This discussion of the development of library reference service standards and guidelines for service measurement highlights the work of the American Library Association (ALA) Committee on Standards, guidelines adopted by ALA's Reference and Adult Services Division, and efforts of state, public, and university libraries. Fourteen references are…

Examines national and state public library standards to discover the extent to which rural library services have been considered and to identify aspects of the standards that might be applicable to rural libraries. (Author/FM)

Overview of the search for standards for American college libraries provides a brief background and discusses qualitative versus quantitative standards, the Association of College and Research Libraries' 1975 revision of the 1959 "Standards for College Libraries," and the future of the standards. Twenty-six references are cited. (EJS)

Outline of the development of state libraries focuses on funding, the establishment of standards by the American Association of State Libraries in 1963 with revision in 1970, and strengths and weaknesses of the present standards; suggestions for revisions of the 1970 standards are included. Twelve references are noted. (EJS)

Provision of library service to the blind and visually impaired and the development of standards for libraries providing this service are reviewed. The development of guidelines for libraries serving the deaf and hard of hearing is also discussed. Thirty-one references are cited. (EJS)

Reviews history of public library standards development and needs. Publications dealing with accreditation, measurement of effective library service, alternatives to standards, state and national standards, and a planning process manual are discussed. Twenty-four references are provided. (EJS)

Discusses the relationship between innovative public library services and library administration's need to seek cooperative relationships with outside organizations to implement such services. The formation of the Consortium for Public Library Innovation (1976) is described, and a list of references is provided. (FM)

Discusses service standards (level of excellence or adequacy in performance of library service) and their incorporation in the accreditation process for hospital library service and academic health sciences libraries. The certification program developed for health sciences librarians by the Medical Library Association is reviewed. Fifty-nine…

Identifies leading issues in academic reference service based on survey of literature with emphasis on 1970s and 1980s--bibliographic instruction, computer-based reference and biliographic services, personnel-related topics (specialists, generalists, professional development, nonprofessionals in reference service), measurement and evaluation, and…

Discusses the library standards--"Guidelines for Two-Year College Learning Resources Programs"--as approved in 1972 by three national associations, highlighting addition of quantitative standards in 1979, review in 1981, utilization for research studies, role in accreditation process, and use for statewide planning. A 28-item…

Reviews developments in British library standards since 1971, highlighting types of standards, public libraries, academic libraries (university, polytechnic, college), school libraries, and special libraries (hospital and health sciences, prison, subject specializations). Thirty-nine references are cited. (EJS)

Outlines current function of the school library media center, highlighting reference services, the information function, national standards, the library media program, the teaching of library media skills, library instruction as a shared responsibility of classroom teachers and media specialists, and the development of the reference collection.…

National, state and local standards in existence for institutions for mentally retarded, mental health patients, and youthful and adult offenders are considered. Standards used by state library agencies in institutional library planning, standardization of standards, and positive and negative aspects of current standards are discussed. A 47-item…

Current trends in public library reference service include use of online systems; budget constraints in public sector; increased service; use, training, and supervision of paraprofessionals; centralized organization of reference service; participation in management of reference services; and more realistic attempts at measurement and evaluation of…