Today's rapidly evolving information-based society demands that public libraries implement planned, proactive, and innovative change to meet patron needs. Rapid, widespread, and substantive change and innovation in public librarianship depends on the ability of public librarians to share in the exchange of new ideas, regardless of the size of their communities. This book explores how managerial innovations are generated and disseminated among public librarians.

To examine how new ideas are created and spread among public librarians, the volume focuses on the case of the dissemination of a particular innovation, a set of techniques developed and promoted by a national professional association, which allows public librarians to engage in user-oriented planning, community-specific role setting, and self-evaluation of library performance. This case study is placed within a larger context of classical models of the diffusion process and the literature on organizational change and innovation. Drawing on her findings, the author offers suggestions to facilitate public library change.

Meeting the Needs of Student Users in Academic Libraries surveys and evaluates the current practice of learning commons and research services within the academic library community in order to determine if these learning spaces are functioning as intended. To evaluate their findings, the authors examine the measurement tools that libraries have used to evaluate usage and satisfaction, including contemporary anthropological studies that provide a more detailed view of the student s approach to research. The book takes a candid look at these redesigns and asks if improvements have lived up to expectations of increased service and user satisfaction. Are librarians using these findings to inform the evolution and implementation of new service models, or have they simply put a new shade of lipstick on the pig?
Takes an honest look at learning commons in academic libraries and discusses what is working and what is notExplores behind the statistics as to why users come to the library; does the librarians concept of the library as place match user perception?Looks at the anthropology of the user to gauge satisfaction with the services and space provided by the library via recent survey findings"

Strategic to the study of popular evangelical movements, this volume provides a thorough description of the holdings of one of the major evangelical resource centers in the United States. The Billy Graham Center, with its focus on efforts by Evangelicals around the world to spread the Christian Gospel, with a special emphasis on North America, has developed a superb array of sources to document this vigorous yet largely uncharted aspect of modern Christianity. The special strengths of the Graham Center's Library, Museum, and Archives are documented here. Books, magazines, photographs, paintings, artifacts, diaries, letters, and files of Christian organizations are among the types of sources described. Two appendices, comprising 20 percent of this volume, give detailed summaries of holdings in 161 other archives and libraries throughout the United States. Also included are 61 photographs of artifacts and documents from the Graham Center. This guide includes three main chapters on the Library, Museum, and Archives of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College. Chapters on the collections of the Library and Museum discuss their thematic strengths, featured holdings, and services. A lengthy chapter on the Archives provides an overview, an annotated catalog of its more than 525 collections, and a list of subjects treated in each collection. Two appendices provide extensive descriptions of other archival and library collections around the country. A comprehensive index of subjects and names quickly helps researchers determine what the Graham Center and other North American research centers offer. The user can enjoy a general overview or receive direct information on a specific topic. This volume is designed for the varied interests of pastor, missionary, scholar, journalist, or interested layperson.

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? These questions reveal the incessant quest of Japanese librarians to define their profession. This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of libraries and librarianship in Japan. The volume traces the developments of traditional and modern libraries and describes what they have become in modern times.

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? More than ever before, Japan is aware of its potential for shaping the global library and information scene. The Japanese are responding to the current flood of information with new media technologies and improved database services with a synergistic approach that involves library professionals, information specialists, governmental leaders, corporate and industry planners, and information consumers.

This reference work traces the development of traditional and modern libraries and librarianship in Japan and describes what they have become in modern times. The book begins with a retrospective glance at the cultural and literary circumstances surrounding the development of language, writing, paper, books, and other activities which fostered early library activity. The chapters that follow provide detailed information on the evolution of particular types of libraries. Attention is also given to special topics, such as computers in libraries, the education of librarians, and professional organizations. An extensive bibliography of English and Japanese sources concludes the work.

