Reports results of unobtrusive testing of reference service (asking reference questions of library staff who are unaware of being evaluated) in government documents and central reference areas of 26 U.S. libraries. Accuracy of answers, interview and search process duration, referral, and use of catalog and technology are highlighted. (12…

Reviews arguments for and against fees for online services and describes a supply side model in which the library absorbs the costs of online searching. The implementation of this policy at an academic library is evaluated and detailed guidelines for implementing such a policy are provided. (CLB)

To determine if further library-services issues require more study and whether further initiatives should be undertaken, the Division for Library Services of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction conducted a focus-group study. Nineteen library directors from small public libraries took part. Eight services librarians or directors from…

Volume 2 comprises the appendices to the study reported in Volume 1. The following textual material is presented: (1) background material for the first regional meeting on reference referral in the state of California; (2) minutes and participation lists from the seven focus group meetings held from March 27 through April 23, 1986; (3) summaries…

Describes a study undertaken by San Jose State University of business-related ready reference searches done at that library. The results suggest that within certain restrictions of patron questions, librarian training, search cost, and the database, ready reference online searches can be the most cost effective approach to providing business…

This report summarizes the third phase of the Telecommunications Information Network (TIN), which provides a telecommunications link between four remote southwest Ohio hospitals and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, thereby reducing the isolation of healthcare providers at the remote hospitals. A description of the system explains the…

This document reports the findings of a study group charged with reviewing the current and future prospects for database searching and electronic access to information in the Library of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Specific points of interest include factors influencing the demand for these services, costs of providing the services,…

Reports the results of a survey which examined the response of academic libraries to the needs of deaf students in terms of reference services, staff interaction with students, bibliographic instruction, formal policies, and outreach programs. Several recommendations to improve library services to deaf students are presented. The questionnaire is…

Reports on the method and findings of a study which used unobtrusive testing to measure the accuracy and efficiency of search strategies by library personnel when dealing with the technical report literature. A copy of the test questions used in this study is appended. (CLB)

Focuses on role of school library media programs in the fostering of lifelong learning and development of information skills. Highlights include information use and users, access, instruction, consulting, attitude problems, personnel and economic issues, planning and evaluating programs, education of library media specialists, and information…

This study is the final report from the National Center for Education Statistics task force on redesign of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Following an executive summary outlining the need for changes and a series of recommendations, Section 1 details the reasons, goals, and processes involved in the IPEDS redesign.…

Public libraries are currently the conduit for local, state, and federal funds used to support reference referral and other reference-related functions in California. Given potential funding constraints, this 5-month study expanded its original scope--to assess the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) and the…

Data processing was introduced to public libraries in Hawaii in 1973 with a feasibility study which outlined the candidate areas for automation. Since then, the Office of Library Services has automated the order procedures for one of the largest book processing centers for public libraries in the country; created one of the first COM…

Describes an exchange program between academic libraries in Sichuan Province and Washington State University, and discusses the Chinese approach to academic librarianship in the areas of management and personnel, access and circulation, automation, reference services, collection development and censorship, and library facilities. (CLB)

The goal of Maine's Dissemination Capacity Building Project--the Information Exchange--is to build a comprehensive system for disseminating current information resources to Maine educators at every organizational level. This report begins with an abstract describing three major components of the information exchange: (1) a computerized information…