The author investigates issues faced by academic research libraries in providing virtual reference services to unaffiliated users. These libraries generally welcome visitors who use on-site collections and reference services, but are these altruistic policies feasible in a virtual environment? This paper reviews the use of virtual reference…

Reference interactions with patrons in a digital library environment using digital reference services (DRS) has become widespread. However, such services in many libraries appear to be underutilized. A study surveying the ease and convenience of such services for patrons in over 100 academic health science library Web sites suggests that…

The Special Libraries' Association (SLA) has conducted salary surveys since 1967, triennially from 1967 to 1990, biennially from 1990 to 1996 and annually from 1997 forward. The objectives of the annual Salary Survey are to: (1) Collect and analyze systematic, accurate information about the salaries of special librarians and information…

The reference desk at Indiana State University's (ISU) library offers an excellent view of student work areas on the first floor. From this vantage point, the reference librarians noticed students, especially in the evening and on weekends, huddled together in small groups, with one student at the keyboard of a laptop or desktop computer. The…

In late 2006, the National Library of Australia (NLA) implemented a trial Instant Messaging (IM) service that ran in parallel with the AskNow chat reference service for a six month period. The trial was a resounding success, proving both a demand for an IM service and the suitability of the medium for reference service provision in a collaborative…

Given the many changes in our students and their study and research practices, libraries are finding it necessary to seek new ways to reach these students. The Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign created a new model to do so. Librarian's Office Hours are a hybrid of reference and instructional services that…

Describes the qualifications and duties of area specialists with particular reference to the Library of Congress. (Author/PF)

Points out the innovative nature of the American Library Association "Guidelines for Information Services." (PF)

A brief description of reference, bibliography, preservation, administration, and staffing for a picture collection. (PF)

History and review of basic reference service. (LS)

A telephone reference service operated by the Library of Congress provides immediate service to congressmen with the help of automated information files. (PF)

DATA OBTAINED FROM VISITS TO ALL TYPES OF LIBRARIES, INTERVIEWS WITH ABOUT 80 PEOPLE, AND STATISTICAL DATA FURNISHED BY THE COLORADO STATE LIBRARY FROM THE BASIS FOR THIS SURVEY OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN COLORADO. LIBRARY SERVICES ARE FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATE LIBRARY ASSUME LEADERSHIP FOR STATE PROGRAMS, THAT THE…

Explains how transactional analysis could be used for understanding the problems of an academic library reference department. (PF)

Prepared by the Standards Committee, Reference and Adult Services Division, American Library Association. (PF)