Based on data gathered during a full 5-day, 40-hour week of visiting time, this study determined various characteristics of visitors to the New York State Library (NYSL) main facility; e.g., traffic rates, user intent, and user status. Visitors exiting the library were counted, short interviews were conducted with 25 percent of the total visitors…

In order to gather information detailing the extent and effectiveness of oral history projects in public libraries, questionnaires were sent to public libraries in 11 states that listed "oral history" among their resources in the American Library Directory, and to a small number of other libraries in these states with oral history…

Eighteen state-supported academic libraries, primarily in Illinois but also in other midwestern and western states, were contacted by letter (14) or by telephone (4) in order to obtain information on their circulation policies and procedures. Fifteen libraries responded by sending copies of their policies. Information was also collected by…

This report describes the pilot data collections and post-questionnaire interview activities of the Council on Library Resources (CLR)/Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Online Public Access Project. The background of the project is briefly described, the purpose and adminstration of the post-questionnaire interviews are outlined, and pilot…

A role analysis study of the Margaret I. King Library reference department focused on organization of role activities, their evaluation by reference staff, and patron satisfaction. Observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques were employed to (1) obtain staff job history and academic training; (2) inventory activities from which a list of…

This assessment of the extent to which teacher-librarians in Australian primary schools are actively involved in curriculum development compared two Australian states, including both metropolitan and country regions, to determine whether observations made in Victoria were substantiated by the data collected, and whether this situation was…

The uses being made of the OCLC system in the area of public or reader's services was investigated in this study. Topics dealt with include the training of librarians and patrons in on-line searching, specific benefits of the data base to the public, disadvantages of the present OCLC system in public services, costs, and the motivation behind…

Presents the results of a study of CD-ROM database use by 100 university students. The students' age, level of study, course of study, and reasons for nonuse are reported. Implications of the study, and suggestions for promoting CD-ROM use and involving faculty in raising awareness are presented. (eight references) (KRN)

Seven articles on library reference services highlight reference obsolescence in academic libraries, major studies of unobtrusive reference tests, methods for evaluating reference desk performance, reference interview evaluation, problems of reference desk control, online searching by end users, and reference collection development in…

This summary of the final report of a statewide study of library systems in New York State begins by providing background information on the library systems and changes that have occurred since the last system study was conducted in 1967. The methodology of the current study is then described, and the mission and services of library systems…

Patron use of periodical indexes was studied by interviewing patrons on random basis as they used periodical and newspaper indexes. A questionnaire was designed to gather information on citation elements, how patrons locate magazines in library, and how they use university's serials holdings list. Seven references and questionnaire are appended.…

Book condition surveys have been conducted in several large research libraries in the United States to determine the extent of book deterioration in those libraries. This paper outlines the steps for conducting a brittle book survey adapted from more comprehensive surveys to assess the extent of paper brittleness of the book collections in a small…

Phase one of the Effective College Library research project, conducted between July 1995 and March 1996, entailed a review of evidence about library support for teaching and learning in further education. The results are detailed in this report. Questionnaires focusing on innovative practices were distributed to all 453 Further Education (FE)…

This study was conducted to learn the extent to which member institutions of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) with Blackwell North America (B/NA) approval plans covering philosophy and political science are duplicating collections, and to determine what supplementary collection development practices are being used. Initial data were…

This comprehensive state-wide study of library systems in New York state describes them and analyzes the way they are working; compares that to the intent of library laws and regulations and to the needs of state residents for library services; and recommends changes where a need for them is indicated. (Three types of library systems are…