This description of the types of linguistic information obtainable from online databases generally used to acquire technical information includes examples of equivalent words, English usage, and statistical linguistic data. The implications of online databases as substitutes for dictionaries and as corpora for linguistic survey are considered.…

Reviews the history of bibliography and the effects of online bibliographic services on bibliographic practices. Several of these practices examined (1) delimitation by date span; (2) regional and national delimitation; (3) selectivity; (4) internal organization; (5) citation practices; and (6) annotation styles. (35 references) (MES)

This discussion of the issue of confidentiality or privacy in reference service describes similarities to other professions and explores the legal ramifications of confidentiality. Suggestions are offered to complement official professional guidelines in this area. Twenty references are listed. (MES)

Reports the results of a survey of a free university-run electronic bulletin board. Provides data on gender, age, computer experience, frequency of use, reasons for use, and type of use for 122 users who responded to either an online or mailed survey. (JDH)

This essay arguing for retention of sophisticated reference-desk service as separate from library instruction notes brief history of relationship and two fundamental reasons for separation: a "one-shot" lecture could not cover every tool useful for research needs of each individual student; and not all patrons are experiencing library instruction.…

The relation between library instruction and the reference function is explored, noting characteristics and aims of both functions, terminology (bibliographic instruction and library instruction), user attitudes toward library use, correlation of the two services, and purposes of both bibliographic instruction and the reference process. Sixteen…

Identifies nature of problems affecting library instruction in smaller public libraries and reports on writings which may be helpful to those libraries having no formal library instruction programs. Trends, a definition of the problem, literature reviewed, philosophy of library instruction, and programs over past 10 years are highlighted. (29…

A selection of recent scholarly and general works of interest to reference librarians in academic libraries. (Author/AP)

The University of Wisconsin-Stout library has developed a keyword out of context (KWOC) index to handle repetitive, routine or directional questions for students. (PF)

The progress, potential, and problems of a fee-based, custom designed library research service for business and industry called INFORM are discussed. (JB)

Library Pathfinders offer the opportunity to share reference methodology in an organized, nationwide manner. Intended to introduce users to the variety of information sources available, Pathfinders have been published in a wide range of disciplines. The authors describe Pathfinders and indicate how they can provide improved user service and…

The Office of Standard Reference Data surveyed by mail 2,700 selected members of the Special Libraries Association to check their knowledge and use of NSRDS publications. The survey revealed that distribution and dissemination procedures of NSRDS publications need improvement. (Author/NH)

The purpose of this program is to create an environment which encourages both a change in library styles and priorities, and concomitantly, a change in the patterns of library use. (1 reference) (Author)

The emphasis in the Wabash project is on "gates" because the whole span of research opens through about eight different families of resource materials -- catalog, bibliography, encyclopedia, handbook, index, dictionary, abstract, book review source. (36 references) (Author)

Thirty-five library school students enrolled in a course at Peabody Library School on Bibliography of the Social Sciences" were asked to latch on to a graduate student in one of the social sciences, discover his library needs, and see what could be done to meet them. (MM)