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The fee policy, charging practices and problems of database searching in Finland are reviewed. The article is based on 24 interviews with experienced searchers in Spring 1991; one third working in public libraries, one third in academic libraries and one third in special libraries or information bureaux in the area of social sciences. No two interviewees were from the someplace of work. Each library sector follows different charging practices. At present, public library database searches are free of charge. In academic libraries fee policy and charging practices vary considerably from one library to another. In special libraries or information bureaux, current fee policy seems to be quite clear; database searches are carried out mainly for the members of parent organisations but external use is restricted. Problems connected with charging vary accordingly. In public libraries non‐charging policy has caused an accumulation of searches and resources for them are insufficient. In academic libraries the foremost fee problems relate to the heterogeneous and ambiguous nature of charging practice. In special libraries or information bureaux the situation is not so problematic. The fee policy, charging practice and problems faced differ between various organisations and so do the challenges that libraries will face in the near future as regards fees for database searches.

This paper uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodology to analyse differences between Finnish and American web searchers (n=27 per country) in their choice of initial search strategies (direct address, subject directory and search engines) and their reasoning underlying these choices, with data gathered via a questionnaire. The paper looks at these differences for four types of questions with two variables: closed/open and predictable/unpredictable source of answer (n=16 questions per searcher; total n=864 questions). The paper found significant differences between the two groups’ initial search strategies and for three of the four types of questions. The reasoning varied across countries and questions as well, with Finns mentioning fewer reasons although both groups mentioned in aggregate a total of 1,284 reasons in twenty‐four reason categories. The reasoning indicated that both country groups considered not only question‐related reasons but also source‐ and search‐strategy related reasons in making their decision. The research raises questions about considering cultural differences in designing web search access mechanisms.

To explore the nature of the university's knowledge processes and to specify the library's role in these processes.

A theoretical framework for strategic management based on the concepts of the value constellation of networked enterprises and the knowledge processes is applied along with the concept of a strategic partnership to indicate the library's new role within the university.

The library's role in the generative knowledge processes is likely to become the major managerial challenge. Its role in the productive knowledge processes will increase, and in the representative knowledge processes it will diversify.

The same research object could be approached empirically from a multidisciplinary perspective, i.e. the transforming research and teaching processes and enhancement of the library's role in them. The impact of the library's intellectual capital on the university's intellectual capital should be examined in terms of performance assessment in theory and practice.

Illuminative examples indicate how libraries can take a more proactive, strategic role in practice.

This timely paper develops a sound theoretical basis on which the library can be understood as a vital member of a strategic partnership in the management of the university's intellectual capital. It is a significant application to library management of theory from outside the field. The paper is rich in stimulating ideas, and should be of considerable interest to a wide readership.

This paper aims to analyse the impact of university libraries by investigating the availability of the references of dissertations in the university's own library, special attention being given to the electronic availability of cited works.

Citation analysis was used. Ten dissertations of economics and administration from two Finnish universities were analysed. The dissertations were completed in 2005‐2006. The comparison of the availability of references in two different universities – i.e. a large, multidisciplinary university and a small, specialised university – was carried out.

The availability of the references of dissertations was good in both universities. A large number of references, especially journal articles, were already available electronically. The university libraries have a significant role in contributing to doctoral studies because they offer access to adequate information resources.

The sample is quite limited: only two Finnish universities and ten dissertations were included in the data. The good availability of references might result from doctoral students' unwillingness to search outside sources. However, doctoral students do not cite all sources that they read. The impact of the library on doctoral studies could be even bigger than can be shown by citation analysis.

The paper indicates that citation analysis is a good tool in promoting the library's impact.

The paper emphasises that the impact of libraries can be demonstrated by presenting the visibility of their collections in dissertations. Because of the rapid change of information environment, the study considered the availability of electronic sources of dissertations. An interesting comparison between two different universities was carried out.