Provide your mystery fans with background information on their favorite writers and series characters, and use this as a guide for adding contemporary titles to your collections. This book examines 100 of today's top mystery novels and mystery authors hailing from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, and Australia. Equally valuable to students writing research papers, readers craving new authors or more information about their favorite authors, and teachers seeking specific types of fiction to support curricula, 100 Most Popular Contemporary Mystery Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies provides revealing information about today's best mysteries and authors-without any "spoilers." Each of the accomplished writers included in this guide has established a broad audience and is recognized for work that is imaginative and innovative. The rising stars of 21st century mystery will also be included, as will authors who have won the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award. Provides interesting and informative profiles of 100 popular, contemporary mystery and crime writers as well as overviews of their series characters Contains over 60 author photographs A bibliography lists information on each author's works as well as supporting source materials for the profiles

LONGLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWN A SUNDAY TIMES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 'Timely ... a long and engrossing survey of the library' FT 'A sweeping, absorbing history, deeply researched' Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the Books Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes or filled with bean bags and children's drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied and stuffed full of incident. In this, the first major history of its kind, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. Along the way, they introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world's great collections, trace the rise and fall of fashions and tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanours committed in pursuit of rare and valuable manuscripts.

In a networked and globalized world of information the form of national bibliographies may have changed, however their major function remains unchanged: to inform about a country s publication landscape, its cultural and intellectual heritage. Subject access offers a major route into this landscape providing information about the dispersion of publications in specific fields of knowledge and topics contained in a particular national publishing output. The Guidelines for Subject Access in National Bibliographies give graded recommendations concerning subject indexing policies for national bibliographic agencies and illustrating various policies by providing best practice examples."

Are academic branch libraries going to be extinct in the near future? In these difficult economic times, when collections are digitized rapidly, is there still a need for a separate unit within proximity to the department, school, or college with a subject-based or subject-specific collection? Academic Branch Libraries in Changing Times gives a brief historical overview of the role of a branch academic library. It reviews the current situation from a practitioner s point of view and suggests solutions for the future.
Provides practical and realistic solutions to academic libraries that they can execute in their daily operating cycleCovers a variety of issues from staffing and public services, through to collections and bibliographic instructionPresents a clear analysis of the current situation and suggestions for the future"

This book offers a completely new approach to the measurement of academic library effectiveness. Based on a significant empirical investigation, it contradicts established practices such as the measurement of outputs as indicators of effectiveness and the tendency to focus the evaluation of library effectiveness on the success of isolated activities. The book also explores in detail the fundamental inadequacy of library-based bibliographic instruction and information-seeking skills development. It argues that a student learns in order to become information literate and does not become information literate in order to learn. In so doing, it challenges much of the accepted wisdom in libraries and information technology.

The proliferation of online access to social science statistical and numeric data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau s American Fact Finder, has lead to an increased interest in supporting these sources in academic libraries. Many large libraries have been able to devote staff to data services for years, and recently smaller academic libraries have recognized the need to provide numeric data services and support. This guidebook serves as a primer to developing and supporting social science statistical and numerical data sources in the academic library. It provides strategies for the establishment of data services and offers short descriptions of the essential sources of free and commercial social science statistical and numeric data. Finally, it discusses the future of numeric data services, including the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the use of Web 2.0 tools to visualize data.
Written for a general reference audience with little knowledge of data services and sources who would like to incorporate support into their general reference practiceCombines information on establishing data services with an introduction to available statistical and numeric data sourcesProvides insight into the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the social science research process"

