Any librarian who has managed electronic resources has experienced the--for want of words--"joy" of gathering and analyzing usage statistics. Such statistics are important for evaluating the effectiveness of resources and for making important budgeting decisions. Unfortunately, the data are usually tedious to collect, inconsistently organized, of…

Computer-based circulation systems, it is widely believed, can be utilized to provide data for library use studies. The study described in this report involves using such a data base to analyze aspects of library use and non-use and types of users. Another major objective of this research was the testing of machine-readable circulation data…

This discussion of the major issues concerning online public access library catalogs highlights types of systems, user behavior, structure of systems and user-friendly information retrieval methods (menus, fuzzy matches, prompters), and additional search strategy features (limits, browsing, truncation). Three references are listed. (EJS)

The primary objective of the National Serials Data Program is the design and implementation of a national serials information system. The goals of this system are the provisions of timely, accurate, and comprehensive information about serial publications within a framework of quantitative efficiency and agreed upon cost effectiveness. The intent…

A study subsidizing student use of online literature searching services examined how this new technology met student needs. Student search patterns and overall satisfaction with online searches were evaluated. The implications of student use of computer searches for reference services are also discussed. (Author)

This document is one of ten kits distributed annually by the Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC), a clearinghouse operated by the Association of Research Libraries, Office of Management Studies (ARL/OMS) that provides a central source of timely information and materials on the management and operations of large academic and research…

A survey of libraries in south central Pennsylvania was designed to identify those that are using or planning to use databases and assess their perceived training needs. This report describes the methodology and analyzes the responses received form the 57 libraries that completed the questionnaire. Data presented in eight tables are concerned with…

This study of periodical interlibrary loan in New Jersey focuses on access to and sharing of periodical information in the state-wide library networks and investigates the feasibility of providing online search services for such information. The three part study began with a survey of the library literature dealing with networking and an…

Reviews recent and current research and development projects in the United Kingdom dealing with online information systems. Main areas of research (systems design, impact on user behavior and organizational structure, ergonomics and bibliographic factors) and research techniques (features analysis, transaction log analysis, surveys and comparative…

Describes the development of California Institute of Technology Libraries' local database of articles from science and engineering journals and its integrated document request and delivery feature. It is noted that not all journals received by the libraries are in the database, backfiles are limited, and coverage is not comprehensive. (five…

A comparison of costs for computer-based searching of Psychological Abstracts and Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) systems by the New York State Library at Albany was produced by combining data available from search request forms and from bills from the contract subscription service, the State University of New…

This study is based on a survey of a sample of 162 academic libraries holding between 90,000 and 500,000 volumes. The report begins by comparing various characteristics of the libraries to arrive at a profile of an average sample library in terms of volumes, enrollment, volumes per student, budget, expenditures per student, salaries as percent of…

Reports on a study of CD-ROM products in Nigerian libraries and information centers that gathered information about funding sources, users, hardware configurations, and training facilities through a survey of research, public, and academic libraries. Recommendations for future CD-ROM use are included, and a copy of the survey is appended.…

This paper reports on a research project that evaluates the impact of OhioLINK's resource sharing options upon traditional interlibrary loan services and organization. This impact is documented by a study of the interlibrary loan transactions processed by the Interlibrary Loan Department, Carlson Library, University of Toledo, before and after…