In this book, first published in 1989, practicing librarians share their hands-on experience with implementing various types of acquisitions systems and address planning considerations, the blurring of roles between acquisitions and cataloguing, staffing implications, electronic record transmission, and specialized functions of automated acquisitions systems. These librarians reveal what they wish they knew when they began to implement their systems, as well as what went right - and wrong - along the way. Acquisitions librarians, systems librarians, and any professionals planning for an automated acquisitions system in their libraries will not want the miss the underlying excitement expressed by contributors as they re-evaluate acquisitions work and redefine the role of the acquisitions librarian as a result of automated acquisitions systems.

This book, first published in 1986, is a comprehensive review of American library cooperative development programs at the regional, state-wide, interstate, and national levels. The distinguished contributors offer thoughtful assessments of the challenges of effectively implementing programs and analyse the successes and limitations of these programs.

This book, first published in 1990, reflects the partnership among those who create, produce, distribute, and manage serials information. Lively and informative, this volume addresses several highly important topics, including the process of scholarly communication, the differences among types of serials vendors and whether or not a library should consolidate orders with a single vendor, and organizational and institutional concerns about the current journal pricing crisis.

This book, first published in 1999, suggests proven, effective strategies to deal with a librarian's most pressing problems. One case study shows how Iowa State University turned a cutback in journals into a new vision of what the library should be, involving a broad-based committee in the project. Other chapters discuss the specifics of budgeting for the unpredictable pricing of electronic materials, the increased demands on library staff, and the challenges of maintaining dual libraries-the electronic and the paper-based-both facing expensive issues of preservation. Through case studies and first-hand experiences, it provides fresh analysis to guide the library into the electronic era.

This book, first published in 1991, deals with the demanding problems of smaller acquisitions budgets. In recent years librarians have seen their finances diminishing while the prices of serials and monographs have risen steadily. Now with major decisions having to be made concerning such things as automation, monograph collections, and subscription renewals, librarians are having to assume the role of business manager and dealer. This book takes an in-depth look at the situation and offers practical suggestions for working through the lean years. Strategies for getting the most for your money when dealing with vendors, selective collection development and maintenance, and making calculated decisions on how to divide the library's funds are just a few of the topics covered in this helpful new book.

This book, first published in 1987, is an essential volume for all library professionals responsible for acquisitions. It explores pricing from the publisher's, wholesaler's, and library's perspective. Experts reveal insightful information on vendors, approvals, acquisition costs, overseas monographic pricing, and much more.

This book, first published in 1996, analyses the most important and relevant collection development and networking issues facing the library community today. It explores the relationship between electronic resources, resource sharing, and collection development from the perspectives of librarians, vendors, and network administrators. It also presents ideas for saving precious budgetary dollars and improving collections by utilizing resource-sharing technology to provide library users with access to information.

This book, first published in 1993, is a key resource in beginning the task of re-thinking traditional methods of collection development and maintenance. The contributing authors to this volume provide thought-provoking chapters which touch on library, business, and societal issues as related to work as a library administrator. They advise on how to take a more economical approach to developing and maintaining a great collection - with a smaller budget.

This book, first published in 1996, explores the role of libraries in acquiring, storing, and disseminating information in different formats to make better use of technology in sharing scarce resources and connecting library users with collections. With an expressed goal of encouraging continued debate and further investigation, this book presents developing strategies and procedures to meet the challenges faced as a collection development librarian. Among the vital concerns addressed are the competition for limited resources, trends in document delivery, access vs. ownership, the evaluation of document delivery products, and libraries' options for the future.

This book, first published in 1990, examines in detail 12 serials departments, both large and small, that experts have selected as representative examples of notable serials departments. The departments have in common a general reputation in the serials field as being good operations, in the sense of providing optimum services to their users despite the challenges of current-day problems in financial planning and collection re-evaluation and shaping. The examples offered serve mainly to suggest what works well in the serials operation today. Despite the lack of space devoted to the good serials department or the often crisis-oriented approach to serials problems that is occasionally emphasized in the literature, the 'good serials operation' undeniably exists and always has. Certain serials departments receive the utmost praise from librarian colleagues and faculty/student users alike. This authoritative volume shows that good serials librarianship remains what it has always been - a means of providing serials and the information in them to an ever-widening audience of readers and researchers. Economic changes may alter the pattern of serials department services, but they do not alter the real and ultimate goals of the serials department.