Gerard McCabe's Operations Handbook for the Small Academic Library fills a real need. It should be of substantial benefit to many librarians working in such settings. The editor has done a good job of identifying the issues, finding a range of skilled practitioners to write intelligently and succinctly about those issues, and arranging and presenting the material in a straightforward fashion. . . . The information and advice is consistently sound and reliable, which makes this a text that can be recommended as a solid manual for those responsible for the management of small academic libraries. Wilson Library Bulletin Designed as a companion volume to The Smaller Academic Library: A Management Handbook (Greenwood Press, 1988), this book outlines specific suggestions for the efficient day-to-day operation of the small institution that has limited resources yet often must serve a broad cross section of academic and community interests. Written by experienced library management specialists, it is intended for library staffs at all levels as well as other readers who have an interest in libraries and their operation. Administrative functions, including cost data presentation and the use of bibliographic networks, are examined in the first several chapters. The authors next look at personnel issues and present guidelines on the design of jobs, recruitment and selection of librarians, staff training, and the employment of student workers. Circulation, the interlibrary loan, and off-campus library services are discussed in detail, and practical advice is given on the selection and utilization of technical services. A section on technology shows how to integrate new services and technoloy in the smaller institution and provides information on microcomputers, software, CD-ROM, and electronic book ordering. Other topics considered are the material selection process, periodical acquisition and budget control, the selection of monographs, and issues in library facility planning, such as interior design, furniture selection, and the utilization of space. The volume concludes with a bibliographic essay. Clear and readable, this book offers a systematic approach to revitalizing the diverse services, functions, and daily routines that make up the operation of the small academic library.

Academic librarians and university instructors worldwide are grappling with an increasing incidence of student plagiarism. Recent publications urge educators to prevent plagiarism by teaching students about the issue, and some have advocated the value of a subject-specific approach to plagiarism prevention education. There is, however, a complete lack of resources and guidance for librarians and instructors who want to adopt this approach in their teaching. This book opens with a brief overview of plagiarism today, followed by arguments in favour of a subject-based approach. The rest of the book is divided into academic subject areas and features an overview of the major issues in that subject area, followed by a high profile and engaging case within the discipline.
Subject-based approach to highlight the differing issues and conventions of various disciplinesReal-life cases to capture student attention and illustrate the implications of plagiarism in academia and beyondDiscussion questions to ensure an active and engaging student learning experience

Public librarianship is a constantly changing field, and the direction of its development depends on theoretical and applied research. This book examines many of the research needs in public librarianship and discusses appropriate strategies to meet those needs. The chapters, written by active researchers in the public library field, reflect a variety of issues and opinions. Included are chapters on the evaluation of collections, community awareness of the library as an information source, models for library siting, and communication between librarians and public library educators. Recommendations for further investigations provided by the researchers identify possibilities for increasing knowledge in this field, and a bibliographic essay organizes and summarizes much of the work discussed in the text.

How do library professionals talk about and refer to library users, and how is this significant? In recent decades, the library profession has conceived of users in at least five different ways, viewing them alternatively as citizens, clients, customers, guests, or partners. This book argues that these user metaphors crucially inform librarians' interactions with the public, and, by extension, determine the quality and content of the services received. The ultimate aim of this book is to provide library professionals with insights and tools for avoiding common pitfalls associated with false or professionally inadequate conceptions of library users.

Pungitore's timely and important exploration of many of the critical issues affecting public libraries renders a significant service to public library decision makers. By exploring current national trends and views of advocates and detractors concerning the various issues discussed, the author provides assistance to public librarians who, faced with `dilemmas created by social, cultural, economic, and technological change' must make many `difficult choices that often involve compromise and accommodation'. . . . In addition to assisting public librarians and board members, themany issues addressed in this very worthy and much-needed work provide an introduction to numerous term paper and discussion topics for our public librarians of the future. Library Quarterly Although the various models of public library management that have been advocated are undoubtedly useful, Pungitore argues that reliance on any single model as the best approach to running a library fails to take account of the diversity and individual character of these institutions. Her book suggests a basis for assessing the suitability of different options to specific situations. Presenting an impartial survey of current trends and issues in the field, this book focuses on the central challenge facing today's public library: how to survive and grow in an environment shaped by continuing social, economic, and technological change. In addition to topics directly associated with changing conditions, Pungitore covers philosophical, administrative and service-related issues. In addition to topics directly associated with changing conditions, Pungitore covers philosophical, administrative, and service-related issues, devoting several chapters to each area. Each chapter summarizes a specific topic and discusses differing viewpoints and side issues relating to it. Aspects of public librarianship addressed include historical foundations; the fundamental mission of the public library; and institutional planning, organization, and governance. Pungitore explores problematic and controversial issues such as how public libraries should be funded, what services should be provided and to whom and by what means, and how libraries need to change in order to survive and continue to fill their functions in the community. Developed as an introduction to the major concerns of public librarians and administrators, this work offers library science students a thoughtful and balanced overview of the field.

