Selection for preservation: considerations for the health sciences

Just as no health sciences library can afford to collect every work on a subject, neither can any health sciences library afford to preserve every item that is added to its collection. In decision making for collection development, health sciences libraries apply a set of selection criteria. Those same criteria have direct application in selection for preservation decisions. This paper summarizes the literature of selection for preservation, describes the scholarly record of biomedicine, and presents criteria for selection for preservation decisions. The preservation priorities statement for microfilming of monographs and serials in the National Library of Medicine collection is included as an appendix.     

Organizing a Local History Collection in a Small Public Library

When attempted on a modest scale, local history col- lections can offer a unique component to the library's repertoire of reference services. Establishing a local history collection has both short- and long-term implications concerning library policies, space allocation, staff time, staff training, and budgets. Because of this, -. the small public library should clearly and realistically establish a collection policy which will not place an undue burden on its re- sources. Assessing community needs is a critical part of this pro- cess. Small public libraries should not attempt to duplicate or com- pete with other institutions for local material. Rather, the library should seek to fill the void in public service in cases where there is no extant collection available to the public.     

The necessity for a collection development policy statement

The heart of the library lies in its collections, and collections have to be built continuously. Budgetary constraints perforce stress the need for better defined collection development policy, although the ultimate goal should be an improvement of library service rather than any reduction of library cost. A written collection development policy facilitates a consistent and balanced growth of library resources, and a dynamic policy is one that evolves as the institution grows. Such a policy is based on the understanding of the needs of the community it serves and seeks to define and delimit the goals and objectives of the institution. A collection development statement is not a substitute for book selection; it charts the forest but does not plant the trees. It should be used as a guidepost, not a crutch. Book selection requires judgment and the courage to choose. A sound collection development policy, on the other hand, provides the necessary rational without which a collection may grow amoebalike, by means of pseudopodia.     

Reference Collection Development Using the RLG Conspectus

Reference collection development should be seen as an integral part of the overall management of academic research library collections. The reference librarian benefits from participation in the development of collection development policy statements based on a collection evaluation using the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Conspectus. The writing of cormprehensive collection development policy statements using the RLG Conspectus to evaluate subject collections requires that collection management librarians and reference librarians work closely together and integrate the development of the reference collection into overall collection development plans for the library. This article discusses some of the functions of collection management divisions and the potential components of a Conspectus-based comprehensive collection development policy statement. The sharing of the process between the collection management librarian and the reference librarian/selector is described. Benefits the reference librarian gains from the process are discussed.     

基于专家调查的我国图书馆战略规划理想预期

在面向全国图书馆界的领导、教授、资深图书馆员工等相关专家的问卷调查中,图书馆战略规划的内外部影响因素,参与人员、专职部门、重点工作、规划流程、决策措施等层面的管理要素得到考察。针对我国理想状态中的图书馆战略规划,专家意见认为应该关注内外部的多元化战略环境;从主观和客观层面强化战略的风险意识;从组织建设、工作环节、流程模式等方面创建科学的管理体系;从规划时长、测评体系、规划来源和内容要素等方面规范规划文本的编制。     

Mission Statement and Consolidation of the Efforts of Its Staff

ABSTRACT

Crafting the mission statements of organizations, enterprises, etc., is a regular part of the management policy in a number of Western countries (especially the USA, Canada and UK) nowadays. Many American and British readers know what an important role the mission statements play in the activity of libraries and information centers. In the Republic of Belarus, the very first mission statement appeared in a library, in 1996. Designing and creating a mission statement is explored.     

Automated acquisitions: The future of collection development

Automation of vendor files and integrated library systems are changing (a) the process of collection development, (b) the role of the collection developer, (c) the relationship between libraries and vendors, and even (d) the library's organization. By combining files in the bibliographer's workstation, paraprofessional staff can select the core collection; professionals will focus on expensive or fringe titles. Programmed or mechanical selection can replace staff decisions in acquiring the core titles. Automation may increase successful cooperative collection development and expand the responsibilities of collection developers. Professional roles will change to include more policy, preservation, evaluation, and process assignments. Collection development activities may be decentralized and combined with reference and cataloging subject groups or become part of acquisitions processing teams.     

Preservation activities and needs in U.S. biomedical libraries: a status report

A national sample of health sciences and other types of libraries having significant holdings of biomedical literature was studied to determine the status of library preservation programs. Findings pertaining to 134 basic health sciences libraries and to ninety-seven resource libraries in the Regional Medical Library Program network are reported and discussed. Basic health sciences libraries participating in the study were primarily hospital libraries; resource libraries were primarily academic health sciences center libraries. Findings include information on topics perceived to be of greatest need for staff training and for informational or educational materials; on levels of preservation activity, staffing, and funding; and on capabilities for participating in a national cooperative preservation program. Efforts to identify general and special biomedical collections of potential importance to a national preservation program met with limited success.     

Servicing the Various Publics at a State Supported Academic Library

Reference librarians and administrators are always concerned about ways to provide the best service to their patrons. The traditional user groups of the academic library are the faculty, staff, and students of the college or university. In a publicly supported academic library, patrons come from the general community, including children, adolescents, and business people, as well as from the university. This article emphasizes the importance of examining the reference service currently provided, recognizing and identifying the needs of various user groups both within and outside the university community, recognizing current budgetary and staff limitations at the library, and setting priorities for future service opportunities.     

