This paper examines the place of public libraries in supporting distance learners in Makerere University, exploring the factors which affect utilisation of their services. The study adopted a survey design with 300 B.Ed. students, collecting data through focus group discussions, structured questionnaires and individual interviews.

A role analysis study of the Margaret I. King Library reference department focused on organization of role activities, their evaluation by reference staff, and patron satisfaction. Observation, interview, and questionnaire techniques were employed to (1) obtain staff job history and academic training; (2) inventory activities from which a list of…

Summarizes a study of the use of reference service at Sterling Memorial Library, the central research library of Yale University. (PF)

This investigation of the use of nonfiction books borrowed from an academic library--the Main Library at the Ohio State University--examined two premises which underlie the creation of full-text electronic information systems of nonfiction books: that such books are generally read to obtain information, and that they tend to be read in parts. Data…

This report describes the pilot data collections and post-questionnaire interview activities of the Council on Library Resources (CLR)/Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Online Public Access Project. The background of the project is briefly described, the purpose and adminstration of the post-questionnaire interviews are outlined, and pilot…

A multifaceted card catalog use study was conducted at University of Illinois Music Library to determine hourly rate of use at sound recording and book/music catalogs; time spent at catalogs; who uses catalogs and why; difficulties users encounter; success rate of users' searches; recommendations for designing online catalog. (16 references)…

Raises questions about influence of present reference practice on library user perceptions of the librarian as information intermediary and on user ability to distinguish between librarians and other staff. Questions are discussed within context of client-professional relationship, using data from study of users of three midwestern university…

To study the effect on library use, of additional expenditure on accounting textbooks needed by part-time business students, a study was conducted in the spring of 1980 at the City of London Polytechnic. Three techniques were used: (1) a questionnaire distributed to all part-time students in the Accountancy Department and, as a control group, all…

Describes a study at the California State University at Chico library that was conducted to determine the success of the ERIC database on CD-ROM as a retrieval tool. The results of user interviews are summarized, surveys of reference librarians are reviewed, and cost considerations are examined. (three references) (LRW)

In-person interviews were conducted with 147 randomly selected students to study usage of microfiche serials holdings list to determine accessibility and retrievability of periodical issues housed in four separate locations in California Polytechnic State University Library. Results showed that 80.6 percent of students were successful in their…

Discussion of information literacy focuses on a study at Rutgers University that was conducted to determine how undergraduates evaluate the results of their CD-ROM database searches. A proposed instructional model is explained that is designed to give students the skills they need to use information sources successfully. (three references) (LRW)

As part of a larger State survey of public attitudes toward libraries in Colorado conducted in 1973, this report presents data gathered from interviews with a subsample of 154 secondary school, college, junior college, and university students. The initial section of this report deals with how, when, and why students use all types of libraries. The…

Presents the results of a study of CD-ROM database use by 100 university students. The students' age, level of study, course of study, and reasons for nonuse are reported. Implications of the study, and suggestions for promoting CD-ROM use and involving faculty in raising awareness are presented. (eight references) (KRN)

An investigation was conducted to probe faculty attitudes toward library effectiveness, to measure the effect on these attitudes of the dispersion of relevant resources in a system of departmental libraries around the campus, and to determine if a document delivery system produced changes in user attitudes toward the library. Studies were…