Search results

The aim of this paper is to research the effectiveness of different forms of performance management and to trace the factors which influence these effectiveness. In order to better emphasize the context dimensions, it also aims to study two municipal processes in the Dutch public sector, i.e. treatment of building permits and the establishment of environmental policy papers.

The study analyses 57 Dutch municipalities on performance management.

The research shows that management should not intervene nor should it focus on the process itself, contrary to what is normally thought and done. This study also points out that the type of management on output is more important for the effectiveness than the context of the processes. The conclusion may be drawn that process control will lead to less effectiveness in almost all cases. Effective output management should be confined to a combination of input and output control. Although the general management has the tendency to engage in the way processes are conducted, it will need to resist this tendency as much as possible. In addition, intermediate control is ineffective. In the investigated processes more capacity was needed when the general management exercised intermediate control, regardless of the mode. This conclusion is at odds with the widely endorsed desirability and need for intermediate control (monitoring). Control ex ante, in contrast, increases effectiveness in every case. The impression arises that opting for less control (only ex ante and not on processes) makes the type of management more effective.

Output management will have to take the context into account, but also give decentralized managers sufficient degrees of freedom. In order to decentralize adequately, the correct type of management will need to be chosen. Although most authors endorse the importance of context and believe the possibility of output management to be almost completely dependent on this context, this study shows that the effectiveness of output management is virtually entirely dictated by the chosen type of management, no matter the context. The type of management allocating as much freedom to decentralized management as possible, offers the best basis for effective action. Paradoxically, general management could maximize its effectiveness by interfering as little as possible with the process at stake.

Because of online digital resources, academic libraries no longer need to spend as much time and energy organizing their own collections as they used to. They now have an opportunity to pivot their expertise in organizing information outward. “Inside-out” library services can include support for special collections, digital scholarship, scholarly communication, and data management. A key characteristic of such services is that an academic library takes on broader information management challenges at their college or university. This chapter will examine what it takes to build successful inside-out library services by looking at their cost, how well they complement existing library expertise and culture, and their impact on teaching, research, and the wider community.

This paper aims to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.

The approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and websites.

The ups and downs of document supply activity are noted this quarter. Clearly there is still great potential in the lending of returnables and for excellent services backed up by good marketing. The scholarly communication system comes under intense scrutiny in the literature. Technological change is perceived to be accelerating but the hybrid library will always be present. Open access continues to develop rapidly but its direction and potential continue to divide the profession. Increasing concerns continue to be expressed about the monopolistic implications of Google and there are some stout counter‐arguments. All now depends on the legal judgment to be made in the Autumn.

The paper is a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.

To report on the 25th Anniversary Charleston Conference held in November 2005.

Reviews the main points from the conference.

Finds that the conference contains much practical advice from publishers and suppliers. Topics covered included Google and copyright, ProQuest and web searching, and journal impact factors. The subject of shared collections was a common theme.

A report of value to information management professionals.

Conference report from a state serials conference which explored changing roles of serials as products and technical service librarians reviewing several key sessions.

Coverage and description of papers and presentations at this meeting with highlights.

Varied with the session but conclusions indicate that electronic serials are posing increasing challenges to the selection, processing and archiving of resources.

Living with changes and working through challenges in the treatment of serials suggests that local practices gain significance and not all institutions must comply with the same model.

Conference attendance at this kind of regional meeting is valuable.

Will be of interest to selectors, reference librarians and staff in technical services, and the online vendor and information provider communities. Particular emphasis given to new open access publications.

The purpose of this paper is to describe one university library's use of the Espresso Book Machine® (EBM), an innovative publishing technology that provides new options for matching content delivery to user needs. The paper aims to provide insight into the University of Michigan Library's experience with version 1.5 of this patented, integrated machine that automates the printing, binding, and trimming of softcover books from digital files.

The paper describes the machine's technology, the Library's impetus for purchase, services currently offered and plans for future uses, as well as advantages and challenges of owning a machine.

Although relatively new and still undergoing refinement, the Espresso Book Machine® technology can add value to library services by providing high quality, cost‐effective print options not otherwise available to the campus community and beyond. Specific advantages include speed, flexibility, access to networked content, and low‐cost output. Improvements by On Demand Books to the search and display capabilities of the EspressNet catalog will be needed in order to maximize the catalog's usefulness.

Apart from a brief discussion of a paper published about the University of Utah's Marriott Library experience, this paper does not include a survey or report of other EBM‐owning institutions and ways in which the machines are being used at those locations. Experiences may vary among EBM owners based on a number of factors.

Other academic institutions considering the purchase of an EBM may benefit from an in‐depth report of the University of Michigan's experience.