Considers the use of the phrase "customer service" with reference to libraries and their users' needs, expectations, and satisfaction. Librarians' perceptions of those being served, and the public's view of library workers, are discussed, and a sidebar examines the history of fee-based subscription libraries. (LRW)

Presents arguments in support of public library acquisition of videos. Some potential benefits for children and adults of watching videos are cited, e.g., learning about good acting, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, music, and good literature. (MES)

Presents a research finding that elementary school principals generally have a broader conception of the role of the teacher-librarian than teacher-librarians themselves, together with seven comments on various facets of the finding. Bibliographic information is provided for the eight doctoral dissertations on which the overall finding and…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the reference interview is essential in the provision of public library reference service. A survey questionnaire was mailed to 125 small and medium sized public libraries throughout Ohio. The survey was administered in the spring of 1994 with a response rate of 56%. Respondents were asked…

Profiles the life and accomplishments of a mystery author/librarian. Discusses her early career; mystery writing in general; her writing schedule; position as a reference librarian at a community college; and the main character in her novels, a librarian. (AEF)

Examines attitudes and cooperative behavior of personnel in six multitype libraries through questionnaires and interviews to determine the degree to which monetary considerations or their perception influences interlibrary cooperation. Results indicate it is the perception rather than the reality of monetary concerns that influences decisions…

Discussion of discriminatory pricing by journal publishers and its effects on libraries focuses on six prerequisites for successful discriminatory pricing that are based on marketing theory. Strategies to eliminate some of these prerequisites--and therefore eliminate discriminatory pricing--are suggested, including the need to change the attitudes…

Reports on a 1991 survey and a 1994 follow-up survey that examined cataloging practices of special librarians, their contributions to the OCLC database, and the relationship between local systems and OCLC. Highlights include the use of paraprofessionals, backlogs, original records and copy cataloging, and views on electronic information. (LRW)

Teachers, school library media specialists (SLMSs), and principals in six elementary schools were interviewed to explore the ways in which schools have successfully implemented flexible scheduling in their libraries. Overall findings and conclusions of the study are linked with Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory and compared with Shannon's…

Library webmasters in medium-sized academic libraries were surveyed about their educational backgrounds, job responsibilities, and training and experience levels in Web development. The article summarizes the findings of the survey with recommendations for libraries and library and information science programs. (Contains 7 tables, 5 figures,and 5…

In many ways, science classrooms and school library media centers are parallel universes struggling with their own reform issues and with documenting their own positive impacts. As the trend toward data-driven decisions grows in the school setting, it is increasingly important for every component of the learning environment to have demonstrable…

As the academic library plays the roles of intermediary and adjudicator of collection purchases and cancellations, faculty involvement in library resource decisions is not only commonplace, but essential to making such decisions. Faculty involvement in cancellation projects is often enhanced by a thorough explanation of the depth of financial…

Discusses the career choices of library assistants based on personal reflections, including reasons for staying in a support staff position; membership in library professional associations; attitudes of librarians and library directors toward library assistants; and the need for professional development opportunities for library assistants. (LRW)

Examines the nature of faculty culture and how certain aspects of it impede bibliographic instruction efforts. It is suggested that continued initiatives by librarians to understand and to reach out to faculty are needed to increase widescale acceptance by faculty of bibliographic instruction. (Contains 126 references.) (Author/LRW)

Describes a set of interviews conducted with special librarians serving scientific organizations in the North Carolina Research Triangle area to determine the influence of advanced subject degrees on library service. It is concluded that, although subject specialization is useful, it is not necessary to provide good service. (five references) (LRW)