Provides a historical overview of library cooperative efforts, the roles identified for the cooperative library organizations and their members, and associated services. Examines the contributions that rural libraries make toward cooperation among all types of libraries and identifies challenges for rural libraries participating in networks in the…

Presents information on deafness and deaf people that is helpful to librarians communicating with deaf patrons. Communication modes and preferences are discussed, including speaking and facial expression, speech reading, lipreading, and sign language; and methods of optimizing conditions for good communication are described. (11 references) (LRW)

In an electronic era, the evaluation of reference and related information services should still be based on the same principles used to evaluate traditional face-to-face reference services and printed reference tools. Traditional research methods can be utilized very effectively in an electronic environment. However, electronic technologies offer…

Looks at some of the new paradigms for reference service, in particular the ideological implications of the digital reference call-center model, demonstrates how they lead to a "deprofessionalization" of reference work, and provides examples of how extensive reading can help reference librarians provide better service and become an…

Examines the concept of service quality in libraries. Highlights include assessment; service quality versus user satisfaction; measuring service quality, including SERVQUAL; planning; experiences at Texas A& M University in cooperation with ARL (Association of Research Libraries) that resulted in LibQUAL+; and conceptual issues. (Contains 54…

From a survey of 120 public libraries, current collecting patterns for materials relating to music and art are described. (PF)

Explores the library and information needs of the aged and the functionally illiterate. (PF)

Aspects of providing such services are described, including (1) published standards; (2) outreach programs to meet specific needs of the deaf, elderly, and disadvantaged; (3) adaptation of equipment to meet special needs of the elderly; and (4) examples of programs integrated into the structure of public libraries of varying size. (MBR)

This examination of library involvement in adult literacy programs argues that public libraries had their roots in widespread concern for literacy in the 17th century and traces the development of such programs to the present. Changing definitions of literacy are summarized, and current issues in adult library services are discussed. (EM)

If the library is to survive as an information source it must be prepared to supply total information in any format and to provide the facilities for its utilization. (NH)

Relates librarian's experiences in a mental patients' library program which is centered around the concept of bibliotherapy (use of selected reading materials as therapeutic tools). Bibliotherapy in a mental hospital setting, types of bibliotherapy groups, library materials, and librarian training are discussed. Twenty references are included.…

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)

Interpersonal relations as necessary part of information transfer process are considered with respect to online searching in reference setting. Major concerns discussed are processes and activities of online searching, role of searcher versus that of end-user, and future trends of reference service in increasingly online environment. Fifty-five…

The research that is reported was done to describe some of the conditions under which or because of which information service is provided in small, rural public libraries, and suggests some of the problems that are endemic to such service. (Author/FM)

Outlines and illustrates the principles underlying the training of librarians in providing services to ethnic groups, discussing library education policies, the ethnic librarian, the language barrier, and course design. Twenty references are cited. (FM)