Assesses the value of the Government Printing Office's 1983 "Biennial Survey" as a tool to support depository library planning and decision making. The survey data are evaluated in terms of reliability, validity, and utility, and recommendations are offered for improving the design, administration, and analysis of the survey. (CLB)

In order to ascertain what data elements should commonly be considered in the development of a meaningful procedure for recording and analyzing library reference transaction data for planning purposes, a comparison was made between the development, use, and results of surveys designed and tested at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the…

This report presents a systematic review of the literacy services of the Vancouver Public Library (British Columbia), both to determine if those activities met the needs and expectations of local adult learners and to see if those activities compared favorably with general standards and with other libraries' literacy services. Data was collected…

An evaluation was conducted to study the fiscal section of the State Library Agencies Survey of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), examining Parts K, L, and M. The evaluation was designed to check for duplication of data collection between the survey and the compliance materials of the Office of Library Programs (OLP), a former…

This evaluation of the use of volunteers in the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) had five objectives: (1) to determine all categories of tasks currently performed by volunteers for network programs and to estimate the amount of time spent on each category by volunteers on a yearly basis; (2) to assess the…

Reports on an assessment that examined the role of school and public libraries in educational reform. Results for school libraries are reported related to student use, staffing, collections, equipment/technology, Internet access/use, needs, and involvement in educational reform efforts. Cooperation between schools and public libraries is also…

A 2-phase study evaluated the existing reference referral network in California, and developed and evaluated two alternative designs, one organization-based and the other formula-based. The evaluation phase consisted of the following tasks: (1) a survey of all public libraries and cooperative systems of the state regarding their priorities for and…

Conducted to gather information on the practical impact of implementing either the Washington Library Network (WLN) system or one of two versions of the DOBIS system in British Columbia Union Catalogue (BCUC) member libraries, this study addressed four questions: (1) the effect the introduction of the new system would have on workflows; (2)…

Proposes and investigates feasibility of using three new variables in addition to simple activity counts in measuring reference services: (1) user questioning regardless of where activity occurs; (2) treating individual user and question as unit of analysis; and (3) examination of questioning in context of other library use. (11 references) (EJS)

This feasibility study assesses the potential of optical technology in the development of accessible bibliographic and location data networks both in Canada and within the international MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) network. The study is divided into four parts: (1) a market survey of cataloging and interlibrary loan librarians to determine…

This analysis of an affluent, well educated, family community and its library by a professional consulting organization used statistical and budget data, public meetings, and surveys of citizens, library users, and staff to determine the library needs of the community and to develop a plan for improved library services. Questionnaires were…

Describes a recent survey of library resources for American Studies at libraries in Taiwan and compares the results with those of two earlier surveys. Faculty opinions, periodical holdings, book holdings, and recommendations for improving the quality, quantity, and utilization of library resources for American Studies are discussed. (LRW)

A branch library community analysis study identifies library users and nonusers, determines the area of service, and serves as a pilot project for a larger systemwide study. Significant findings suggest that users may be identified by their degree of participation in socio-cultural activities and adult education programs rather than demographic…

The Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) was established in 1966 to collect concise information on library resources, services, and expenditures for the entire population of academic libraries in the United States. The ALS is conducted every 2 years as a cooperative venture of the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Commerce, Bureau of…

Describes the advantages and disadvantages of using CD-ROM in the school library media center. Complaints about hardware, software, user problems, staffing, and funding reported by 67 library media specialists responding to a survey are included; and 15 steps for implementing CD-ROM technology are provided. (KRN)