This study is based on interviews with IT directors and assistant directors of leading college and university libraries and consortiums, including The Research Libraries Group, Vanderbilt University, the University of Texas, Lewis & Clark College, Salt Lake Community College, the University of Washington, the California Institute of Technology, Hutchinson Community College and Australia?s Monash University, Among the many topics covered are: investment in and maintenance of workstations, implementation of wireless access, policies towards laptops in the library, digitizing special collections, establishing digital depositories, preserving scholarly access to potentially temporal digital media, use of Ebooks, services for distance learning students, use of url resolvers, web site development and management, use of virtual reference, investment in library software, IT staff size and staff skill composition, range of IT staff responsibilities, use of outsourcing, relations between Library and general University IT staff, uses of PHP programming, catalog integration with the web, catalog enhancement software and services, web site search engine policies, use of automated electronic collection management software, technology education and training, development of technology centers and information literacy, library printing technology and cost reimbursement, and other issues of concern to library Information Technology Staff Directors.

Of major findings -- The Minneapolis Public Library -- Princeton Public Library -- Santa Monica Public Library -- Evansville Public Library -- Columbus Metropolitan Public Library -- The Boston Public Library -- Cedar Falls Public Library -- The Seattle Public Library -- The San Francisco Public Library -- The Denver Public Library -- Other reports from Primary Research Group, Inc.

Conversations with Leading Academic and Research Library Directors: International Perspectives on Library Management presents a series of conversations with the directors of major academic and research libraries. The book offers insight, analysis, and personal anecdote from leaders in the library field, giving a unique perspective on how the modern library operates. Readers will learn about the most up-to-date trends and practices in the LIS profession from the directors of 24 internationally acclaimed academic and research libraries in Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and the UK and USA. This is the first book focusing on leaders and managers of library institutions to offer a global outlook. Facing the need to respond to the expectations of changing populations that librarians strive to serve, this book aims to develop a new understanding of the core values of academic and research libraries, and asks how librarians can innovate, adapt, and flourish in a rapidly shifting professional landscape. - Presents conversations with library leaders from 24 major institutions - Offers a global perspective on the operation and management of libraries - Discusses the director's impact on institutional structures and future landscapes - Gives insights based on first-hand experience

This report provides Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) leaders and the academic community with a clear view of the current state of the literature on value of libraries within an institutional context, suggestions for immediate "Next Steps" in the demonstration of academic library value, and a "Research Agenda" for articulating academic library value. Its focus is to help librarians understand, based on professional literature, the current answer to the question, "How does the library advance the missions of the institution?" This report is also of interest to higher educational professionals external to libraries, including senior leaders, administrators, faculty, and student affairs professionals.

"This report looks closely at the electronic and print serials procurement and management practices of eleven libraries including: The University of Ohio, Villanova University, the Colorado School of Mines, Carleton College, Northwestern University, Baylor University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of San Francisco, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center"--P. 6.

This special report looks at the efforts of ten leading art libraries and image collections to digitize their holdings. The study reports on the efforts of The National Gallery of Canada, Cornell University?s Knight Resource Center, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, The Illinois Institute of Technology, The National Archives and Records Administration, McGill University, Ohio State University, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the joint effort of Harvard, Princeton, The University of California, San Diego, the University of Minnesota and others to develop a union catalog for cultural objects. Among the issues covered: cost of outsourcing, cost of in-house conversions, the future of 35 mm slides and related equipment, use of ARTstor and other commercial services, ease of interlibrary loan in images and the creation of a union catalog, prioritizing holdings for digitization, relationship of art libraries to departmental image collections, marketing image collections, range of end users of image collections, determining levels of access to the collection, digitization and distribution of backup materials on artists lives and times, equipment selection, copyright, and other issues in the creation and maintenance of digital art libraries.

Looking for tips on how to work towards your overall vision while remaining productive on the frontlines? The book gives you fresh ideas for balancing your managerial duties with day-to-day responsibilities in the academic library. A compilation of ideas from noted leaders in academic librarianship, this book explores a wealth of topics, including budgeting, human resources, facilities, collections, and IT. There is also helpful advice that will help you navigate emerging areas of librarianship, such as blended librarianship, cross-institutional collaboration, and marketing the library. You will learn how to manage, lead, and address specific library areas—all at once. Practical Strategies for Academic Library Managers: Leading with Vision through All Levels is ideal for current professionals with an expanded scope of responsibilities and those who have had administrative duties for some time, but are looking for new techniques for being a better manager. The book includes an introduction written by the editors, who are both associate deans in university libraries. Each chapter is written by a different expert in the field, providing a rich array of approaches and perspectives.