Summarizes the debate concerning use of desks versus counters in reference areas of academic libraries. Librarians argued whether patrons were more likely to approach a standing or a sitting librarian. In general, patrons preferred approaching a standing librarian; however, only small studies were conducted. In practice, libraries are designed in…

Presents a multifaceted approach to identifying facility needs in academic libraries that applies different evaluation methods to different functional areas, defines problems from more than one viewpoint, and considers the interrelationships of various areas. The strengths and weaknesses of this approach are discussed using examples from its…

Six articles discuss library buildings and construction: (1) library buildings and their parts; (2) the North Campus Library of California State University at Long Beach in 1995; (3) new structures for teaching libraries; (4) construction standards for California public libraries; (5) Sick (Library) Building Syndrome; and (6) using focus-group…

Presents findings of a user-based study of the interior of Rodger's Science and Engineering Library at the University of Alabama. Compared facility evaluations from faculty, library staff, and graduate and undergraduate students. Features evaluated include: acoustics, aesthetics, book stacks, design, finishes/materials, furniture, lighting,…

A survey of student use of audio recordings of lectures at universities revealed that students valued the opportunity to listen to the lectures they missed; fewer students sought academic staff to ask questions; students made copies of the recordings away from the library, which reduced pressure on library facilities; and few students deliberately…

Ten years ago Wayne State University (WSU) libraries assimilated the university's media services unit. An analysis of its present facilities, services, collections, goals, and cost-recovery elements demonstrates the full-service WSU media center is a cost-effective, integral part of WSU library service. (Author/AEF)

The State of Mississippi authorized the construction of additions to three of the state's academic libraries. At the University of Southern Mississippi, planning for an addition raised the question of assignable study space. Lockable individual study rooms (carrels) and group study rooms were planned, and questions of how to assign them and rules…

A "do-it-yourself" library move may produce significant changes in the established patterns of personnel organization and behavior of the library staff. However, most previously published work on the topic of moving a library collection concentrates on procedural aspects of a move. This study recounts and analyzes the impact of such a…

In fall of 1988, the William Jasper Kerr Library at Oregon State University combined its separate science/technology and social science/humanities reference areas. One year later, the Reference Arrangement Task Force was appointed to evaluate the effectiveness of the new configuration. The Task Force modelled the area with drawings and balsa…

A 1977 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey gathered information and documentation on remote storage for selected library materials, including type and size of facilities, selection processes for transferring materials, operating procedures, and record-changing activities. A summary of the survey results included in this kit reports…

During the 1981 Spring Semester, the Memphis State University (MSU) Libraries asked representative groups of library users to give their views about the services, personnel, and facilities of the library system in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the libraries in the MSU community. This study indicates that the MSU Libraries are effectively…

How does the college faculty member involved in off-campus teaching plan for intensively scheduled classes comprised of forty hours of instruction in three weekends? Two main areas of concern are (1) the differences between these students and those found on the main campus and (2) methods of providing variety in instruction to maintain a…

A guide to Federal financial assistance programs. The programs are identified with the enabling legislation, along with addresses of Federal agency offices in all areas of the country responsible for their administration. The booklet is divided into three parts according to the type of Federal program--(1) educational planning, (2) acquisition and…

A Directory of services for the handicapped in Ohio college and university libraries is the result of a 1975 survey. Alphabetically arranged entries provide the name, address, and telephone number of each institution as well as the name of a person to contact for more information. Special services provided by each library are identified. These may…

The critical incident technique was used to identify several environmental dimensions relevant to the assessment of a college library, in this case the Cook Library of Towson State College, Maryland. Students were asked to fill out forms describing positive and negative encounters with the library and library staff and to complete a general…