Management of Federally Sponsored Libraries: Case Studies and Analysis

Managers from seven federally sponsored libraries in the United States describe in detail their roles and responsibilities. Each librarian writes about the management of his or her own facility and highlights significant features about its collection and services. Management of Federally Sponsored Libraries brings together in one place detailed descriptions of the scope and strengths of federal libraries, the kinds of services they provide, and the manner in which they function. The book provides readers with a unique opportunity to learn about such libraries from the manager's point of view and shows how these facilities are organized, how they use their resources, what equipment and services exist for interlibrary loans and for reference services, and what databases they use to serve patrons.

Management of Federally Sponsored Libraries provides a record of the variety of information services being offered by federal libraries in the U.S. and contains insight into how federal managers view their roles and carry out their duties. Distinguished librarians present down-to-earth discussions of what actually happens in the course of business in their libraries. They discuss principles of management, but more importantly, show how these principles apply to the operation of their libraries. A final chapter summarizes the responsibilities of federal librarians and provides an insightful overview of ways to meet the goals and requirements of such organizations.

The in-depth coverage of this book provides readers in the general public, as well as librarians, with an exceptional source of information on library services and management. Chapters view a cross-section of various types of libraries, discussing the:

• National Library of Medicine
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• Research Library of the Federal Reserve System
• Sixth Circuit Library for the United States Courts
• U.S. Senate Library
• Pentagon Library
• Redstone Scientific Information Center
  
  Management of Federally Sponsored Libraries is useful to librarians and information professionals in a wide sphere of disciplines, for those readers with much experience in their profession as well as for students just starting to get acquainted with the broad spectrum of libraries and information centers in existence. Among readers who will find this book a valuable and timely source of information are federal librarians, information resource managers, government researchers, special librarians, and graduate students in library science.