Library resource sharing in British Columbia post-secondary libraries

Objective of Study, from the Executive Summary: To identify and evaluate the key components that facilitate or restrict resource sharing of library collections and other information resources among B.C. libraries. A primary goal is to determine what can be done to extend resource sharing by removing barriers and improving those elements that affect the quantity and quality of services. Information is to be collected about current policies and practices, cost and related financial requirements. Proposals for change and improvement are to be developed, addressing financial as well as policy or procedural matters

NSF management support for aid-funded development of Egyptian scientific and technical information services

Issued as Monthly progress reports no. [1-11], Technical memorandum report, Reprint, Letter reports no. [1-5], and Technical reports no. [1-9], Project no. G-36-644 (subproject is A-51-604/Dodd/Library

College and Research Libraries 28 (4) July 1967

published or submitted for publicatio

Volume 10 - 1979: COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT IN GEOSCIENCE LIBRARIES AND GEOSCIENCE INFORMATION REVIEW - Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the Geoscience Information Society

Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the Geoscience Information Society held November 4-7, 1979 in San Diego, Californi

Inter-library loans: retrospect and prospect

In the United Kingdom, including to a lesser extent Eire, the last sixty years or so have seen the development of a system of national and regional inter-library lending of which the library service may be justly proud. That is not to say that the system which has already been developed is incapable of improvement, nor that the methods adopted for the furtherance of library cooperation have always been the most efficient and economical. By outlining the main factors in this development, and noting some possible changes for the future, this study seeks to evaluate this complex method by which British libraries seek to make the total bibliographic resources of the country readily available to those who need access to them. In terms of the cost per item handled it could be argued that the methods used are relatively inexpensive; in terms of the total expenditure on duplication of functions throughout the country, it is certainly a costly operation

Special Libraries, Winter 1994

Volume 85, Issue 1https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_sl_1994/1000/thumbnail.jp

Electronic text processing in the large South African life assurance companies

Includes bibliographical references.The use of computer technology and magnetic storage media for production typing led to a new term "word processing". In this research word processing is considered to be part only of a more comprehensive concept - electronic text processing. This research project is directed towards the role of electronic text processing as an integral part of information management and integrated administrative support in the large South African life assurance companies. As far as could be determined this is the first comprehensive research done on electronic text processing against a business administration background at university level

Negotiating for computer services: Papers presented at the 1977 Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing, April 24-27, 1977

The increasing use of automation in libraries has made many librarians painfully aware of the difficulty of negotiating for computer products and services. This is true for a wide range of situations, such as acquiring a turnkey system, joining a network, subscribing to an information retrieval service and many others. While negotiation should be a give-and-take process between parties on an equal footing, librarians often see themselves as being at a disadvantage. The product or service is technically complex, the legal instruments are mysterious, and the other party has greater experience with the technology, the law and the art of negotiating. The purpose of the 1977 clinic was to enable librarians to be stronger, more knowledgeable negotiators. Some of the papers printed here present negotiation from the librarian's viewpoint; other papers deal with the special needs and concerns of the vendor. In every case, the intent is to make negotiation a rational and orderly process. In their complementary papers, Boss and Gurr show that differing interests need not result in an adversary relationship between vendor and librarian. In his paper, Corey examines in some detail the special problems of negotiating when legally enforceable contracts are not possible. This paper includes several specific suggestions that prove extremely helpful for libraries that obtain data processing from a parent organization. Three sessions of the clinic were devoted to explaining the basics of data processing contracts and conducting simulated negotiating sessions. The material used in the role-playing sessions is included here so that readers may practice negotiating in a risk-free setting.published or submitted for publicatio

The effects of automation in libraries: the implications for work organisation and job design

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how libraries, as organisations, may adapt to the introduction of automation, specifically the use of computing technology. The study focusses on the effects on the organisation of work. The thesis commences with an overview of libraries, their organisation, structure and environment, placing the development of automation in context. The nature of work in libraries is described and a categorisation of selected tasks drawn up, divided into four functional areas: acquisition, organisation, exploitation and administration. The question of whether librarianship is a profession is addressed. The relationship between the ‘professional’ and 'non-professional' is raised. Reviews of published research into the job preferences of library workers and the characteristics of library work are undertaken. The development of automation in libraries is described, followed by a review of library experiences of automation, with specific reference to the impact on organisational structure and the nature of work. Theories of job design are described and their use within libraries examined. The potential application of contemporary approaches to job redesigns is investigated. Field research undertaken involved administering a questionnaire to a group of library workers whose libraries were members, at that time, of the Scottish Libraries Cooperative Automation Project (SCOLCAP). Questions covered job preferences and characteristics, and attitudes to automation. The various facets of the topic are brought together in a final discussion. The future of libraries and librarians is explored. Some recommendations for further research are made. The major conclusions are that automation is a catalyst for change in libraries rather than an instigator of change; that there are strategic choices involved in the change process, including choices in the capabilities of the technology used, why it is used and how work is organised around it. A model outlining the consequences of automation in libraries is presented