Sci-tech Library Research Articles

Who Chooses Sci-Tech Librarianship?

Why and how do librarians and graduate students decide to enter the field of sci-tech librarianship? A survey was created and distributed using e-mail discussion groups to answer this question. Factors relevant in this decision were solicited from both practicing sci-tech librarians and library school students. The three hundred eleven respondents included personal opinions and anecdotes in their replies. Topics discussed included the influence of a sci-tech background on job performance and professional association membership. In addition, some questions dealt with perceived expectations about sci-tech librarianship and their outcomes. Most of the respondents had come into sci-tech library positions with some type of background.

Changing Requirements for Sci-Tech Library Buildings

Changing Requirements for Sci-Tech Library Buildings

Budgeting and Financial Planning for Scientific and Technical Libraries

Several factors, none unique in themselves, combine to make sci-tech libraries and information centers particularly complex operations for which to budget. Those factors are, the minimal intertial/program-specific nature of the organizations supported, extensive use of online databases, and proportionately very large expenditures for serials. in consequence sci-tech library budgeting requires particular emphasis upon program budgeting, charging back for services, serials management, the maintenance of strategic service, and upon financial politics. This article discusses these ramifications and makes recommendations for budgeting in a sci-tech library context.

Managing the Branch Corporate Sci-Tech Library:

The organization and definition of the branch corporate sci-tech library are discussed. Managing the branch library involves skills in the areas of research, subject expertise, collection development, supervision, time management and public relations. The branch library's relationship to the main library and the advantages and limitations of the branch library are covered. Future trends and quality issues for the branch library are included.

Planning, Budgeting and Personnel Management in a Scientific Library of the Federal Government:

Planning, budgeting, and personnal management as practiced in a sci-tech library of an Executive Agency in a the Federal government are discussed. Examples of particular planning accomplishments are provided, a budget cycle is detailed, and some of the dynamics of the personnel process are reviewed.