Compares traditional online interview with the presearch counseling session (process whereby a librarian, acting in an advisory role, assists client searcher in devising his/her search strategy, before that searcher goes online) and presents a one-step model of a presearch counseling session. An online self-service worksheet and 102-item…

Discusses responses of 937 academic library directors who were surveyed to determine whether their libraries provide services to users outside academic community; whether outside users are charged fees; and what services are provided for fee. Extracts of information (services, staff, comments) received from ten universities are highlighted. Survey…

This report presents tabulations for the 2004 Academic Libraries Survey (ALS) conducted by the United States Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). An academic library is defined as an entity in a postsecondary institution that provides all of the following: An organized collection of printed or other materials,…

This report marks the second release of library statistics data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative…

The Special Libraries' Association (SLA) has conducted salary surveys since 1967, triennially from 1967 to 1990, biennially from 1990 to 1996 and annually from 1997 forward. The objectives of the annual Salary Survey are to: (1) Collect and analyze systematic, accurate information about the salaries of special librarians and information…

In 1995, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities administered a survey of Minnesota institutions of higher education to collect information for the creation of this state-wide directory on library services that support off-campus academic programs. The purpose of the directory is to help libraries make well-informed referrals that connect…

An evaluation of the E-Z cassette player was conducted for the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to determine if the player is suitable for readers who either had no previous experience with cassettes or who cannot operate a standard NLS cassette player. Players were distributed to volunteer library patrons…

This unobtrusive study examined whether the accuracy of reference service provided by student reference assistants (SRAs) and full-time paraprofessional department assistants (DAs) at the Brigham Young University library had improved since 1987. The effects of the following factors on accuracy were also considered: (1) whether a question was…

Using simulated reference questions and a search exercise in a standardized list of subject headings, this test assesses several major skills of reference librarians: question analysis, selection of appropriate source, actual use of the source, and selection of appropriate subject terms. It also provides a means of determining the attitudes of…

This self-evaluation form for microform storage and care was designed to assist librarians who work with active non-book collections. Developed from an extensive literature search on the storage and care of non-book materials, the form has been field tested for value and usability in 20 institutions representing a variety of types of library…

This report contains the results of the Association of Research Libraries' survey of academic Health Sciences libraries for 2004-05. Data are presented on collections, expenditures, and personnel and public services. Out of 113 ARL university libraries, 67 responded to the survey. Health Sciences libraries reported median values of 243,011 volumes…

Demonstrates the application of a marketing technique, conjoint analysis, to the measurement of users' preferences for service patterns in an academic library. Eight references are cited. (FM)

Describes a user-oriented model for setting priorities for services in a medium-size scientific/technical research library. A survey of the research staffs of three organizations regarding their conception of library priorities is compared with the budgets and opinions of the three library directors. The questionnaire used is included. (Author/JD)

Discussion of reference question negotiation by librarians focuses on a study at the Orem (Utah) Public Library that was conducted to determine how frequently the reference staff negotiated questions, how frequently negotiated questions received correct answers, and what verbal and nonverbal communication skills led to correct answers. (five…

In preparation for its Five-Year Plan for the years 2008 through 2012, the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services has reviewed a variety of information resources, including studies, publications, surveys and stakeholder meetings, to assist in understanding the state, its people, its future and the potential role of libraries. This…