1987 Final Exams Questions

Discuss the economic and political factors which are currently influencing the nature of library collection development.
As the administrator of a library of your choice (e.g., academic, school, public, special) discuss the steps you would take to increase library use.
Discuss how on-line or manual information storage affects the results of retrieval. Use examples where appropriate. From the perspective of the information searcher, how would you modify current methods of storage in order to improve retrieval?
It has been argued that libraries no longer qualify as "public goods," (i.e., vital to the public welfare), that they stand in direct (and unfair) competition with the private (for profit) sector of the U.S. information industry. Contrast the position of both sides of the issue and outline your own views on the matter.
Discuss how the role of the information intermediary (e.g., the reference librarian or public services librarian) has changed over the last decade or so.

One of the major points made in the recent book, In Search of Excellence is: "Stay close to your client." Moreover, many librarians express the desire to be more service-oriented. As the director of a library you have decided that you would like to increase/improve services to your users. How would you go about planning it?
Over the past decade we have seen a steady attempt on the part of the federal government to "privatize" the government's information dissemination role. Define the "privatization" of information; consider the implications of the privatization of government information for libraries; and finally, consider the possible impacts such a move might have on the society in general.
Discuss four major issues relating to library collections, and collection development, which have received the widespread attention of the profession in recent years.
For some years we have read in the social science literature of the need for change--further that education is a vehicle for change in our culture. Describe how a library could become a more effective agent for change.
Of late we hear much talk of a "paperless library" in the future. Define this concept, outline the way its acceptance would change traditional librarianship, and state your own opinion as to the likelihood of the emergence of "paperless libraries".

In your opinion, what are five of the most significant issues currently facing the library community as a whole in its attempt to provide society with effective access to information? Discuss.
In libraries and information agencies the impact of technology was first seen in the technical processes in libraries. Today, however, reference and information services for the user have been affected. How do libraries and information agencies make use of technology in the delivery of services- to their clients?
Today many libraries are replacing their card catalogs with on-line catalogs. What factors should be considered in making this replacement an effective and efficient transition. Consider these factors both from the library's and the user's perspectives.
From the perspective of a type of library (e.g., public, academic, special, school-media center) discuss four important ethical issues facing the informtion professional where ethical issues are those issues which deal with things to be sought and avoided in the behavior of the information professional.
What are some of the most important factors (e.g., procedures, criteria, etc. which should be considered in the assessment of staff performance in libraries? Discuss.