Presents a methodology for describing, analyzing, and evaluating the public service functions of serial file systems, and describes a user study conducted in a university departmental library to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of its system in enabling students new to the library to locate known-items in the serials collection. (CDD)

This review of the overall findings of the "Educating the Online Catalog User" project at Northwestern University Library focuses on methods of data collection used in evaluating online catalog performance and user performance. The rationale and methodology of transaction log monitoring and new directions for technical development are…

During one week in 1981, 648 telephone reference questions were analyzed at medium-sized public library. Subject-oriented question analysis revealed little relationship between subject of question, answer format, and complexity level; significant correlation appeared between answer format and level of complexity. Sample coding form and statistical…

The 23 papers presented at this conference deal with the information needs of institutionally-based part-time students in United Kingdom universities, polytechnics, and further education colleges, and with library and information services for the adult learner. Keith Percy and John Simpson provide overviews on the number and types of part-time…

Resulting from the Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) 1975 survey on user services, this kit presents documentation on and discusses developments in physical access services--services which facilitate the actual delivery of information sources to the user--including circulation, interlibrary loan, book delivery, and new media services. As…

Recognizing that the proliferation of personal computers and microcomputers has made it possible for individuals to access information and library resources electronically, a user study was undertaken by an academic library to determine if these "invisible" individuals accessed information differently than more traditional library users.…

This discussion of the measurement of performance criteria and desired or acceptable level of achievement focuses on the performance criteria used for the evaluation of interlibrary services (success rate, turnaround time, cost, and impact of service). Document delivery, communication, and interlibrary loan research are covered. Fifty references…

Preliminary reports from seven Association of Research Library (ARL) members conducting research on current public services concerns describe progress to date and initial findings. Research grants of up to $4,000 were provided for the projects, which were selected in part because of their potential usefulness to academic and research libraries.…

Reports measures of the gains in search time and likelihood of success in known-item searches with the Acorn automated catalog at Vanderbilt University. User time and search success are valued in dollar terms to make the measures meaningful for system design choices. (Author/CLB)

Library schools were surveyed for 1982-85 data on course offerings, enrollment, faculty characteristics, and continuing education programs in children's and young adult services to determine if there has been actual deterioration. Due to problems with the design and response, the results are a beginning for other researchers to build on. (EM)

Reports results of a survey sent to business school graduates from the classes of 1977 and 1983 on their use of libraries both currently and as students. Areas covered include: use of monographs versus journals and use of online services, public and corporate libraries, loose-leaf services, and popular current reading. (EM)

This report summarizes the American Memory User Evaluation conducted during 1991-1993 in over 40 locations around the United States. The findings are based on 1800 user questionnaires, 120 user interviews, and more than 40 site visits by Library staff. American Memory describes the concept of providing electronic versions of selected Library of…

Purpose: This study seeks to explore the utilization of mobile phone services in the educational environment, explore the nature of mobile phone use among university students, and investigate the perception of university students on mobile phone uses in library and information services. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a review of…

The City of London Polytechnic offers a number of part-time courses leading to qualifications awarded by professional associations and similar examining bodies. The majority of the courses are taught by the departments of accounting and finance, banking and insurance, transport studies, and marketing. There are also courses in biological sciences,…

This study was conducted to determine how library users in California say library use helps them. While most library effectiveness studies infer effectiveness by looking at the movement of materials or reports of user satisfaction, this study proceeds from the assumption that libraries need to know how library use helps in user terms. The study…