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Purpose – The purpose of this article is to encourage public librarians to reconsider the future value of their paper book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The author interacts with developing trends to make an argument for supporting paper book collections in the digital age. Findings – The liquidation of Borders Group Inc. provides the public library with an opportunity to market its paper collections to publishers and paper book buyers. Originality/value – The article offers a contrarian perspective on the enduring value physical book collections will play in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to apply the best practices defined by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) in its assessment of Amtrak to infrastructure improvements in electronic reserves at Columbia University Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on a 2004 GAO report, Intercity Passenger Rail, to set a framework for the handling of infrastructure improvement projects, and then examines a hypothetical electronic reserves project in light of that framework. Findings - This paper concludes that the best practices laid out in the GAO report, which include comprehensive planning, risk assessment, comprehensive financial management, accountability and oversight, and stakeholder involvement, are appropriate guidelines for any infrastructure improvement project. Many projects must address issues outside of infrastructure, however, and may benefit from outcomes-based goals and policy adjustments. Originality/value - The paper is of benefit in the planning of library projects that include infrastructure improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how Olin Library has maintained exceptional service to its users before, during and after a periodicals review resulting in deep subscription cuts. Design/methodology/approach - The paper takes the form of a review of activities at the Library during a time of financial restraints. Findings - Although Olin's cancellation project is not entirely completed, there is sufficient anecdotal evidence that the exceptional service has not deteriorated. At some point, soon after the cancellations are in place, a survey should be initiated to confirm this assumption about exceptional service. Practical implications - Several guidelines are presented and discussed that may be useful for other libraries faced with having to make tough periodicals decisions after being directed to cut budgets by their administrations. Originality/value - The paper provides guidelines that should greatly benefit librarians in facilitating a periodicals review and the resulting cuts during difficult economic times while still providing the service to which users are accustomed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present the initiatives that libraries and information services should take from the standpoint of management or services in times of economic crisis or recession such as the one currently occurring. When budget cuts, downsizing and cuts in equipment are continuous, it is important to reflect on the path that each library should take to overcome the crisis while providing users the services they require. Design/methodology/approach – There are projects internationally, including, inter alia, Pulman and Calimera, which highlight the supportive role of lifelong training, of both formal and informal education and of the libraries' contribution to social and economic development. They even claim that along with archives and museums, libraries should collaborate in developing a strong local economy by supporting local businesses and industry in different ways (offering information services, stimulating the acquisition of basic skills and providing career guidance). Logically, the public library is not the only – and may not even be the principal agent or the one most associated with this problem – which can address job insecurity, economic hardship and people's need for training. However, in the author's view it can have a significant and active role, in coordination with other agents, and it is important to take advantage of its potential: its collections, the training of its staff members, its familiarity with the everyday life of towns and cities, its openness to everyone without any preconditions, etc. Findings – In recent years some libraries have seen their financial resources reduced, or have remained stagnant in face of an increased demand for service. A first consideration in this context, which might be very hard but is unavoidable when faced with such a reality, is the need to rethink which services to keep and which to reduce or cancel if there is insufficient funding. At times it is necessary to choose what to do without. Originality/value – Public libraries are increasingly becoming more of a social space where all people can go for information, learning and culture, regardless of their age, level, training or background. The library as a resource, which in many cases is public, and which enables individuals to enjoy their right to information should be defended to the fullest in times such as these. Also, to the greatest extent possible, libraries should be used in a compensatory manner, targeting people with fewer resources who are in need of skills that enable them to return to the workplace or reduce the consequences of lack of income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explicate the universal theme of teamwork within organizations as a performance factor toward effective and efficient library cost savings and long-term group success. Design/methodology/approach – Focusing on lessons from the past, along with current research and experience, library managers can gain insight into tried and true actions increasing the potential for team success essential for smooth operations. Findings – A multitude of elements contribute to effective team management. The cultivation of creativity, the resolution and anticipation of conflict, the blending of physical and virtual interaction and a focus on external environments are key. Originality/value – This paper provides a comparison of current team dynamics with those of the past to show that merely the context of good team management has changed while the core goal of library team management has remained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — Aims to provide some answers to the question: ‘What does the future look like for libraries?’ Design/methodology/approach — The paper's approach is a review of various initiatives undertaken in the USA. Findings — All the projects show that a positive use of technology is taken. Originality/value —Provides information of value to all those involved with information management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a business plan for libraries to offer profitable passport services to patrons. Design/methodology/approach - Gives an overview of demographic, financial, and management profiles of California libraries that offer passport services. Presents a plan for introducing passport service in two California libraries. Findings - Current political and demographic environments for the two libraries make the introduction of passport services a potentially lucrative opportunity. Research limitations/implications - Little to no correlation was found between patron demographics of libraries currently offering passport services and the amount of revenue the services produce. Practical implications - Passport services may provide libraries a simple but effective way to supplement their budgets. Originality/value - Suggests an innovative way for libraries to increase relevance to patrons through services as well as create a stable funding source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Given the common theme of budget cuts, one library presents its award-winning story to provide information to a small community, extended from other common community and state resources. Design/methodology/approach - Explores how this library won the award of being the "Best small library in America". For those not knowledgeable of the geography of the USA, this winner is found in the most unlikely of places, Alaska, one of only two states not connected to the other 48 states. Given the unique way of approaching library service, one can see how the award was won. Findings - Several methods for living in a world of reduced funds include, thinking out of the proverbial box and doing things different ways; partnerships with organizations and grant institutions; doing events and programs for specific groups and involving the entire community in the process. Originality/value - On being seen as an award-winning institution, members of the library world often ask, "How did they win and we didn't?" or "How can we replicate the success which that institution is having?" This paper takes those questions and gives the authors a clear picture of how to accomplish success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This article aims to consider what libraries might be used for after machines become smarter than humans. Design/methodology/approach – The article considers how Vernor Vinge's novel Across Realtime and his essay "The coming technological singularity" inform possible library futures. Findings – Libraries might become havens for humans left out of the high-tech future, or museums for defunct technologies, or vanish completely. Originality/value – The article expands discussion of the library's future beyond the foreseeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on developments related to academic libraries in the U.S. David Moore, architect who design the main building of the new Greenville County Library in South Carolina has announced statistics during the 2006 Public Library Association Conference. The Goggle Book Search has announced its new partnership with publishers in the U.S. and Great Britain to sell online access of copies of books. On March 9, 2006, the Smithsonian Networks has launch to develop television programming.

