An academic librarian answered 24 questions using reference books, then tried to answer the same questions using an Internet search engine (Metacrawler). Evaluates the results of the Internet searches and discusses implications for library reference services and reference book publishers; Internet user expectations and satisfaction; and librarians…

Describes experiences in providing real-time online reference services to users with remote Web access at the Bowling Green State University library. Discusses the decision making process first used to select HumanClick software to communicate via chat; and the selection of a fee-based customer service product, Virtual Reference Desk. (LRW)

Discusses library services at the University of Tennessee to reach off-campus and distance education students. Topics include online research; email; library instruction for faculty and students; Web interfaces; fax; telephone service; chat technology; the library's Web page; virtual classrooms; library links from a course management system; and…

Compares and analyzes job advertisements for catalogers and reference librarians in academic libraries from 1971 to 1990 to trace the impact of automation on job requirements and qualifications. Findings indicate that computer skills are needed, and there are more entry-level jobs being posted for both groups. (Author/JMV)

This guide is the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Libraries' quick reference tool for providing information about its collections, facilities, and services. The articles are arranged in an alphabetic, dictionary format with numerous cross-references, and highlight information on the following: administrative offices; company annual reports;…

Academic reference librarians can enhance the campus cultural diversity of colleges and universities by displaying sensitivity at the reference desk; understanding multicultural group behaviors; avoiding stereotyped attitudes; appreciating a wide range of cognitive style differences; striving to make multicultural students feel comfortable;…

This report discusses the planning and implementation of the holistic librarian concept (i.e., the integration of public and technical services) at the McFarlin Library at the University of Tulsa (Oklahoma). The use of automation in the university libraries, which made the changes possible, and the total reorganization of the structure of work…

This study describes two surveys of the users of the Public Documents and Maps Department of the Duke University Library. The information gathered in the course of this inquiry is reported: (1) in a profile of the users of the department's reference service, and (2) in a comparison and analysis of the evaluations of reference encounters by both…

Undertaken for a doctoral dissertation, this research project on reference services tested a model of major variables that influence academic library reference service outcomes. The study focused on reference librarians who serve in boundary spanning roles, i.e., positions where interchange with the organization's external environment is central…

This report describes a five-part study conducted at the Brigham Young University library during the winter semester of 1987 to assess the quality of the reference service provided to library patrons by student reference assistants (SRAs) after a full semester of SRA participation in the reference patron service system. The study focused on…

This annotated bibliography lists 37 reference sources for small and medium sized public and academic libraries, categorized by subject area. These titles were selected by the Reference Sources Committee of the Reference and Adult Services Division of the American Library Association. (CLB)

Randomly selected faculty from four state universities in Texas were surveyed to determine the degree to which the library and its resources influenced their decisions to accept university positions. Responses to the questionnaire reveal that faculty may take libraries for granted, as they are not exploited in faculty recruitment. (Author/CLB)

Examines the commitment to bibliographic instruction in academic research libraries by comparing the existing instructional practices, clienteles, staff involvement, and support structure in those libraries having bibliographic instruction coordinators with those in which the instructional programs are still managed directly by reference…

The library's role in helping the social or behavioral scientist find bibliographic material is explained, and methods for the retrieval of bibliographic information are given. A table giving titles of relevant abstracts and indexes also provides time spans covered, frequencies of publication, disciplines for which each is useful. (Author/MLW)

This 16-article issue focuses on history, policy, services, users, organization, evaluation, and automation of the archival reference process. Collections at academic research libraries, a technical university, Board of Education, business archives, a bank, labor and urban archives, a manuscript repository, religious archives, and regional history…