Public library effectiveness efforts are placed within the context of theoretical and empirical research on organizational effectiveness. The construct, measures, and determinants of public library effectiveness are investigated, and a possible model of the determinants of public library output measures is presented. (Author/EM)

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is charged with improving library services throughout the state to ensure that all citizens have access to quality library and information services. The agency is responsible for receiving and administering federal and state funds for the more than 200 public libraries in Alabama. Information is reported…

Describes findings from a national research study about public library service to homeless children. Describes six exemplary library programs targeting homeless children and discusses characteristics and needs of young homeless children and their parents. Eight tables present statistics; the survey instrument is appended. (AEF)

Identifies and discusses characteristics of effective in-house studies in public libraries. Characteristics discussed include clearly stated research questions, translation into measurable terms, study design, staff training, data analysis, and targeted reporting. It is argued that studies done within existing management and communication…

Reviews curriculum guides and the research literature to examine locational skills instruction in elementary schools and the transferability of skills to the public library. Factors that may limit instructional effectiveness are identified and the need for public children's librarians to have realistic expectations of children's abilities to…

Reports on a survey of the communications mechanisms used by 23 public library leaders and on their need to bridge a perceived communication gap between researchers and librarians. Five recommendations for closing the gap, based on respondent suggestions and Everett M. Roger's diffusion of innovation model, are proposed. (nine references) (KRN)

Discussion of public library roles examines roles from the Public Library Association's planning and measurement tools for their usefulness in evaluating public library effectiveness, based on data from the Public Library Effectiveness Study. Indicators of library effectiveness are discussed, and a cluster analysis of libraries with similar role…

Reports the results of a survey of reference librarians in public and academic libraries that investigated experiences with and attitudes toward the use of digital and networked technologies and resources in reference work. Highlights include a correlation between experiences and positive attitudes; characteristics of librarians; and current and…

Each year, from 1982 to 1986, the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois conducted a study called the Index of Quality of Public Library Service. For this study, unobtrusive tests of reference service and book availability were performed annually in Illinois Public Libraries. When the results from rural libraries were compared with…

The literature of American public library outreach services over a 15-year period is reviewed in the context of the War on Poverty milieu and the four functions of reader services: information, instruction, guidance, and stimulation to use. Three formats were typically present in this literature: broad statements of need, justifications of…

This conference was held to bring librarians and users from academic, public, school, and special libraries together to discuss how resource sharing among all types of libraries, for the benefit of all types of users, might be enhanced through formal multitype networking. A conference workbook was provided for participants to read ahead of time,…

This study was conducted to test measures of library service developed in a 1974 national performance measurement study, and to develop personnel training programs in data collection and analysis in New Jersey public libraries. The study was conducted in three phases: (1) revision of original procedures manual; (2) measurement implementation in 25…

Measurements of materials and library operations were carried out in five public libraries and an observation study of staff work was conducted in the Hawaii State Library. The goals of this phase of the larger state study included testing and modification of measures to ensure their applicability to public libraries in the state, and the…

The instructions provided for carrying out data collection and analysis procedures for library materials, services, and users include sampling techniques. Evaluation methodology is described for determining the probability of a user finding and obtaining a recently published book in a particular library, title and periodical availability, how a…

The potential for using a computerized communication system to facilitate resource sharing in New England has been investigated by the staff of the New England Information Network (NELINET). The central purpose of their research was to determine whether a strategy for load leveling of interlibrary loan (ILL) requests could be implemented online as…