Intended as a text in courses on academic libraries and librarianship, this book provides a fresh look at the environment of colleges and universities that can benefit practicing academic librarians. In an astute examination of the content and function of academic libraries, the author includes a detailed analysis of the workings of higher education as they affect libraries and information services. Rather than focusing on management issues, Budd considers the organizational culture of colleges and universities and of their libraries. Throughout the text he pays special attention to the creation and structure of scholarly communication in all media (print and electronic) and to the communities served by academic libraries. Of necessity, the analysis includes political and social as well as intellectual forces that operate in higher education.