ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries Association of College & Research Libraries February 1 9 8 3 Vol. 44, No. 2 ACRL’s New Task Forces Carla J. Stoffle ACRL President University o f Wisconsin-Parkside Planning for the next decade, including a review of the structure of ACRL to improve planning, was a major focus for the Association during 1982. This planning focus continues in 1983 with an emphasis on specific associa­ tion and professional concerns identified by the Ad Hoc Activity Model Committee. Building on the committee's recommendations I have ap­ pointed seven membership task forces charged with developing recommen­ dations for achieving objectives specified by the "Activity Model” (C &RL News‚ May 1982, pp. 164-69). These task forces began their work at the San Antonio Midwinter meeting last month. The areas that the task forces dealt with include: 1) academic library statistics; 2) research priorities for academic librarianship; 3) library performance measures; 4) communication between academic libraries and library educators; 5) academic libraries and higher education; 6) improving the function of new ACRL committee members and chairs; and 7) the rela­ tionship between ACRL, other ALA divisions, and the Association itself. These are listed below along with the chairs of each task force. The work of these task forces should enable ACRL to serve its members more effectively and enhance the development of academic libraries. To keep ACRL members informed of the Association’s planning process, C &R L News will carry reports of the work of the seven task forces. Should you have a special interest in the work of a task force, please contact the chair of that group. A C R L T a s k F o r c e o n L i b r a r y S t a t i s t i c s Purpose: To define the statistical needs of academic libraries; to examine whether or how those needs are not currently being met; to suggest ways ACRL could aid academic librarians and the profession by generating and/ or disseminating these statistics and the concomitant costs of each. Tasks: Determine how academic libraries and ACRL staff use statistics and what statistics are needed. Determine whether the ACRL 100 Libraries Survey might be used to gather this information. Examine existing statistical sources and determine how well they are (continued on p. 32) SPEED • CONTROL • FLEXIBILITY • SELECTIVITY It’s time to explore the benefits of going online with- Books in Print Update m onthly and m ore o ften during peak p erio d s, the Books in Print datab ase offers u n p a ra l­ le le d currency and e ase of access to inform ation on som e 7 7 0 ,0 0 0 books published or distributed in the U nited S tates. Along w ith in -p rin t title s , the BIP u niverse includes books th at w ill be fo rth ­ com ing in th e next six m onths and books th at have been d e clared o u t-o f-p rin t or out-of-stock- in d e fin ite ly since J u ly 19 7 9. In ad d itio n to Author, T itle , and S u b ject, the BIP datab ase can be searched on lin e by key w ords in a title (an e x trem e ly useful fea tu re w hen only part of a title is known), su b title, series title , pub da te , LCCN, lan g u ag e of p u b lic a tio n , publisher, o u t-o f-p rin t or active status, and additional access points which can be used alone or in combination. Current availability: BRS and Dialog. American Men and Women of Science C o m p letely update Fall 1 9 8 2, th e datab ase contains b iographical inform ation on 1 3 0 ,5 0 0 U .S . and Canadian scien tists c u rren tly active in 6 5 broad scien tific d iscip lin es and 8 0 0 sub -d iscip lin es within the physical and biological sciences. In addition to accessing information by nam e, you can im m e d ia te ly id e n tify scien tists w orking in sp ecific g eographical locations, in specific discip lin es, by e ducational background, earned d e g rees, honors and aw ards, personal statistics, or any combination of these and additional criteria. Current availability: BRS. Planned availability via Dialog, March 1983. Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory (In c lu d in g Irregular Serials and Annuals) Updated every six w eeks, the Ulrich’s database p ro files som e 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 reg u la rly and irre g u la rly issued seria l pub licatio n s from som e 6 5 ,0 0 0 publishers in 181 countries. In fo rm atio n on some 1 2 ,0 0 0 title s th at have ceased pu b licatio n since 1 974 is also in cluded. In addition to T itle and S ubject access, Ulrich’s o n lin e lets you search for s e ria ls by frequency of p u blication, country of p u b licatio n , c irc u la tio n , IS S N , Dew ey D e c im a l number, s p ecial features (such as inclusion of a d vertisin g , book review s, e tc .) active or inactive status, and m o re . You can also search for title s using “ key w o rd ” techniques and you can co m b in e access points to instantly locate those p u b lic a ­ tions that m e e t your s electio n c rite ria . Current availability: BRS. Planned availability via Dialog, February 1983. To subscribe through BRS (Bibliographic Retrieval Services) call (518) 783-1161 in New York State or (800) 833-4707, toll tree, elsewhere. * To subscribe to Books in Print online through Dialog Information Services, call (800) 982-5838 in CA, or (800) 227-1960 else­ where. * For additional information on online and on customized search services (U.S. & Canada), contact