Ten law librarians, at one private and three academic law libraries, were studied to ascertain what types of reference services they provide to their patrons. The current model employed in public libraries today was used as the baseline against which to measure these legal reference services. This model employs five traditional categories of:…

This study concerned pre-school programming in public libraries and the impact of such programs on (1) the circulation of children's books and (2) the number of children visiting the library. The hypothesis was that effective programming for pre-schoolers increases the number of children coming to the library, which, in turn, increases…

A data comparison was made between 33 rural libraries in Utah and the essentially rural bookmobile service maintained by the Extension Services Division of the State Library Commission of Utah. The comparison revealed that, in terms of cost per item circulated, bookmobile service was slightly more expensive. Using cost per capita served as a…

This study examines the interlibrary loan requests made to NEOUCOM's (Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine) Oliver Ocasek Regional Medical Information Center in Rootstown, OH from its associated council hospital libraries. A total of 636 interlibrary loan requests from the period July 1994-July 1995 were analyzed. Components of the…

This paper describes a study designed to determine the status of the vertical file in public high school libraries in one Illinois county. The purpose of the study was to examine how vertical files were maintained, promoted, and used in the libraries. The data were collected via telephone and on-site interviews. All 22 library media centers in…

This paper reports on a study that analyses the questions asked and services offered at the information desk in the reference department at the Kent State University main library. A total of 460 questions asked during 52 hours of scheduled time at the information desk in Spring 1997 were categorized. The main types of questions were directional;…

The critical incident technique was used to identify several environmental dimensions relevant to the assessment of a college library, in this case the Cook Library of Towson State College, Maryland. Students were asked to fill out forms describing positive and negative encounters with the library and library staff and to complete a general…

In recent years there has been a push for libraries to develop and use systematic measures to determine the effectiveness of library service. Materials availability, or fill rate, is one of many output measures used in libraries. This technique measures the degree to which library customers are able to acquire the materials they want during their…

A survey was mailed to head librarians at 118 American art museum libraries to determine the nature and extent of their libraries' services to the public. In addition to some baseline demographic information, survey questions focused on: (1) the types of information sought by the public; (2) the degree to which the public is allowed access to the…

This paper reports on a study conducted to determine if staffing changes were necessary at the information desk at the main branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library (Ohio). Questions addressed included: (1) What times are busiest in the library? (2) Should there be changes in staffing the reference desk that could lead to…

This paper reports on a study in which case studies of two adult writing programs in northeastern Ohio were developed to identify and describe elements that make up the programs. Data was gathered through obtrusive observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Both programs had been on going for at least 5 years. The "Geauga Writers…

A general methodology for cost effectiveness analysis was developed and applied to the Colorado State University library loan desk. The cost effectiveness of the existing semi-automated circulation system was compared with that of a fully manual one, based on the existing manual subsystem. Faculty users' time and computer operating costs were…

A study was conducted at the University of Denver to compare the effectiveness of microfiche as opposed to textbooks, photocopying, or reserve room reading for a library science reading assignment. Assigned material was copied on microfiche and given to each student. The results were measured by analyzing data gathered using student diaries,…

This paper covers the history of the Canton Public/Stark County District Library (CPL), focusing on the years 1929-1997. The paper focuses on the broadening of the library's services, including the development of reference services, service to young adults, and a variety of outreach activities. A literature review discusses the history of the…

This investigative study, through a questionnaire survey, was conducted to determine if public libraries in Ohio saw a need for library programs/outreach to the homeless, and if, indeed, any libraries had a structured program to serve the special needs of the homeless population. One library from each Ohio county was selected through systematic…