Abstract
This paper, CAUSE Professional Paper #18, addresses the practice of merging computing and library organizations on campus, based on data the author collected in a spring 1997 survey and a focus group discussion among chief information officers with information resources responsibilities (meaning merged computing and library functions). The paper includes a discussion of history and trends related to this organizational model, what factors make this decision "right" for an institution and factors that preclude success, recruiting and hiring the CIO, first steps in creating the new organization, and several very useful appendices (including a list of institutions with this merged model, sample organization charts, and sample advertisements for CIO positions.