The effectiveness of the Management Review and Analysis Program (MRAP) of the Association of Research Libraries, an "assisted self study" involving administrators, librarians, and staff in an internal study of management procedures and practices, was evaluated in 1976/77 by research measuring its impact on 22 participating academic and…

Reports the findings of a survey of 226 faculty members in the social sciences at the University of Illinois concerning their use of serials. Information regarding their serial needs, patterns of use, and the usefulness of specified services is presented, and means of improving service despite budgetary restraints are discussed. (Author/JD)

Results of this study evaluating library reference service indicate a statistically significant difference at the .05 level between obtrusive and unobtrusive evaluation methods. Library staff answer a greater proportion of questions correctly when they are aware of being evaluated. The 30 questions used, a report form, and references are included.…

Describes an unobtrusive study of the ability of professional librarians to deal with factual questions that was conducted at Illinois State University. Evaluation of the accuracy of responses is discussed, the responsiveness and helpfulness of librarians is examined, attitude scores are described, and implications for improving reference service…

The study described was designed to discern attitudes of undergraduate and graduate students toward existing library services and products to provide a basis for library program development aimed at increasing use and knowledge of services, products, and facilities. A survey questionnaire was administered during class sessions to obtain responses…

Describes responses of 19 Louisiana academic libraries to questionnaire designed to determine scope and conduct of academic online searching search services. Telecommunications networks, terminals, patrons, library search procedures, methods of charging fees, special features, selective dissemination of information, computer searching by…

Data derived from study of 142 natural science museums and nature centers indicates that 90 percent of facilities had libraries (46 percent informally organized). Libraries are not funded to same degree as extra-exhibit educational programs; staffing is less often full-time and professional; collections, services and use levels show great…

Reviews studies that have attempted to measure levels of community library service, and describes the testing of hypotheses related to the impact of public library system development in Wisconsin on community library services. Conclusions about public library service in Wisconsin and the research methodology used are stated. (16 references) (CLB)

Study of student use and perceptions of residence hall libraries at Indiana University (telephone survey in residence centers, user survey in libraries) reveals that students do use such libraries. Magazine and newspaper collections are used most frequently; records, audiocassettes, class-related materials, and study space are also popular. (7…

Reports results of study designed to analyze user behavior in two Cyprus cultural center libraries--American Center Library and British Council Library. Library floor plans, user characteristics and patterns, special use analyses, serious versus casual use, and relationships or correlations between characteristics and services are highlighted.…

To develop method for determining adequacy of library reference desk staffing, data on reference transactions, person hours, percent of professional hours, and turnstile count for 1979 were obtained from 71 academic libraries and correlated with library performance measures. Formulas for predicting number of reference transactions and 17…

Proposes and investigates feasibility of using three new variables in addition to simple activity counts in measuring reference services: (1) user questioning regardless of where activity occurs; (2) treating individual user and question as unit of analysis; and (3) examination of questioning in context of other library use. (11 references) (EJS)

Profiles of medium-sized technical libraries serving the power industry highlight user groups and staffing; library size, holdings, and facilities; library services; use of modern and innovative methods, and outside resources; correlation between number of users and selected other characteristics; correlation of library characteristics with…

Explores marginal costs involved in decentralization of academic libraries by analyzing labor and material costs of a branch library (Library School Library, University of California, Berkeley) and discussing cost to users and universities. Benefits of a branch library are summarized based on survey done among 40 users. References are provided.…

Describes use studies of OCLC's FirstSearch, an online reference service for end-users, that was conducted at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Qualitative and quantitative research methods are described, including use statistics, online user surveys, questionnaires, and focus groups; and strengths and weaknesses of FirstSearch are…