A study of the use of the OCLC interlibrary loan subsystem revealed that nearly two weeks elapse between the entry of a request into the subsystem and receipt of the item. Comparison with other studies shows little change since 1979. (Author/EM)

Examination of appropriateness of productivity measurements to assess performance of special libraries defines the concept, discusses problems in their use, and gives guidelines for implementation. Results of use of productivity measurements in Library of Congress and State Department library are reported, and productivity measurements are…

This discussion of the place of research in the field of library science notes empirical and scientific research; testing, analysis, and research design; theories and methodologies from other disciplines; the dilemma of quantification; library research needs; and the search for an audience. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

Provides librarians and others with summary of types of methods available to determine extent to which books, journals, and other library materials are being used, highlighting circulation studies, survey of user opinions, document delivery tests, shelf availability studies, in-house use studies, and citation studies. Forty-four selected…

Provides an overview of public administration and its similarities to library and information science, and notes research themes in public administration (innovation, organizational development and change, decision-making and evaluation, personnel, financial concerns, marketing, dissertations). Future of public administration research and its…

The four papers contained in this volume were presented at the August 1994 meetings of the American Statistical Association as a session titled, "Public Policy and Data Comparability: New Interest in Public Library Data." The first paper, "Public Library Statistics: Two Systems Compared" (Mary Jo Lynch), describes two systems…

The main information, research, and documentation activities which Unesco proposes to carry out in 1973-74 are briefly discussed. (SJ)

Because most research done on the influence of participative management on library performance is ignored and an invalid measure of participation in decision making is used, this study provides no basis for the generalization that an increase in the library staff's participation in decision making will increase the library's effectiveness. (29…

The first proposals for serious research at Lancaster were made some six years ago: the intention was to investigate the real needs of the library users and the best ways of meeting these needs. This article summarizes past, present and possible future activities in this field. (Author/NH)

The purpose of this paper is to describe and criticize a very common strategy in which the operations reseacher relies strongly on managerial judgement and the existing system as a basis for his inquiry. (10 references) (Author/NH)

This paper examines the structure of traditional" library catalogs and the research concerning them. (Author)

The three conclusions of this study are: (1) major Federal agencies need comprehensive and integrated information systems, (2) very few Federal agencies have libraries with the capacity to administer comprehensive information programs and (3) libraries can make a greater contribution to agency information programs if they were given the resources.…

Contrasts traditional objectives for library catalogs with current bibliographic control practices to protest the increasing complexity and cost of cataloging. Research is urged to develop more cost-effective bibliographic control procedures and techniques. Eight references are listed. (RAA)

Reports a study of the distribution of use among users of a short loan collection in an academic library. Results indicate the most active one-third of all users generate between two-thirds and three-quarters of all use. A brief list of references is provided. (Author/SW)