Academic Libraries : Their Rationale and Role in American Higher Education

At the end of the 20th century, college and university libraries face enormous challenges and opportunities. As campuses move into the information age, the mission and role of the library is being redefined. While the amount of information libraries need to acquire continues to increase, the resources available to do so are insufficient. Moreover, administrators need to assess the relationship between the library and the computer center, as both fight for limited resources.

This book offers academic administrators and librarians a better understanding of the issues facing the library during this time of change and the role of the library in the evolving campus of the future. Chapters are written by expert contributors, who reflect a range of perspectives and experience. The authors treat such current and emerging issues as the future of printed material in the library, the role of the library in instruction, the library and the larger campus community, the training and development of personnel for the future, library expenditures at a time when technology quickly becomes obsolete, and the future of academic libraries.

GERARD B. McCABE is Director of Libraries at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and the Series Adviser for the Greenwood Library Management Collection. His books include Insider's Guide to Library Automation (1993), Academic Libraries in Urban and Metropolitan Areas (1992), Operations Handbook for the Small Academic Library (1989), and The Smaller Academic Library (1988), all published by Greenwood Press.

RUTH J. PERSON is Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ashland University. She is the author of several professional papers on library management.