Iris L. Rugoff, Business Manager, Online Services, R.R. Bowker Čo tl8 0 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10036. Telephone: (212) 764-5107. ★ Outside the Western Hemisphere contact Susan Stuart, Bowker, Erasmus House, Eppinq, Essex CM16 4BU, England. Telex: 81410 F ebru ary 1983 / 31 COLLEGE & RESEARCH LIBRARIES NEWS F eb r u a r y 1983 V olu m e 44 N u m b er 2 CONTENTS ACRL’s New Task Forces Carla J. S toftle..................................................................................................................29 Instructing Patrons in OCLC in an Academic Library Robert A. D a u g h er ty ......................................................................................................35 BI Report Carolyn K irken d all..........................................................................................................36 Letter.............................................................................................................................................. 37 How to Participate in A C R L ......................................................................................................39 ACRL List of Materials Available............................................................................................. 40 C&RL News Guidelines for Submission of Articles or Columns...........................................45 News from the F ie ld ....................................................................................................................46 People............................................................................................................................................ 47 New Technology.......................................................................................................................... 53 Publications.................................................................................................................................. 55 Calendar........................................................................................................................................ 57 Classified Advertising..................................................................................................................59 College & Research Libraries News (ISSN 0099-0086) is published by the Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, as 11 monthly (combining July- August) issues, at 50 E . Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Annual subscription: $10. Single copies and back issues: $3.50 each. Second-class postage paid for at Chicago, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. Editor: George M. Eberhart, ACRL/ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 944-6780. Presi­ dent, ACRL: Carla J. Stoffle. Executive Director, ACRL: Julie Carroll Virgo. Production and circulation office: 50 E . Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Display advertising should be sent to Leona Swiech, Advertising Traffic Coordinator, ALA, at above address. Send classified ads to ACRL. Change of address and subscription orders should be addressed to C olleg e & R esearch L ibraries N ews, for receipt at the above address at least two months before the publication date of the effective issue. Inclusion of an article or an advertisement in C &R L N ew s does not constitute official endorsement by ACRL or ALA. A partial list of the services indexing or abstracting the contents of C&R L News includes: C urrent C on ­ tents: Social & B ehavioral Sciences; C urrent Index to Journals in E ducation ; Inform ation Science A b ­ stracts; L ib rary & Inform ation Science Abstracts; L ib rary L iteratu re; and Social Sciences Citation Index. T o the postmaster: Please send undeliverable copies to ACRL, 50 E . Huron S t., Chicago, IL 60611. ® American Library Association 1983. All material in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational ad­ vancement. 32 / C &R L N ews Task Forces, cont’d meeting the needs of academic libraries, especially college and community college libraries. Address the following questions: Do the present surveys ask the right questions? If not. what other statistics do libraries want collected? Address the question: Should A CRL collect data or manipulate existing data? D e te rm in e w heth er any s ta tis tic a l p ro je c t should be designed to compare library statistics with the ACRL standards for libraries. Determine ways in which new technology could be used to cost-effectively gather, store, and dis­ seminate statistics. Suggest further action in the area of statistics for ACRL and prepare budgets as appropriate. Continue to maintain liaison with the ALA O f­ fice for Research on its proposed national system for data collection and with the A CRL Perform­ ance Measures Task Force. Keep the ALA L ib rary Adm inistration and Management Association/Library Organization and Management Section informed. Report to: T h e A C R L Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Annual Confer­ ence, 1983. Chair: George M. Bailey, Associate Director of L ib raries, T he C larem ont Colleges, 800 D a rt­ mouth S t., Claremont, CA 91711. A C R L T a s k F o r c e o n t h e R e s e a r c h N e e d s o f A c a d e m i c a n d R e s e a r c h L i b r a r i e s Purpose: To develop recommendations of ap­ propriate mechanisms within ACRL by which the Association can establish and maintain on a contin­ uing