Costs and cost-related factors connected with providing on-line search services through the public library are examined. The examination was based on preliminary results from an on-going evaluation of an experimental program (DIALIB). In the DIALIB experiment Lockheed's DIALOG search service was available to the public through four public…

A cost analysis was made of on-line bibliographic searching in four public libraries in the San Francisco Bay Area using the Lockheed DIALOG system. The study involved monitoring the time that 35 individuals in the libraries spent processing some 411 search requests. The study identified a set of seven tasks that are performed for each request and…

Information services provided by the reference librarians at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) are outlined as an introduction to this document on projected services to the public by the Center for Information Services (CIS). The report discusses the types of data base which may be searched (bibliographic reference tapes, full…

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)

Discussion of implications of highly decentralized nature of local government for collection of local documents highlights meaning of access, effect of local government environment on access to local government information, library responses, and tools that can assist libraries in increasing citizen and government access to local government…

Profile of fee-based information services offered by the Information Exchange Center of Georgia Institute of Technology notes history and background, document delivery to commercial clients and on-campus faculty, online and manual literature searching, staff, cost analysis, fee schedule, operating methods, client relations, marketing, and current…

This profile of INFORM, the fee-based service offered by Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center, highlights its background, online search services and frequently used databases, major planning considerations (equipment, user aids, choice of vendor, training), internal operations (billing, purchasing items for clients), marketing, and…

Discusses the integration of subject pathfinders into online public access catalogs (OPAC) through following features: within the OPAC, offline user guide manuals, remotely printed upon user request, or online as saved searches displayed in help screen format. Excerpts of a pathfinder display for biotechnology are presented. Four sources are…

Human intermediation is the central issue for information professionals who have been striving to provide better services in ever-changing environments. This document reports on an empirical study of human intermediation to explore patterns of relationships between user situations and tasks they request of intermediaries using the AskERIC Q&A…

The effects of personal systems on formal library and secondary information services use are analyzed. Conclusions are that personal information systems are not personalized libraries;'' formal library services should concentrate on developing complimentary programs. (9 references) (Author)

Students of reference work need help in developing search strategies. The general knowledge of the student and the size of the collection should be considered, then decision factors such as language, time available, amount of information required and space can be ranked. (2 references) (DH)

Article considers the problems and function of the university library system as it attempts to serve the information needs of the academic community. (RK)

Eight librarians express their views on the state of the libraries' reference services with some suggestions for their improvement. (37 references) (NH)

Characteristics of the librarian-patron information retrieval interview including group size, interview goals, role definition, interpersonal influence, and duration are discussed within the context of task group analysis. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Examines history of online information retrieval services in North American in general and in Canada specifically. The current situation is assessed on the basis of results of a recent national survey and the issue of charging for these services is discussed. Twelve references are cited. (EJS)