Presents ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) guidelines for library instruction and services for distance education. Highlights include the lack of service issues addressed in digital library discussions; distance students' characteristics; the library's role; and remote service to distance users. (Author/LRW)

Discussion of the information services offered by American university libraries begins with historical background. Topics related to contemporary reference service are then covered, including goals and priorities; fees; management; measurement; unobtrusive testing; reference personnel; and the online revolution. The future impacts of changing…

A survey of teachers of the basic reference course at American Library Association-accredited library schools examined: (1) course titles; (2) topics covered; (3) revision and updating of content; (4) faculty characteristics; and (5) faculty research and publishing. Tables present data on course topics and faculty experience. (MES)

Guides librarians on how to assist users studying environmental public policy, and discusses sources under three main headings: environmental interest groups, business and labor, and government. Also examines social science indexes relevant to environmental public policy. A list of sources is appended. (Author/LRW)

Information needs of the business community vary depending on size and type of business, competitive environment, state and local support, managerial expertise, and other factors. Discussion includes ways libraries meet these diverse needs, including the offering of fee-based information services. (Author/AEF)

Explores aspects of accuracy (in the context of question answering) in reference services. Some factors that might influence accuracy include: education, attitude, reference setting, reference collection, the nature of requests, and the patron. (57 references) (Author/AEF)

Presents a fictional scenario of library reference service for the first part of the 21st century. Examines 10 major social trends for the 1990s; critiques services in terms of these trends and notes the library's role and the need to incorporate them into reference services. (Author/AEF)

Includes three articles: the first presents rules and regulations from the "Federal Register" that focus on educational effectiveness in postsecondary institutions; the second discusses the appropriateness of various research methodologies for assessment and accountability of reference services; and the third examines data collection…

The growing population of deinstitutionalized persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities is described, some of their information needs are examined, methods of providing library services are suggested, and a rationale for community outreach is provided. The state program in Rhode Island is outlined. (22 references) (EAM)

Addresses the need for reference librarians to reassess their service priorities and service delivery methods to operate efficiently and compete effectively with commercial information services. Highlights include inappropriate use of librarians' time; inefficient service delivery methods; cost effectiveness; and a consultation model of service…

Discusses sources of conflict between teaching and nonteaching librarians and identifies theoretical and practical contributions of library instruction to reference service. Arguments against library instruction, library applications of learning theory, improving reference services, conflicts in reference department, and future of library…

Discusses the impact of local online databases on library reference services, including their integration with remote files such as Dialog, Orbit, and the Information Bank. Online catalog databases, multiple local databases (analytics for journal articles, indexes), and batch processing of data are noted. Six references are cited. (EJS)

Provides overview of the materials available for the reference librarian on the topic of online services. General works and introductions, bibliographies, directories, periodicals, articles on specific topics, and online catalogs are covered. Forty-five references are included. (EJS)

Discusses wife assault and reports on two studies in which the social service network is viewed as an information system and which question the effectiveness of community responses to the information needs of battered women. Library services to individual women, social services providers, and public policy or decision makers are suggested.…

Discusses problems with patron Internet access in academic libraries and describes a study conducted at Northwestern University (Illinois) that used Internet tracking software to assess user Internet behavior. Topics include Internet use policies; pornography; and loss of control over library services and information content that is provided. (LRW)