basis a short agenda of research priorities for academic and research libraries and to recommend the means by which these priorities may be made known to key funding entities. Tasks: Use the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on a National Research Agenda as an example of the kind of research agenda to be developed. Determine whether the agenda should be devel­ oped by the Planning Committee or some other standing committee. Devise ways in which other library organiza­ tions, such as the Association of Research L i­ b r a rie s , th e M usic L ib r a r y A ssociation , ARLIS/NA, the Council on Library Resources, and others, can provide input for the agenda. Develop a list of key funding agencies to be ap­ proached and suggest ways in which ACRL can communicate with them about research needs. E xam in e w hether a stand ing co m m ittee is needed to carry out this function in the future or make recommendations on how it can be carried out. Report to: T h e A C R L Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Annual Confer­ ence, 1983. C h a ir : Jo H a rra r, D ire c to r. U niversity L i­ braries. University of Maryland at College Park. College Park. MD 20742. ACRL T a s k F o r c e o n P e r f o r m a n c e M e a s u r e s Purpose: To determine whether ACRL should undertake to develop performance measures for ac­ ademic libraries and, if so. to develop a plan of action for so doing for consideration by the ACRL Board. Tasks: Review the literature of performance measures. Evaluate the usefulness of existing per­ formance measures manuals for their applicability to academic libraries. D evelop recom m endations on w hat action ACRL should take in the area of performance mea­ sures (a workshop, preconference, manual, re­ search project, etc.). W rite a proposal in support of this recommendation. Decide whether the proposal can be carried out by A C R L m embers (and what adm inistrative structure should be set up to do so) or if it should be contracted out to a consulting firm having experi­ ence in this area. Establish a budget for the project proposed. Solicit opinion from the academic library com­ munity on such a project. Report to: The A CRL Board on the progress of the committee after the San Antonio Midwinter Meeting and at the Los Angeles Annual Conference with a draft report submitted to the ACRL Board in advance of the 1984 Midwinter Meeting and a final report submitted by the 1984 Dallas Annual Conference. Chair: Robert W . Burns, Assistant D irector, C olorado S ta te U niversity, F o rt C ollins, CO 80523. ACRL T a s k F o r c e o n L i b r a r y S c h o o l s a n d A c a d e m i c L i b r a r i e s Purpose: To foster communication between li­ brary schools and academic libraries for the mu­ tual benefit of each. Tasks: Examine current relationships and com­ munication patterns between library school fac­ ulty and academic librarians. Suggest methods to improve communication about needs of academic libraries to library schools and problems and concerns of library school fac­ ulty to academic librarians. P E T R E L is working on improving this com ­ munication between research libraries and library schools. Recommend what role ACRL can play for other types of academic libraries. Determine how library school faculty partici­ pate in ACRL: suggest ways in which A CRL could assist in the teaching process. Propose ongoing avenues of communication— discussion group, join t standing com m ittee of ACRL and the AALS, etc. Report to: The ACRL Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Annual Confer­ ence. 1983. Chair: Cerise Oberman, Head of Reference, Walter Library, University of Minnesota, Minne­ apolis, MN 55455. ACRL T a s k F o r c e o n A c a d e m i c L i b r a r i e s a n d H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n Purpose: To examine ways that academic librar­ ians can interpret the role of academic libraries to the higher education community, to enhance the understanding of academic librarians about major issues in higher education, and to make recommen­ dations about what role ACRL sould play in facili­ tating the integration of academic libraries into the higher education movement. Tasks: To determine how ACRL can help mem­ bers learn more about the broader environment— higher education—in which they work. This could be done through CE courses, workshops, publica­ tions, etc. Make recommendations as to how this function could be carried out. To help ACRL communicate the role of libraries and librarians to the rest of the higher education community. The distribution of the publication L i­ brary Issues to faculty at a selected number of insti­ tutions is one attempt to do this. Suggest other ways in which ACRL can participate in this effort. To devise ways for ongoing communication and regular interface between librarians and other aca­ demic officers. On a national level this can be done by working with national commissions set up to deal with education and with other associations in higher education. Recommend the body within ACRL which should be respoasible for this on an ongoing basis. Report to: The ACRL Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Conference, 1983. Chair: Sharon Rogers, Director of Public Ser­ vices, Bowling Green University Library, Bowling Green, OH 43403. ACRL T a s k F o r c e f o r S u p p o r t o f N e w C o m m i t t e e M e m b e r s a n d C o m m i t t e e C h a i r s Purpose: To devise a means to help ACRL mem­ bers become more effective committee members and chairs. Tasks: Develop a program to provide informa­ tion on current ACRL/ALA processes and useful skills for voluntary organization so as to benefit new committee members and committee chairs. Examine the need for leadership and group dy­ namics workshops and a workshop on the mechan­ ics of running meetings, etc., for new officers and committee members and develop such workshops if needed. Make recommendations as to how at­ tendance at such workshops might be encouraged or required. 