Reviews research on impact assessment of libraries and considers potentially useful methodologies for measuring the impact of university libraries, i.e., how library use affects students' academic performance. Topics discussed include categories of library use, purposes of library use, and indicators of library impact. The user panel methodology…

Describes study that examined both currently operational and planned programs where academic libraries are involved in cooperative programs either financed or encouraged by state coordinating agencies of higher education. Limitations of the study are discussed, and a questionnaire and interview questions are appended. (eight references)…

Analyzes a sample of over 4,700 orders for library materials at the University of California, Berkeley, in terms of the probability that the material will arrive and the factors that determine arrival. Models to evaluate the book ordering process are presented, and variables that may affect arrival time are discussed. (six references) (Author/LRW)

A study investigated the relationship between the completeness of end users' mental models of an online system and their ability to use the system effectively. Although all of the study subjects were relatively successful, those with more complete mental models tended to have better search results than subjects with incomplete or poor mental…

The first of a two-part series covers research published since 1970 that is directly relevant to interlibrary loan in the United States, with emphasis on studies of total volume, growth rate, nature of exchange relationships, characteristics of requests and types of material requested, users and uses, and financing. (47 references) (EJS)

Describes analyses of 3 searches conducted in an academic library by 11 novice users of full-text databases. The study examined affective search behavior, search strategies, and searcher assessments of retrieved material. Results of interviews, transaction log analysis, and audiotape recordings of search sessions are discussed, and further…

Presents longitudinal case studies of four students in high school and after completion of college to compare their perceptions of the information search process in libraries. Library user studies are discussed, a model of the search process is described, and implications for the design of information systems are suggested. (36 references) (LRW)

Describes a study at the University of Michigan that examined the extent of serials duplication among branch and divisional libraries, the portion of the serials budget made up of duplications, and the relationship between duplication and serials characteristics. Ways to avoid serials duplication are suggested based on the findings of this study.…

Reports results of a bibliometric analysis of referencing patterns within journal articles published in "College and Research Libraries" (C&RL) and the "Journal of Academic Librarianship" (JAL) from 1984 through 1986. Comparisons are made between scholarliness, commonality of research bases, and relative contributions; and…

Discussion of interlibrary loan transaction fees and their effect on user requests focuses on a case study of the library of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Comparisons are made between charging and noncharging conditions, and it was found that only public libraries showed a decrease in interlibrary loans after fees were initiated. (31…

Describes a practical study to demonstrate trend analysis and several related statistical instruments that can be applied to library research, presents possible topic for full study, and substantiates author's view on future of libraries. An overall analysis of variance is presented and examples of data analysis are appended. (13 references) (EJS)

Reviews studies done on academic library growth in attempt to clarify three reasons for failure of these analyses to result in usable projections of library size. Highlights include patterns in library growth (hypothetical exponential and arithmetic growth), Fremont Rider's studies of growth, and literature on growth after Rider. (28 references)…