Highlights the existence of special libraries in India attached to Dargahs, which were originally Muslim shrines, and presents an analysis of their information storage and retrieval patterns based on data from a survey of five of these libraries. Basic inadequacies in professional staffing, collection development, and financial support are noted.…

This paper discusses the development since late 1993 of a program of Internet workshops and seminars offered to the Texas Tech University community. The discussion includes the program's history; the evolving process of planning, organizing, advertising, and managing; the politics involved; the effort to motivate colleagues to participate; the…

This digest discusses the development of World Wide Web-based services for libraries and provides examples from the Cleveland Public Library (CPL). The first section highlights the importance of developing such services, steps to be followed for a successful project, and the importance of having the goal of replicating and enhancing traditional…

Describes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economics and Statistics System, a joint venture between the Alfred R. Mann Library at Cornell University and three USDA economic agencies which is available via the World Wide Web. Library support for remote users is highlighted, including acquisitions, cataloging, reference, and technical…

Summarizes the effects OhioLINK, a networked patron self-initiated interlibrary borrowing system, has had on the traditional interlibrary loan (ILL) department at Miami University (OH). Finds Miami's lending to 11 other schools decreased 13% and filled photocopy requests increased 17% while Miami's borrowing increased less than 2%, filled loan…

Analyzes the use of online and CD-ROM databases for bibliographic and reference services by 33 Spanish universities. Highlights include evolution of automation; personnel; users; search typology and motive; user training; problems in serving the public; computer equipment; online service costs; and database providers. (AEF)

This study investigated the usefulness of end user systems to library and information science students. Seventeen volunteers were offered free searching on BRS/After Dark and DIALOG's Knowledge Index. The search itself, postsearch questionnaire, and completed research papers were analyzed for databases used, cost and time online, and precision.…

Reviews studies exploring the information-seeking behavior of social science researchers and discusses implications for the development of reference services. Identifies the importance of journals, use of citation information from journals, colleagues and conferences as information sources, and infrequent use of library resources. (Author/AEF)

Argues that librarians should respond to the growing demand for medical information by expanding their role. The development of medical information reference, issues of accountability, legal responsibility, and user characteristics are discussed. Seven steps toward accountability, including in-depth reference interviewing, referral, training, and…

Discusses chemical information services offered in industrial chemical libraries, based on experiences at the 3M Library. Topics include qualifications of chemical information professionals; corporate culture; clients; services, including reference, current awareness, confidentiality, and end-user support; and information resources, including…

Distance education strategies offer the potential to overcome barriers of time and distance. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries have been providing an array of services to distant learners enrolled in UNL graduate degree programs. This paper reviews the services that the UNL Libraries have developed, describes current objectives, and…

Some of the 12 conference papers presented in this proceedings focus on the present and potential capabilities of artificial intelligence and expert systems as they relate to a wide range of library applications, including descriptive cataloging, technical services, collection development, subject indexing, reference services, database searching,…

Proposes that the concept of the traditional reference desk as the center of reference services in academic libraries is a tradition that should be examined in light of new technologies and changes in the way people find and use information. An alternative or supplementary model is delineated. (Author/CDD)

Discussion of the present condition of Peruvian academic libraries from firsthand observation includes descriptions of reference, orientation, and publication services; funding; collections; library use; and librarianship. The vast differences in traditions, resources, and information needs of this developing country and those of industrialized…

Discusses results of four surveys sent to members of the Association of Research Libraries to investigate changes in academic library reference services due to new and rapidly evolving technologies. Highlights include digital reference options; local databases; CD-ROMs; intermediary online searching; end-user online search services; and the…