Gerard B. McCabe - Böcker

As advertised, the book offers a source of strategies and practical solutions to vexing and recurrent problems which readers can tailor to their individual needs. By and large, the authors eschew the theoretical and anecdotal extremes in favor of applied, first-hand experience with good effect. The book is carefully edited, well indexed, has a serviceable binding, and clear sharp type. It is highly recommended as an important resource that belongs in the professional collection of every small academic library. Journal of Academic Librarianship The Smaller Academic Library, which is a collection of thirty essays by diverse hands on the management of libraries in colleges of up to about 7,500 students, should help practitioners build that kind of leadership and sense of mission. It contains, in general, an excellent body of information on the administration, personnel, budgets and finance, collections, user programs and services, and physical plant that touches on virtually every aspect of the administration, management, and operation of smaller academic libraries in a lively and useful fashion. Wilson Library BulletinThis handbook is intended for librarians involved with smaller academic libraries, that is, those which serve institutions with enrollments from 200 to 7,500 students. Consisting of contributions from librarians actually working in these libraries, it is intended to provide solutions to recurrent problems. The contributors offer their own strategies for use both as models and as starting points from which readers may generate their own solutions. They possess a wide range of experience and discuss a broad spectrum of pertinent topics. This is apt considering the diverse character of smaller academic setting, may also evidence a common set of problems. Each chapter includes either references or a bibliography, and a bibliographic essay completes the volume.

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 BulletinDesigned 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.

Solutions to the unique problems of academic libraries in urban and metropolitan areas are provided in this professional handbook. Issues faced by the administrators of these libraries can differ markedly from those encountered by their counterparts in residential college towns, with service demands emanating from both the surrounding community and their own academic community. Written by experienced urban university librarians, each chapter addresses issues unique to the in-city academic library.Reaching out to their communities to establish links with business, industry, and other libraries, the administrators of the urban/metropolitan libraries require a great degree of diplomacy and management skills. Service demands arising from urban high schools place additional pressures on limited resources. This handbook shows how the use of new technologies can assist the urban academic librarian in fashioning services for a nonresident faculty, as well as a usually older student body, comprised of many international and part-time students. The characteristics of city living and their impact on information-seeking behavior are discussed. Other topics covered are resource sharing, setting fees, staff and collection security, environmental pollution and space requirements.

Libraries are becoming increasingly automated. Many libraries have already become automated, and librarians have had to confront a new set of problems in their jobs. Many other libraries are not yet automated, but will soon be acquiring new technology and new problems. This book provides detailed techniques for coping with the problems inherent in automation. While other works offer thorough coverage of the library automation process, this volume provides case studies of the personal experiences of librarians who have had to solve problems related to automation. Included are case studies from large academic libraries, special libraries, public libraries, and smaller libraries.The first section of the book includes chapters on locally developed library automation systems and how those systems have adapted to change. The second section contains chapters on selecting, buying, and installing automation systems. The third section includes chapters on the sharing of automated systems by different libraries. The fourth section, on database maintenance and conversion, contains chapters important to all librarians. The fifth section discusses the management of automated systems. The book concludes with a bibliographic essay that overviews developments in library automation technology and lists sources for further information.

At the end of the 20th century, college and university libraries face enormous challenges and opportunities. As campuses move into the information age, the mission and role of the library is being redefined. While the amount of information libraries need to acquire continues to increase, the resources available to do so are insufficient. Moreover, administrators need to assess the relationship between the library and the computer center, as both fight for limited resources.This book offers academic administrators and librarians a better understanding of the issues facing the library during this time of change and the role of the library in the evolving campus of the future. Chapters are written by expert contributors, who reflect a range of perspectives and experience. The authors treat such current and emerging issues as the future of printed material in the library, the role of the library in instruction, the library and the larger campus community, the training and development of personnel for the future, library expenditures at a time when technology quickly becomes obsolete, and the future of academic libraries.

Though computers have become more common, many academic libraries still lack automation of any kind. With the growing importance of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic databases, automation is likely to be an important part of the future of every library. Fortunately, enough libraries have implemented automated systems so that their experiences can inform those libraries only about to engage in automation projects. This professional reference is a guide to the forecasting, planning, implementing, and monitoring necessary for the successful management of academic library automation.While novices will benefit from this book, the volume will be of special interest to librarians presently engaged in automation projects. The authors of the book's chapters come from all types of academic libraries and offer a wide range of experience and perspectives. The volume focuses on two major areas of librarianship, public service and technical services; and contributors stress the importance of planning, teamwork, and clear objectives. Each chapter cites sources of additional information, and the volume closes with two bibliographic essays.

Individual librarians and their personal leadership are contributing to changes in the library profession and the expanding career opportunities available to academic librarians. Not long ago many librarians saw their careers as limited to the confines of their library's four walls. There is a growing range of opportunities for librarians to hold influential positions outside of the library.Libraries have been an integral part of American higher education since 1636, when the Massachusetts Bay Colony's college at Cambridge was founded and then, two years later, took the name of John Harvard in recognition of the bequest of his library. Today the more than 3500 colleges and universities in the United States have collections that total many millions of volumes. In the intervening years, libraries have functioned in varying ways, depending upon the changing and developing purposes and policies of the institutions they have served. During this time the role of the librarian has changed from that of keeper of books to one of broad responsibilities for sophisticated information services. The academic librarian of today is a consummate professional, responsible for providing information services to faculty and students using every available technology.

The public library director needs information that helps in understanding what is involved in planning for a public library building project. This applies whether the subject is a free standing independent building, a branch library, a joint-use facility with a museum, a senior academic library, a community or junior college library, or a school library. Reading this book will not turn a reader into a qualified specialist on library buildings, but it will help librarians and others learn what should be known about a project so that they may function effectively as part of the planning team.The concept of modern libraries is moving toward interactive connections with information sources far beyond the immediate community. For the contemporary public library, this means connection to a network, with several terminals constantly online to the Internet. New library buildings must be constructed with these and other needs in mind. The public library director needs information that helps in understanding what is involved in planning for a public library building project. This applies whether the subject is a free standing independent building, a branch library, a joint-use facility with a museum, a senior academic library, a community or junior college library, or a school library. This book will help librarians and others learn what should be known about a project so that they may function effectively as part of the planning team.

This collection of 22 highly informative essays offers important insight into current activities in the area of building planning. Written by recognized building experts from the United States and Australia, the essays discuss critical planning issues from a management perspective.Topics include space design; collection marketing; furniture selection; landscaping; accommodating different age groups; hosting activities and events; seeking support from the community; and more. Technology is given a high priority. A bibliographic essay provides an abundance of suggested titles for further study.

Intended for librarians and library managers in academic institutions, this series aims to cover advances in library administration and organization. The collected articles draw upon practical situations to illustrate administrative principles.

Very often in the operation of two-year and other small academic libraries there are common issues and concerns. Librarians working in such institutions take the opportunity to share current thinking on such topics as managing change, accreditation standards, auxiliary roles and responsibilities on the campus, marketing library services, collection development, personnel issues, cooperation with other institutions, coping with technology, and a host of unusual problems.The flat hierarchy in two-year and other small academic libraries does not always avail front-line librarians a smooth transition to management roles. Very often in the operation of these libraries there are common issues and concerns, which can be grouped under broad headings such as Management Issues, Personnel, Operations and Collection Requirements. The intent of this book is to offer librarians working in such institutions the opportunity to share current thinking on topics that fall under these broad headings. Topics of interest include managing change, accreditation standards, auxiliary roles and responsibilities on the campus, marketing library services, collection development personnel issues, cooperation with other institutions, coping with technology and unusual problems.