Academic and public libraries are continuing to transform as the information landscape changes, expanding their missions into new service roles that call for improved organizational performance and accountability. This extensively revised and updated edition explores further the ways technology influences both the experiences of library customers and the ways libraries themselves can assess those experiences. With a focus on real-world application,...

"Many of us have vivid recollections of childhood visits to the public library: the unmistakable, slightly musty scent, the excitement of checking out a stack of newly-discovered books. Today's libraries also function as de facto community centers, and offer free access to the Internet, job-hunting assistance, or a warm place to take shelter along with the endless possibilities that spark your imagination the moment you open the cover of a book. There...

"This book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to tried-and-true genealogy techniques and resources. With the help of four case studies, Simpson outlines a basic starting strategy for conducting genealogy research. Later chapters deal specifically with genealogical librarianship: how to conduct a reference interview, continuing and professional development, and basic resources every collection should have. Charts, screen...

Does the thought of volunteer workers make you smile, grimace, or shrug with indifference? Whatever the reaction, readers of this informative manual will be challenged to use effectively a resource often taken for granted. Experienced in working with volunteers, the authors avoid depicting volunteerism as a miraculous solution for libraries' ills. Instead, they acknowledge the negatives, then methodically outline a program designed to addresss these...

"Managing for Results requires librarians to take a proactive approach to marshaling and managing all of the library's resources effectively. The key to successfully allocating resources is first knowing what you want to accomplish. Most of a library's resources are already allocated to some objective or another. However, Managing for Results helps you evaluate whether resources are being used to achieve the real objectives of the library in the community....