This book, first published in 1986, contains the invaluable and enlightening perspectives of an international roster of experts on the state-of-the-art of serials librarianship and the indications for the future of the profession.

This book, first published in 2002, gathers some of America's top subject expert librarians to determine the most influential journals in their respective fields. 32 contributing authors reviewed journals from over twenty countries that have successfully shaped the evolution of their individual specialties worldwide. Their choices reflect the history of each discipline or profession, taking into account rivalries between universities, professional societies, for-profit and not-for-profit publishers, and even nation-states and international ideologies, in each journal's quest for reputational dominance. Each journal was judged using criteria such as longevity of publication, foresight in carving out its niche, ability to attract & sustain professional or academic affiliations, opinion leadership or agenda-setting power, and ongoing criticality to the study or practice of their field. The book presents wholly independent reviewers; none are in the employ of any publisher, but each is fully credentialed and well published, and many are award-winners. The authors guide college and professional school librarians on limited budgets via an exposition of their analytical and critical winnowing process in determining the classic resources for their faculty, students, and working professional clientele.

This book, first published in 2002, examines how the transition to electronic resources in academic libraries has impacted traditional collection development policies and practices. Nine acclaimed librarians present their perspectives on the growing trend toward digital materials acquisition that is tipping the scales in favour of 'access' in the 'ownership vs. access' debate. The book provides insights on the use of electronic resources in major research libraries from data collection by JSTOR, a leading provider of digital resources to academic libraries. A rich and diverse collection of theory, opinion, and observation, it offers a unique understanding of how libraries are meeting the challenge of reshaping their collection development programs with electronic resources-a process that is quickly gaining momentum. Contributors are divided in their beliefs on whether a balance is still possible between print materials and electronic resources in academic libraries.

This book, first published in 1987, brings together from a variety of sources analysis on the major issues involved in the collection of scientific journals. Working from the premise that scientists tend to know much more about their subject than about their journals, it examines the rationale for journal choices, journals and tenure, journals and budgeting, and the elements of a good journal. It shows librarians how to penetrate the internal structure of some imposing technical literatures in a way that can help them make responsible collection management decisions that even their science clientele will respect.

This book, first published in 1995, describes how automation is changing the face of acquisitions as librarians know it and making the future uncertain yet exciting. It documents how libraries have increasingly moved to powerful, second-generation interfaceable or integrated systems that can control all aspects of library operations. The libraries presented as examples show that increasing user expectations, the siren call of cyberspace and network connectivity, and administrative faith in the savings to be obtained from electronic technical services continue to drive the migration to higher-level library management systems.

This book, first published in 1992, establishes a theoretical base for access services while also suggesting connections between theory and practice. It provides fresh thinking that re-examines previous writings in this area, presents new experimental designs and results, creates contemporary organizational solutions, and adopts innovative techniques for increasing users' access to library materials within constrained budgets. Access services librarians, circulation department librarians, and library managers, especially those who are considering a reorganization that will include access services, will benefit from the philosophical and theoretical articles as well as practical advice on the design, delivery, and evaluation of responsive library services. Chapters in this invaluable book fill the gap in the literature about access services including theoretical descriptions of access services, current developing trends in access services, the historical development of the access services concept, practical studies related to common access services issues, and projections of future challenges.

Collection Care: An Illustrated Handbook for the Care and Handling of Cultural Objects provides a solid overview of basic collection care procedures and policies. The topics covered address the decision making criteria and risk assessment solutions involved in the best practices for handling art and artifacts. Technical subjects will cover proven techniques, materials, equipment and address problem solving assessment and current solutions. The comprehensive overview of staff responsibilities, relationships, and training will bring the book to a conclusion of addressing the unison of all professionals responsible for proper handling and caring for collections. Highlights include: *This book provides both visual and narrative descriptions of current best practices for caring for collection objects. *Emphasis is placed on risk assessment in the decision-making process with proven, accepted technical methods and materials. *Detailed coverage of technical methods and methodologies for principles of proper handling, transport, and storage or two and three dimensional objects. *Chapters will cover the institutional structure for managing, hiring, training both full and part time staff responsible for safely handling and caring of collection objects. *100 photographs, figures, and charts provide overall directions for collection care, preventive maintenance, and proper handling of objects.

