The University of Michigan Library wanted to learn more about the kinds of searches its users were conducting through the "one search" search box on the Library Web site. Library staff conducted two investigations. A preliminary investigation in 2011 involved the manual review of the 100 most frequently occurring queries conducted…

This article details an open card sort study administered to undergraduate students, graduate students, and librarians at the University of Colorado at Boulder in order to reveal perceptions of library research guides. The study identifies user group preferences for organization and content of research guides, as well as themes emerging from the…

What makes a successful informal learning space is a topic in need of further research. The body of discourse on informal space design is drawn from learning theory, placemaking, and architecture, with a need for understanding of the synergy between the three. Findings from a longitudinal, quantitative, and qualitative study at Sheffield Hallam…

The University of Mississippi Library created a profile to provide linking from Google Scholar (GS) to library resources in 2005. Although Google Scholar does not provide usage statistics for institutions, use of Google Scholar is clearly evident in looking at library link resolver logs. The purpose of this project is to examine users of Google…

As the use of the Ohio State University Libraries interlibrary services has increased, there have been more requests to borrow items that are already available to patrons locally, often in electronic format. Patterns relating to why patrons could not find locally available materials were identified in the record of canceled interlibrary requests…

The decision styles of 370 academic library directors were studied using the Decision Style Inventory. Results indicated that most directors have an idea rather than an action orientation and that most are left-brain dominant. Preferred decision styles among directors at doctoral, comprehensive, baccalaureate, and two-year institutions differed…

Describes a study that examined the learning styles of 140 academic librarians in public and technical services using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory. The findings do not indicate significant differences in learning styles of technical and public services librarians. Relationships between learning styles and variables such as sex, age, education,…

Characteristics of learning styles and other attributes of academic librarians in public and technical services were examined based on Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI), a system that conceptualizes the learning process as a four-stage cycle and identifies four different learning styles--accommodator (gets things done, takes risk, leads);…

Presents the results of a survey conducted at the State University of New York Albany to explore library patrons' use of the Internet and their use of the library-sponsored Internet instruction program. Results indicate that most Internet users chose to learn on their own; different instructional needs, based on gender and learning style were…

Describes a qualitative study involving interviews with 12 women employees in academic libraries that investigated their views of computers and technology, methods for training effectiveness, learning styles, and views on serving patron's needs. Discusses training implications and makes suggestions for maximizing transfer of training. (LRW)

Library staff at State University of New York at Albany surveyed 96 patrons in a 2-month period regarding their Internet usage. Gender, college status, and prior experience were sources of differences in searching and browsing behavior and in attitudes toward Internet usefulness. Libraries should actively create new Internet access points and…