Draws on current social science literature and applies it to the library reference setting in order to identify the symptoms of burnout in reference librarians. Remedies are suggested for individuals afflicted by burnout. A reference list and bibliography are included. (JL)

Discusses the changes necessitated as the Library of Congress moves towards adoption of "Anglo-American Cataloging Rules 2 (AACR 2)," increases its use of automation in technical service procedures, and explores how such changes will disrupt a patron's ability to find materials or information locally. (Author)

Describes what is happening concerning developmental information service guidelines published by the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association (ALA) in 1976 and discusses evaluation guidelines for reference/information services of libraries. (Author/JD)

Briefly reviews the current developments in public access catalogs and poses questions for the public service librarian. (FM)

This discussion of the issue of confidentiality or privacy in reference service describes similarities to other professions and explores the legal ramifications of confidentiality. Suggestions are offered to complement official professional guidelines in this area. Twenty references are listed. (MES)

Describes the nature of listening behavior and demonstrates how the technique of active listening can be an appropriate approach to enhancing communication between librarians and library patrons during the reference interview. Examples of active listening at the reference desk and suggestions on the effective use of this skill are provided.…

Identifies a conflict between the kind of reference service that many librarians of tax-supported academic and public libraries have accepted as workable within their institutions and the kind of reference service that has evolved for those who can pay for online bibliographic searches in these same libraries. (Author)

Examines possible rules governing reference interviews: needs rule, wants rule, face value rule, and clarification rule. Face value rule is defended as a legitimate expression of one conception of the reference librarian's professional role, implying a restricted view of librarians' responsibility for outcome of reference inquiries. (MBR)

Using two sets of verbal protocols, three kinds of memory used by librarians for organizing facts are described and identified as they relate to the reference process--semantic (organizes things into categories), episodic (experiences), schematic (expectations). Implications for practice, education, and further research are suggested. Twenty-four…

Discusses the benefits to patrons and librarians of integrating online database searching with traditional reference services, and makes recommendations for maximizing those benefits. (Author/JD)

Reviews the literature on online bibliographic databases for secondary sources in history. The effect of online databases on the reference process is discussed, and the principal databases in the field are introduced. Areas for future research are suggested, and 23 references are listed. (Author/MES)

This study examined the importance of negative searching, or searching to discover topics not previously explored in writing, and its oversight in the library literature. A survey of university faculty revealed a tendency to view negative searching as necessary to scholarly endeavors, but an online literature search showed little discussion of…

The director of the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements describes the "Mental Measurements Yearbook,""Tests in Print," the institute's online database, its symposium, and symposium books. Suggestions to librarians for increasing effectiveness of service to users of tests are included. (Author/EM)

Examines cultural and personal factors which may affect an individual's request for medical information from a librarian and the concept of the librarian as "educator-catalyst" working with health care professionals, highlighting self-destructive tendencies of society, negative effects of some advertising, the flood tide of health…

Provides an individual's response to article by Dr. Paul Kay in the same issue of "RQ" regarding the use of health care information. Patron's health-related needs, the role of the librarian, the reference interview, and bibliotherapy are highlighted. Five references are listed. (EJS)