About 40 percent of the books academic libraries purchase in traditional ways never circulate and another 40 percent circulate fewer than three times. By contrast, patron-driven acquisition allows a library to borrow or buy books only when a patron needs them. In a typical workflow, the library imports bibliographic records into its catalogue at no cost. When a patron finds a patron-driven record in the course of research, a short-term loan can allow him to borrow the book, and the transaction charge to the library will be a small percentage of the list price. Typically, a library will automatically buy a book on a third or fourth use. The contributions in this volume, written by experts, describe the genesis and brief history of patron-driven acquisitions, its current status, and its promise.

This enlightening new book in the Practical Guides for Librarians series presents the practicalities of developing, implementing, and evaluating use-driven acquisition (UDA) in academic and special libraries, from the multi-dimensional perspectives of collections, acquisitions, and e-resources. Now that UDA is a proven method of collection management being utilized by an array of libraries around the globe, the need for a straightforward, uncomplicated guidebook is more essential than ever. This book is both a reference source and a guide for current and future librarians. In addition to chapters highlighting e-book, print, and article-level UDA plans, the book will also include considerations for budgeting, interlibrary loan, consortia UDA, ongoing management and assessment strategies, and stimulating future trends. Of special interest are project management cycles detailing each phase and steps of implementing UDA plans, and relevant case studies involving librarians and vendors who have established UDA plans in libraries of various types and sizes. This book provides a practical methodology for setting up use-driven acquisitions plans to acquire access to print and e-books for users in academic and special libraries. Every chapter covers important collection development and budgeting objectives of the library, and proposes methods to assess cost and usage of the content received to determine effectiveness and potential modifications to UDA plans. Practical features that can be used in day-to-day operations include: * Project management lifecycle with phases and steps for successful implementation * Sample reports and executive summaries for administrators * Marketing and branding strategies * Step-by-step checklists * Assessment tools and examples * Multiple case studies of various types of libraries, including budgets and current UDA policies * Evaluative survey questions * Interview transcripts * Glossary of terms and acronym explanations

Today's libraries are taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies such as flat panel displays using touch, sound, and hands-free motions to design amazing exhibits using everything from simple computer hardware to advanced technologies such as the Microsoft Kinect. Libraries of all types are striving to add new interactive experiences for their patrons through exciting digital exhibits, both online and off. Digital Collections and Exhibits takes away the mystery of designing stunning digital exhibits to spotlight library treasures by walking the reader through implementation projects that are sure to astound and impress. This collection of easy-to-follow instructions will give readers the knowledge and confidence to create and design their very own extraordinary digital exhibits. Readers will learn: *How to Create a Digital Exhibit Using Omeka.net *How to Create a Hands-Free Digital Exhibit Showcase with Microsoft Kinect *How to Create a Digital Exhibit Using Open Exhibits *How to Create 3D Objects and Add them to Online Exhibits

Today's libraries are taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies such as flat panel displays using touch, sound, and hands-free motions to design amazing exhibits using everything from simple computer hardware to advanced technologies such as the Microsoft Kinect. Libraries of all types are striving to add new interactive experiences for their patrons through exciting digital exhibits, both online and off. Digital Collections and Exhibits takes away the mystery of designing stunning digital exhibits to spotlight library treasures by walking the reader through implementation projects that are sure to astound and impress. This collection of easy-to-follow instructions will give readers the knowledge and confidence to create and design their very own extraordinary digital exhibits. Readers will learn: *How to Create a Digital Exhibit Using Omeka.net *How to Create a Hands-Free Digital Exhibit Showcase with Microsoft Kinect *How to Create a Digital Exhibit Using Open Exhibits *How to Create 3D Objects and Add them to Online Exhibits

Serials represent the single most important vehicle for global scholarly communication. Thanks to rising subscription costs and volatile publishing patterns, their acquisition and management present substantial challenges to librarians, particularly in developing countries without a national bibliographic agency or widespread library education.

