Fiscal austerity in libraries has forced some administrators to consider alternatives such as computerized reference services or non-professional staff at the reference desk for reducing the cost of professional reference service. (JAB)

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)

Discussion of the guidelines which were prepared "to establish a conceptual framework of service" for all libraries by the Standards Committee of the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) of the American Library Association. (JAB)

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.…

This report includes an account of the RASD program of the American Library Association at the 1979 Dallas Conference with an annotated bibliography on guidelines for information services, and a questionnaire distributed at the RASD Business Reference Services Committee meeting at Dallas, with tabulated results. (JD)

Good reference librarians need to be good interviewers. Unfortunately most librarians have not learned to use the technique of open questions to obtain information about the user and what he is looking for. Examples of open and closed questions with typical responses are given. (4 references) (DH)

This section contains: A Librarians Teaching Experience--Some Reflections,'' Undergraduate Reference Aids,'' Politics of Press Proliferation,'' Local History Organized,'' Readex Microprint and the GPO,'' Teasdal-Rossett, Ghost,'' Hospital Reference Service,'' Service to the Spanish Speaking,'' The Oral History Program,'' An Overview of…

Argues for the creation of a genealogy and history file in libraries, using the Bristol (Virginia-Tennessee) Public Library experience. As an extension of the library's collection, the file also provides access to the private collections of participants and offers users a means of obtaining selective information quickly and inexpensively. (JD)

Examines two traditional approaches to the measurement of library service--the gathering of circulation and reference statistics--and relates them in a statistical model in an attempt to define real standards against which a library's activity can be compared. Graphs comparing reference and circulation statistics are included. (Author/JD)

No one source for locating government documents on a given subject exists. Librarians responding to a questionnaire indicated dissatisfaction with even the most used source, the Monthly Catalog''. Subject retrieval, other sources, and suggestions from librarians are discussed. (5 references) (DH)

Examines the provision of in-person help to users seeking information on online public access catalogs (OPACs). A significant change in the demand for service was identified when there was a change from offering traditional from-the-desk service to point-of-use help at the OPAC terminals. Results suggest that while it is important to continue to…

Discusses the problems, benefits, and future of cooperative library reference services in five separate papers: (1) keynote address; (2) interlibrary reference communication; (3) quality control; (4) computerized cooperative reference; and (5) national reference service. (JD)

The online search evaluation form recommended by the Machine-Assisted Reference Section Committee on Measurement and Evaluation of Service of the American Library Association is discussed. Each of the 10 questions recommended for inclusion and questions rejected as inappropriate are analyzed. Eleven references and the Search Evaluation…