The article reports on the renewal of the U.S. Patriot Act of 2001 that unveils the issue about the right to personal privacy and intellectual freedom in the U.S. last December 2005. In addition to this issue, the secret surveillance program of the National Security Agency's became publicly known. Further, the Senate intended to exclude some libraries from National Security Letters that demands libraries to turn over information. The author argued on these secrecy issues and the growing appearance of unlawfulness behind the wire tapping program.

Purpose – This article seeks to provide insight on how librarians managed through the recession. It aims to highlight key areas of concern such as budgets and personnel. It is the culmination of two surveys administered in the succeeding summers of 2009 and 2010. Design/methodology/approach – The library community was notified of the surveys and provided the surveys' link via numerous library listservs. The same listservs were used for each survey. The responses received were from representatives of academic, special and public libraries. Findings – An examination of the surveys reveals that budget cuts were worse in fiscal year (FY) 2009 than they were in 2010. Suggesting the cuts enacted in FY 2009 were effective thus less severe cuts were needed in FY 2010. Stress levels were high for FY 2009 and inched higher in FY 2010. There was no significant help, in terms of cost sharing for purchases, from the departments within the organizations the libraries served. Best practice suggestions were offered in many areas to include communication, purchasing and personnel. Originality/value – When the economy experiences a contraction, businesses, governments and the general population begins to rein in expenses. This affects libraries of all types, special, academic and public. The article explores how the library community dealt with this issue and provides information that generates problem solving ideas for those in budgetary and leadership roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the costs of public information. Articles about the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) tend to be rarities in daily newspapers. But, as a recent half-page article, "Chicago Tribune" pointed out that, over the last ten years the sales of GPO printed publications has dropped from more than $100 million a year to a little over $20 million. Clearly, they are dealing with rising costs, decreasing revenues, and proliferation of information. One of the solutions has been to publish increasing numbers of documents on the Internet. However, if government agencies continue to post their documents directly to the Internet, there is no guarantee that they will be preserved, as these agencies will continue to make documents available for the long term. And frankly, the long-term preservation of electronic files is a costly undertaking. Software and computers are updated at a pace the GPO's budget has not kept pace with. Nor is there any safeguard against fraudulent documents being posted to the database.

Purpose - To address the issue of using grant funding in the US public libraries. With reduced funding as in most public libraries, the three New York City library systems have partnered with the Urban Library Council (ULC), funded by The Wallace Foundation? to provide additional funds from these alternative sources of income. Design/methodology/approach - Explores the current programs and services offered at Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) under the grant-funded sources. In using the funds, this project gave the library a chance to directly connect its goals with the new funds, as well as meet new capacity-building goals to set the library in new directions. Findings - The new funding resulted in new staff, retooling positions and activities, task forces and committee work to give buy-in from different interested parties, and results included expanded services and programs. Originality/value - Beyond evaluating the need for the funding at this system, much success can be found in the city-wide collaboration found in this project with all three systems and the ULC working together on this project. These Tri-Li (three library system) working groups are just one of the many valuable elements of reading this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As many large, urban areas have struggled to maintain a questionable building or build a new public library, the federal city, Washington DC, is not without similar conflicts. Add a cast of characters of city level politicians; new land available and city owned blocks away; a sad, but realistic budget; a building designed by a world renowned architect, despite that it is falling down around patrons; and you have questions that have been ignored by officials for decades. The biggest question: What is the best way to revive a decrepit central library, and how do you pay for it? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To give a quick and easy approach to library advocacy, with regard to the ongoing needs of keeping in touch with stakeholders due to poor or reducing government funding for public libraries, librarians are in the situation of having to advocate in new and different ways. Design/methodology/approach - Given the state of New York and federal funding, this approach explores the best practices that anyone can apply to approach stakeholders and policy makers for more funding. Findings - Funding for libraries in the USA is often tied to "who" the library knows and this article gives a direct "how to" approach that can be used throughout the local, state or federal lobbying process. Especially in meeting the sophisticated demands of library users, this approach ties funding to patron activities, such as reading, electronic resources and programming. Originality/value - This snapshot on advocacy can give those in the front lines or new to the advocacy process a way to start thinking in new ways to getting an advocacy action plan in place. A web resource of state activities in the State of New York offers resources on advocacy, specifically targeted to library advocates. Other benefits include developing messages and building coalitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on various issues related to library finance in the U.S. The three libraries in Salinas, California were scheduled to close indefinitely for lack of revenue. The Salinas case is newsworthy because the voters of Salinas will decide if the reprieve is temporary or if there will be steady funding for the library. Although the outrage that followed the announcement of the closings has ensured an easy pass on the measure, it is apparently nothing to take for granted. Lynne Steele, president of the Friends of the Salinas Library, is surprised that there are people in the community who will need convincing that the libraries need a stronger revenue stream. Also, in Bedford, Texas, the library was able to reopen with a reduced schedule and program when an anonymous donor provided funding, which will be augmented with monies from fund-raising efforts by Friends of the Library and residents.