With a focus on the successful management of the school library media center as a system, the new edition of this authoritative work addresses and integrates the many trends and developments of the past decade. Contents are divided into three parts. Part 1 describes the impact of global forces and the school district on the development and operation of the media center. It also has a new section that deals with the technical and human side of management and a discussion of how the library functions as an information superhighway. Part 2 examines the library's programmatic activities within the context of its goals. Supportive services offered by the SLMC to students and teachers include guidance and consultant services, instruction and in-service, media production, and curriculum development and improvement. In Part 3 the authors address the nature, quality, and quantity of resources available to support programmatic endeavors-personnel, media, technology, facilities, and funds. The ability to acces

The only comprehensive treatment of American library architecture, this work details the evolution of the modern public library from 1850 to the present. Donald E. Oehlerts provides a broad, historical perspective of the field of library architecture, examining the influences on the professions of public architecture and librarianship that shaped America's library buildings. Oehlerts examines the planning and construction of the largest public library buildings from 1850 through 1989, presenting the contributions that architects, librarians, and others have made to improvements in design and arrangement. He also explores the development of public architecture and librarianship to determine the sources of influence on these two emerging professions in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This work, which features illustrations of several important buildings, is valuable to professionals, students, and scholars of architecture and library management and facilities.

Librarians must know how to provide essential programs and services that make a difference for the people they serve if libraries are going to survive. It is no longer realistic for librarians to rely on the idea that "people love libraries, so they will fund them" in this economic climate. Librarians must be able to prove that their programs and services are making a difference if they want to compete for funding in their municipalities, schools, corporations, colleges, institutions and organizations. Meeting Community Needs: A Practical Guide for Librarians presents a process that librarians of all kinds can use to provide effective programs and services. This requires being in close touch with your community, whether it is a city, town, or village; college or university; public or private school; or corporation, hospital, or business. Understanding what information people need, how they access it, how they use it, how it benefits them, and how they share it is paramount. The process in this book covers community assessment, designing programs and services to meet needs, implementing and evaluating programs and services, and funding options. Providing library programs and services for your entire population - not just library users - is more important than ever. Librarians working in libraries of all types must provide programs and services that meet community needs if libraries are to stay relevant and survive in the long run. Librarians must be able to measure their success and demonstrate the library's worth with verifiable proof if they are going to be competitive for available funds in the future. Meeting Community Needs will make you take a serious look at how well your library programs and services are meeting your community's needs, and it will show you the way to success.

The free exchange of ideas is central to any democracy, and libraries are central to the free exchange of ideas. Hafner examines many of the issues at the heart of the library's role in a democratic society and demonstrates the practical importance of the library's democratic mission. In order to make informed decisions about acquisitions, librarians must be familiar with the legal and intellectual debates surrounding controversial material. The opening chapters of the volume provide an historical and theoretical context for the democratic role of the library by discussing issues related to canonicity. Later chapters discuss legal issues related to the library as a forum for free expression, the Richard R. Kreimer case, and the confidentiality of library records. Chapter authors thoroughly discuss issues that impact the daily functioning of the library. Their backgrounds in library and political science, law, management, sociology, and literary studies bring a fresh perspective to these controversial and hotly debated issues. The book will be of special interest to all practicing librarians, library trustees and administators, and to library science students.

In recent years, automation has played a vital role in library systems that handle tasks of acquisition, cataloging, serials, and circulation. The automation of these operations has, in turn, minimised the demand for human interaction. Robots in Academic Libraries: Advancements in Library Automation provides an overview on the current state of library automation, addresses the need for changing personnel to accommodate these changes, and assesses the future for academic libraries as a whole. This book is essential for library leaders, technology experts, and library vendors interested in the future of library automation and its impact on the decline of human interaction in libraries.