prepare for the twenty-first century consideration must be given to the ever increasing demand for information retrieval. Libraries will be instrumental in the organization and archiving of future information. In order to be prepared for this responsibility planning is necessary. Strategic planning allows libraries to evaluate their role within the community they serve. Goals can be set based on community demands. Once established these goals can be used as guides for libraries as they organize, collect and disseminate information. This article looks at developing a strategic plan, how strategic plans are being used today and how they will apply to the library of the future.

Utilizing the Technical Services Staff on a Public Service Desk

Abstract: The Governors State University Library in Illinois has a strong commitment to providing service to students, faculty and community. In an effort to provide additional public service access points, the technical services staff is being utilized at a public service desk. This article presents the results of a survey concerning the technical services employees staffing a public services desk. The practice of utilizing technical services staff to serve at a public desk (in this case, a Serials/Documents Information Desk) may become more prevalent as other university libraries contend with increasing student enrollments and stagnant, or decreasing, library staff size. The participants in this survey also provide information about the negative and positive impact this is having on job performance and morale.

An Investigation of the Effects of Empowerment on Librarians' Attitudes Toward Their Jobs, Organizations and Careers

Abstract: Members of the Medical Library Association were surveyed by mail to assess attitudes about their jobs, organizations, and careers as they related to their feelings of empowerment. Analysis- of-variance results show that Hypothesis I was supported in that respondents higher in empowerment reported greater job satisfaction and weaker job withdrawal cognitions than those lower in empowerment. Hypothesis 2 was also supported as those higher in empowerment reported greater organizational commitment than those lower in empowerment. Finally, for Hypothesis 3, there were significant differences in the expected direction for career commitment and career satisfaction, but only partial support for career withdrawal intentions. Implications of the findings are discussed.

The Role and Function of the Shelflist in an Automated Library Environment

Abstract: This article examines the functions of a shelflist, how these functions are performed by individual libraries, and the role of automation in performing these functions. Criteria for evaluating the capability of an automated library system to perform functions in the areas of holdings, inventory, classification, and collection assessment are described. Three possible approaches to automated shelflist management are suggested, although a particular library's own requirements are acknowledged to be the primary element in deciding on shelflist management.

Training Paraprofessionals in Classification and Subject Analysis

Abstract: The role of the paraprofessional cataloger is changing as paraprofessionals become involved in areas of cataloging formerly reserved for professional librarians, including classification and subject analysis. Training is essential to the success of this evolution. This article describes a formal training project developed by catalog librarians at the University of Oregon to teach paraprofessionals to assign call numbers and subject headings to member copy in OCLC.

Masters of All We Survey

Abstract: Special Collections historically contain many small collections accessible only through local finding aids. Undertaking the cataloging and retrospective conversion of such collections requires planning and organization. This presentation outlines a survey of the collections and finding aids of the Special Collections Department at the University of Coiorado to determine the cataloging needs and priorities of the department. This project is proving useful not only in setting cataloging priorities and goals, but in outlining the structure of the department's collections, determining the collections' current and future space needs and facilitating migration onto a new automated system.

Management Issues and the Challenge for Cataloging Education

Abstract: Cataloging departments have faced enormous transitions during the last twenty years due to technological advances, changing administrative goals, and shrinking budgets. The role of the professional cataloger has expanded to include wider responsibilities for database management. New cataloging professionals will be expected to serve in supervisory and administrative capacities, yet previous research by the authors indicates that some entry-level catalogers felt unprepared for managerial responsibilities by their graduate education. Educators and practioners are asked to examine the need for potential cataloging managers and to consider changing library school curricula in an effective and realistic manner to support this trend.

Reducing Rates of Inflation

Abstract: The University of Arizona (UA) Library recently completed its second major serials cancellation project. This project, which took place over a two-year time period from 1992/93-1993/94, resulted in the cancellation of slightly over 1700 titles costing $683,829 and included many core titles. The methodology involved creating lists of titles with high inflation rates which faculty were asked to review and remove using a defined set of criteria. Using this approach, the UA Library was able to reduce the inflation rate of its serials from 10.4% to 4.8%.

