This article explores the different steps involved in adopting a new service model at the University of Arizona Science-Engineering Library. In a time of shrinking budgets and changing user behavior the library was forced to rethink it reference services to be cost effective and provide quality service at the same time. The new model required…

This booklet, one of a series of background papers for the White House Conference, presents information and referral services as one of the ways libraries are developing programs to discharge their responsibilities to the public they serve. It details the determination of a woman librarian in Detroit to develop the first comprehensive I&R…

After undertaking the time and energy consuming task of reference assessment, the library might discover that it needs to tweak delivery of service, weed and update the collection, upgrade workstations, or advance marketing strategies to get patrons to use reference materials and services. Like any other product or service, reference departments…

Discusses the applications of online systems and other computerized systems in public library information and referral (I&R) services. A number of specific examples are presented and computer equipment and software relevant to I&R services are listed in two tables. A 10-item reference list and an appendix of I&R projects are attached. (JL)

This description of the reference services available at the Joseph W. England Library, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Pennsylvania, discusses users and types of requests and focuses on the referral service utilizing faculty consultants. Sample referral questions and guidelines for referral are noted. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Describes the reference project of the Public Library of Columbus and Franklin County (PLCFC), Ohio, that uses a system of cassette-like tapes accessible by telephone to provide medical and health related information. (JD)

Discusses library reference services. Topics include the historical development of reference services; instruction in library use, particularly in college and university libraries; guidance; information and referral services and how they differ from traditional question-answering service; and future concerns, including user fees and the planning…

Presents a description of PLEXUS, an expert system on gardening designed as a referral tool for public libraries by the University of London. Highlights include determining user characteristics, developing the problem statement, the use of semantic categories, and search strategies that modify the original problem statement using Boolean…

Contains papers presented at the Cooperative Reference Service Committee program during the 1981 ALA Annual Conference, including discussions of the Library of Congress Reference Correspondence Referral program, the University of Illinois Slavic Reference Service, the functions of the British Library Lending Division, and national-level…

Profile of the Houston Public Library, which was established in 1904, covers the opening of a new central library building in 1976, library services and collections, the building of branch libraries including a portable mall facility, information and referral programs to ethnic groups and business, and development of library automated systems.…

Describes three ways in which libraries use computers to enhance reference services: "Answers," the community information and referral service at Memorial Hall Library, Andover, Massachusetts; the Hot Topics File at State University of New York/Oswego, Penfield Library; and features of RLIN and WLN databases which make them valuable…

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 multifaceted evaluation of the Brandeis model of reference services, which included how the model was defined, direct observation of librarians, unobtrusive study, and a focus group project to gauge patron response. Results of the study and needed improvements are discussed. A sidebar article describes the Brandeis model. (22…

This report summarizes some of the key findings of a survey of the Connecticut public that was conducted as part of the Year of the Library Project by the Institute for Social Inquiry at the University of Connecticut. The purpose of the study was to explore public attitudes that might be relevant to improve and broaden use of library services. The…

Five papers discuss topics related to the USMARC Community Information Format (CIF), including using CIF to create a public service resource network; development of a CIF-based database of materials relating to multicultural and differently-abled populations; background on CIF; development of an information and referral database; and CIF and…