Staffing for Bibliographic Instruction:

In planning for new or expanding bibliographic programs, library administrators and instruction librarians must work together to develop strategies for using limited staff resources effectively. Issues related to who should teach, how to develop needed skills, and which instructional methodologies to adopt must be addressed. Organizations in which assumptions and priorities can be examined, and where risk-taking is encouraged, often achieve goals which otherwise might be unobtainable.     

高校图书馆馆藏发展政策状况调查及实践

本文从我国在信息技术飞速发展的环境下图书馆馆藏发展政策的现状出发,通过网络调查法对全国部分高校的图书馆馆藏发展政策的状况进行调查分析,内容涉及高校图书馆现阶段对馆藏政策的认识,馆藏政策制定机构、制定原则、制定人员及内容,并对馆藏发展政策制定实践中应该注意的几个问题提出了看法。对了解我国高校图书馆馆藏政策,针对性地进行研究提供了事实数据资料,可为高校图书馆制定适合时代发展要求的馆藏发展政策提供帮助。     

Increasing Efficiency and Decreasing Waste by Overhauling Interlibrary Loan Procedures at a Small Community College

While the ideal of a paperless library may be unobtainable, striving for a paperless interlibrary loan department is both possible and desirable. Interlibrary loan departments at smaller academic libraries are often understaffed and overworked. In this environment, streamlining and efficiency become priorities; implementing practical changes that save time, effort, and money are critical. Changes may include going paperless, improving shipping techniques, using custom holdings wisely, and training staff for efficiency.     

Developing and Implementing a Behavior Policy for an Academic Library

A behavior policy provides guidelines for determining and managing unacceptable behavior. It protects library patrons and staff from abusive actions of others that undermine the purpose of the library. Development of a policy is facilitated by consulting staff, campus police and other officials, and by examining other libraries' policies and procedures.     

Reference Services for Disabled Individuals in Academic Libraries

Reference services for disabled students require not only traditional directional and informational assistance, but also physical assistance. Providing this service takes planning, commitment and funding on the part of the librarians providing the service and on the part of the library administration. A well- lanned staff development program should be offered to the entire [braly staff on a regular basis in order to increase awareness of disabled library users' needs and to sensitize the staff to their physical limitations. This will help to overcome barriers in library facilities and collections.     

Using scientific evidence to improve information practice

相似文献   

基于调查案例的美国图书馆信息资源数字化项目实施分析

本文在对美国6个比较有影响的调查案例进行分析的基础上，认为美国国内图书馆信息资源数字化项目整体实施效果不理想，项目规划既不完善也不全面，资金投入普遍短缺，人力资源配备不充分，数字资源生产过程管理质量欠佳，数字资源长期保存现状不容乐观。国内图书馆界应认真研究，引以为鉴，结合国情和馆情，全面规划，方可少走弯路。     

Getting Staff Involved in Providing Community Information

Staff involvemcnt with community information starts at the administrative level with planning and commitment. Part of the planning process is assessing what other agencies in the community are doing to provide community information, and determining the library's role in this process. It should be clear to staff that providing information about community resources is a legitimate part of the total information service offered by the library, not a nonEssential extra-work addition. Staff training is an ongoing process, and an essential part of becoming comfortable in using this community resource file. The skills which administrators bring to the implementation of a new service say a great deal about how they manage any change. If initial planning has been well thought out, adequate training offered, and communication good between public service staff and those responsible for coordinating the service, staff acceptance and use of the new service should be high.     

User satisfaction with the library service among part‐time students

In higher education levels of resource provision are becoming increasingly important. Within this context academic libraries are required to evaluate their services and ensure that they meet the needs of users. Sensitivity to customer requirements must be extended to include different categories of customer and in light of the changing composition of the student population, serving the needs of part time students should be a priority for academic librarians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of satisfaction with library facilities among part time students in the University of Ulster at Jordanstown (UUJ). A postal questionnaire was administered to two hundred part time students within the Faculty of Business and Management obtaining a response rate of 45%. Factor analysis was used to identify factors underpinning user satisfaction. These reflected two general dimensions of staff and facilities. A clear trend emerged suggesting that part time students rated satisfaction with staff more highly than satisfaction with facilities. Significance testing concluded that there were no differences in levels of satisfaction between regular and irregular users of the library. Clearly further research is needed in the area but this study indicates that efforts at improvement should be directed primarily in the direction of facilities to raise part time students’ satisfaction.     

Ｗｅｂ２．０环境下图书馆信息服务的变化及应对策略

文章研究在Web2.0环境下的图书馆信息服务,分析图书馆传统信息服务的现状和不足,详细论述Web2.0带给图书馆信息服务业务、服务环境、用户需求、信息交流方式的变化,并提出图书馆的应对策略。图书馆只有改革信息服务内容、创新信息服务模式、培训图书馆员,为用户提供更优质的服务。     

高校图书馆新馆建设与管理带来的思考

读者调查显示，新馆建设及“大流通”管理模式给读者带来极大的便利，良好的环境对工作人员的服务态度有潜移默化的影响作用，读者满意度不断提高。但“大流通”的管理模式在书库维护、图书撕割涂划、占位问题、图书充消磁等问题上还存在管理瓶颈，图书馆更多的人力、物力投入及读者素质的不断提高是解决这些问题的良好对策。