34 / C &R L News Develop written materials that may be used by committee members and chairs. E xam ine w hether a standing com m ittee is needed to carry out this function in the future or make recommendations on how it can be carried out. Report to: T he A CRL Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Annual Confer­ ence, 1983. Chair: Beverly L. Renford, Reference Librar­ ian, Hershey Medical Center Library, Box 850, Hershey, PA 17033. ACRL T a s k F o r c e o n ACRL/ALA Purpose: Examine in which ways ACRL, in co­ operation with other membership units, can take a leadership role with ALA as a whole, improve com m unication among units, and strengthen ALA. Tasks: Develop concrete suggestions as to how ACRL can better relate to ALA. Suggest ways in which ACRL can provide lead­ ership, in cooperation with other Divisions, to ALA. Identify vehicles for communicating with the leadership of other divisions, for example, confer­ ence meeting, president’s breakfast, or cocktail party. Identify ways in which divisions can work effec­ tively together to achieve their shared goals within the framework of ALA. Report to: T he A CRL Board by the second Board meeting at the Los Angeles Annual Confer­ ence, 1983. Chair: Sharon Hogan, Deputy Director, Samuel Paley Library, Temple University, 13th Street and Berks Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19122. ■ ■ CONSULTANT TRAINING PROGRAM Applications for the fourth and final group of 15-20 librarians to be admitted to the Academic Library Consultant Training Program are now available from the Association of Research L i­ braries* Office of Management Studies. The dead­ line for applications is March 31, 1983, with re­ gional interviews scheduled for May and June. Participants will be chosen by August and will be­ gin their consultant training in the fall. Interested candidates should co ntact OMS at 1527 New Ham pshire Avenue, N .W ., W ashington, DC 20036, (202) 232-8656, for application forms. The Consultant Training Program, begun in 1979, prepares selected academic librarians to serve as consultants to libraries conducting self- studies. It provides opportunities to develop skills in identifying and diagnosing library problems, to study the theory and concepts of library training and consultation, and to increase skills in facilitat­ ing groups engaged in problem-solving. The primary components of the training process are 1 ) an intensive two-week institute on consulta­ tion skills that acquaints candidates with the tech­ niques. strategies, and resources available to them within the program, and 2) a year-long practicum where candidates work with OMS staff members in the conduct of library studies or training pro­ grams. Candidates will be selected on the basis of a writ­ ten application available from OMS. individual in­ terviews held regionally, and participation in an Assessment Workshop. Selections are made on the basis of the following criteria: five years of success­ ful library operations experience; demonstrated skills in dealing with colleagues, analyzing and solving problems, and making decisions; and dem­ onstrated communication skills, especially openness to new ideas, tolerance for differing view­ points, and ability to articulate ideas. In addition, the selection committee will consider the candi­ dates’ experience in library self-studies; specialized management training; accomplishment in an area covered by an OMS study; and potential for work­ ing within the assisted self-study approach to orga­ nizational change and development. All training is conducted on a complimentary basis, and consultants will be reimbursed for travel and maintenance costs during the 6-12 month training period. It is expected that consultants will devote up to 18 days during 1984 away from their present positions while engaged in a 2-week work­ shop and in 5 -8 days consulting at a library site. Consultant training is a central part of the five- year Academic Library Program (ALP) of the Of­ fice of Management Studies. The program is spon­ sored by ARL, the Council on Library Resources, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The pro­ gram has the endorsement of ACRL, which is rep­ resented on the national ALP Advisory Commit­ tee. ■ ■ More Exchange Options Two additional institutions have shown an interest in hosting U.S. librarians on exchange or as visitors. Librarians wishing to participate should contact the libraries directly: Earle Gow, Deputy Librarian, University of Queensland. St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia 4067. Colin Steele, Librarian. Australian National University, P.O. Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2600. Australia: An opportunity for either exchange or unsalaried visit. The ANU Library is one of the largest in Australia, situated in the national capital.