Managing Our Academic Libraries: Ways and Means

There is a new library ecology in which interdependence is the dominant force , and the establishment of new operating mechanisms (such as a national periodicals center and a national library agency) is discussed. Funds in the amounts required to meet libraries' traditional needs will not be forthcoming, and thus libr.aries must transform themselves and make substantial changes in their operations. There is also the need for better ways to set basic policies that determine a library's capabilities, costs, and services. In their management academic libraries have not done as well as their parent institutions in developing reliable data and in putting them to use. But while libraries need the attributes of scientific management, they must not make the mistake of thinking library management is only a science.