Planning in the University Library - (New Directions in Information Management) by Stanton F Biddle (Hardcover)

About the Book

Comprehensive planning has become an essential element in the management of the modern university library. The purpose of this book is to help those now engaged in this important management function by summarizing the history of academic library planning and analyzing its practice in a group of major libraries over the past several decades. The most significant changes confronting academic libraries for the past several decades have been technological, social, and economic. Strategic planning is used as the tool for making these libraries more responsive to their environments and for helping them anticipate and prepare for change. Stanton F. Biddle examines the extent to which strategic planning is being employed, analyzes the planning documents, and develops guidelines for improving the quality of future planning efforts.

The volume begins with a discussion of strategic or long-range planning taken from the literature of management and organizational theory. The next chapter reviews the historical development of large academic libraries and the history of the application of contemporary management theories and practices to their administrations through the 1970s. The following chapter focuses on the widespread dissatisfaction with traditional approaches to library management in the 1960s and 1970s. The next two chapters compare library planning source documents, and the final chapter concludes with recommendations.

Book Synopsis

Comprehensive planning has become an essential element in the management of the modern university library. The purpose of this book is to help those now engaged in this important management function by summarizing the history of academic library planning and analyzing its practice in a group of major libraries over the past several decades. The most significant changes confronting academic libraries for the past several decades have been technological, social, and economic. Strategic planning is used as the tool for making these libraries more responsive to their environments and for helping them anticipate and prepare for change. Stanton F. Biddle examines the extent to which strategic planning is being employed, analyzes the planning documents, and develops guidelines for improving the quality of future planning efforts.

The volume begins with a discussion of strategic or long-range planning taken from the literature of management and organizational theory. The next chapter reviews the historical development of large academic libraries and the history of the application of contemporary management theories and practices to their administrations through the 1970s. The following chapter focuses on the widespread dissatisfaction with traditional approaches to library management in the 1960s and 1970s. The next two chapters compare library planning source documents, and the final chapter concludes with recommendations.

Review Quotes

?Stanton Biddle has provided the profession with an excellent historical account of the development of planning in academic libraries and valuable insights on the characteristics and direction of planning efforts over the past decade. This work will be an important addition to the required reading list for my graduate seminar on planning for libraries.?-The Library Quarterly

?This is a sound thorough study of planning in the American academic library.?-ALR

?This is a well-researched and very informative book which more than fulfills its purpose--as an aid to those involved in the management of university libraries by placing academic library planning in an historical context, and by the analysis of such practice in major libraries. Essential reading for library administrators and for professionals interested in the history and development of library planning.?-Education Libraries

?Though the historical sections of the work are directed towards the academic library the concept of strategic planning and the analysis Biddle brings to the topic are suitable for all types of libraries and information centers. I can highly recommend this book for library administrators in all fields of librarianship.?-Information Processing Management

"Stanton Biddle has provided the profession with an excellent historical account of the development of planning in academic libraries and valuable insights on the characteristics and direction of planning efforts over the past decade. This work will be an important addition to the required reading list for my graduate seminar on planning for libraries."-The Library Quarterly

"This is a sound thorough study of planning in the American academic library."-ALR

"Though the historical sections of the work are directed towards the academic library the concept of strategic planning and the analysis Biddle brings to the topic are suitable for all types of libraries and information centers. I can highly recommend this book for library administrators in all fields of librarianship."-Information Processing Management

"This is a well-researched and very informative book which more than fulfills its purpose--as an aid to those involved in the management of university libraries by placing academic library planning in an historical context, and by the analysis of such practice in major libraries. Essential reading for library administrators and for professionals interested in the history and development of library planning."-Education Libraries

About the Author

STANTON F. BIDDLE is Professor and Administrative Services Librarian at Baruch College, The City University of New York (CUNY). He is the author of numerous professional articles and has contributed chapters to professional books. He is President of the Librarians Association of CUNY and President-Elect of the ALA Black Caucus.