Geared toward non-specialists and beginners, this handbook presents the best practice methods in all areas of serials management: definitions, acquisition, bibliographic control, conservation and preservation, access, standards, and education and training.

The text concentrates on aspects that can be performed in a non-automated environment with a concluding chapter devoted to paths of future development, including small-scale automation and the use of CD-ROM. A final series of seven annexes provide model forms, rules and standards, listings of relevant international bodies, and other resources to assist librarians in their daily work. (IFLA Publication. Vol. 77)

In today's healthcare environment, lay people are increasingly anxious to play a more involved role in decisions that affect their well being. They actively seek medical and health information in libraries, bookstores, and on the Internet. Such high demand has left many public librarians struggling to meet their clients' needs, even as large numbers of new publications are becoming available. This book addresses the issues involved in developing a CHI collection in public libraries, with particular attention to the needs and behaviors of its target clientele.

Asian populations are among some of the fastest growing cultural groups in the US. While books on serving other target groups in libraries have been published (e.g., disabled, Latino, seniors, etc.), no book on serving library users of Asian heritage has yet been written. Thus the timely need for this book. Rather than a generalized overview of Asians as a whole, this book has 24 separate chapters-each on 24 specific Asian countries/cultures of East, Southeast, and South Asia-with a wealth of resources for understanding, interacting with, outreaching to, and serving library users of each culture. Resources include cultural guides (both print and online), language helps (with sample library vocabulary), Asian booksellers, nationwide cultural groups, professional literature, and more. Resources and suggestions are given for all three types of libraries-public, school, and academic-making this book valuable for all librarians. The demographics of each Asian culture (numbers and distribution)-plus history of immigration and international student enrollment-is also featured. As a bonus, each chapter spotlights a US public, school, and academic library providing model outreach to Asian library users. Additionally, this book provides a detailed description and analysis of libraries in each of the 24 Asian countries. The history, development, facilities, conditions, technology, classification systems, and more-of public, school, and academic libraries-are all discussed, with detailed documentation. Country conditions influencing libraries and library use are also described: literacy levels, reading cultures, languages and writing systems, educational systems, and more. Based on the author's 15 years of research and travels to Asia, this work is a must-have for all librarians.

Requests for the removal, relocation, and restriction of books-also known as challenges-occur with some frequency in the United States. Book Banning in 21st-Century American Libraries, based on thirteen contemporary book challenge cases in schools and public libraries across the United States argues that understanding contemporary reading practices, especially interpretive strategies, is vital to understanding why people attempt to censor books in schools and public libraries. Previous research on censorship tends to focus on legal frameworks centered on Supreme Court cases, historical case studies, and bibliographies of texts that are targeted for removal or relocation and is often concerned with how censorship occurs. The current project, on the other hand, is focused on the why of censorship and posits that many censorship behaviors and practices, such as challenging books, are intimately tied to the how one understands the practice of reading and its effects on character development and behavior. It discusses reading as a social practice that has changed over time and encompasses different physical modalities and interpretive strategies. In order to understand why people challenge books, it presents a model of how the practice of reading is understood by challengers including "what it means" to read a text, and especially how one constructs the idea of "appropriate" reading materials. The book is based on three different kinds sources. The first consists of documents including requests for reconsideration and letters, obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests to governing bodies, produced in the course of challenge cases. Recordings of book challenge public hearings constitute the second source of data. Finally, the third source of data is interviews with challengers themselves. The book offers a model of the reading practices of challengers. It demonstrates that challengers are particularly influenced by what might be called a literal "common sense" orientation to text wherein there is little room for polysemic interpretation (multiple meanings for text). That is, the meaning of texts is always clear and there is only one avenue for interpretation. This common sense interpretive strategy is coupled with what Cathy Davidson calls "undisciplined imagination" wherein the reader is unable to maintain distance between the events in a text and his or her own response. These reading practices broaden our understanding of why people attempt to censor books in public institutions.