The Service Philosophy of the Academic Library

Abstract: The Information Revolution has impacted the service philosophy of academic libraries; transformation has offered further opportunities for change in service. As the emphasis of academic librarianship moves away from collecting materials, the service philosophy will become a strong component of librarianship that is committed to access. Not only individual libraries, but all of academic librarianship, must transform. The service philosophy is the foundation of our future.

Moving from Closed to Open Current Periodicals Access

Abstract: Despite the current focus on electronic information, libraries are still responsible for managing physical access to large, in-house paper periodical collections. Consideration must be given to providing open or closed access to current periodicals. This paper describes the experience of the Auraria Library in making the decision to move from closed to open access for current periodicals.

Ethical Transformations in a Global Information Age

Abstract: In the global information age, ethics and ethical practices have become increasingly complex and ambiguous. What does such profuse and rapid technological change mean to society's ethical principles? In fact, how is "society" defined and understood in this increasingly global environment where technology bridges temporal and spatial boundaries? What are the ethical consequences of information'overload? These are underlying questions which must be extended to such institutions as the academic library in the face of structural transformation. This article enforces the idea that only in the face of ethical reevaluation is such structural transformation possible and indeed desirable.

Virtuality and the Future of the Printed Word: Challenges and Implications for Academic Libraries

Abstract: References to virtual libraries, virtual technology, virtual reality, and the "Information Superhighway" till technology and library journals, conference programs, and the popular press. Effective utilization of these new technologies poses a significant challenge to academic libraries. New strategies are required if we wish to move beyond automation and modernization, and truly transform the library and its services. While reengineering of organizational structures and processes must begin on a local level, transformation cannot occur in isolation. Collaboration and cooperation must reach beyond individual departments, libraries, and campuses, and include commercial as well as academic interests.

Freedom of the Press

Abstract: As the Internet becomes more accessible to a wider cross-section of the population, libraries, computer scientists, and the publishing industry are becoming more involved with the development of Internet services The university community is in a unique position to combine professionals from these three departments in a collaborative effort to look at trends in the use of the Internet, and to work together to create resources for those users In creating a partnership between the areas of Library Affairs, Information Technology and the University Press, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) brought together the varying views and expertise of each constituency to create a model for partnership in the development of scholarly resources using the World Wide Web as an access tool

Projections of Library and Information Workers in Kuwait in Its Post-War Development

Abstract: During the invasion of Kawait by Iraqi troops in August of 1990, the Libraries of the University of Kuwait and the public and school libraries were looted or destroyed. A study was conducted to acccss current and future needs in an effort to rebuild the infrastructure of Kuwait's libraries. The purpose, methodology, and findings are described here.

Help! Challenges of Creating Useful Online and Print Documentation in a Changing Electronic Environment

Abstract: The rapid evolution of online and printed help related to a sophisticated, expanding network of library databases at the University of Washington is the focus of this report. A team of public service librarians was formed to meet the challenge of providing content-specific help in multiple interfaces to a broad range of system users. The team has developed practical guidelines for the creation of online and print help. These guidelines are geared toward meeting future documentation challenges as the Libraries move toward new Web-based interfaces.

The Possible Birth of "Chinese OCLC"

Abstract: This article describes and reviews a significant activity in the course of Chinese library automation: centralized processing of technical services implemented in the academic libraries of the Beijing area. Two questionnaires were prepared and the survey was undertaken by the authors in the headquarters of the Beijing Library Cooperation and Information Consultation Inc. (BLCIC) and 25 selected participating libraries. Twenty-one libraries responded. Since its 1993 inception, this centralized processing has involved more than 50 libraries. As of summer 1995, over 200,000 volumes of books have been processed. The database created contains over 20,000 bibliographic records. An expanded plan that includes libraries in other provinces and establishes a national computerized technical service network has been proposed. The review includes a brief background on the processing, a description of its objectives and implementation, and a review of the progress of the processing, as well as successes and limitations...