Public libraries have embraced the popularity of maker education and makerspaces by integrating maker education in their program offerings, and by developing makerspaces that enable patrons to tinker and create products. But less attention has been paid to supporting librarians and maker educators in assessing the impact of these spaces. To expand…

The Improving Literacy through School Libraries (LSL) program was established under Title I, Part B, Subpart 4 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The purpose of the program is to improve the literacy skills and academic achievement of students by providing them with increased…

Examines literature on latchkey children and public libraries, and reviews solutions to this issue. Presents four recommendations to help public libraries clarify their role in serving latchkey children: educate personnel regarding appropriate services, develop a written policy, reevaluate programs and services, become involved in a community task…

This document addresses the advantages and disadvantages of a required bibliographic instruction program at Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois. Issues addressed include: the public relations efforts; the planning and implementation of the program; the staff requirements; and the impact on library operations and services. Course requirements,…

This paper reports on a leadership institute for library staff at Stanford University (California) and the California State Library that had the goal of elevating the quality of services libraries and related bodies provide to information users in the 21st century through development of library leaders and managers and by increasing the…

The College of the Canyons Library, with assistance from Institutional Development and Technology (IDT), conducted a survey of students to obtain their impressions regarding experiences with library staff, services, collections, and equipment. A representative sample of non-occupational courses was selected for an in-class survey. In addition,…

An evaluation of the Curriculum Resource Centre (CRC)-Library Services for the Nanaimo (British Columbia) School District is presented in this report, which is based on surveys, interviews, observations, tours, discussions, readings, and meetings conducted by the team members during the course of the study. The evaluation team consisted of two…

Evaluation of Tanzanian experiences in developing nationwide public library system under conditions of limited resources and unlimited user demands discusses six principles as basis for alternative strategy: liquidating irrelevant librarianship theories; establishing valid performance measures; adopting cost-effectiveness; giving primacy to…

This research review analyzes output measures that assess the effectiveness of a library's reference services: reference questions, reference staff performance, reference users, combined output measures, and combined input/output measures. The need for research, a definition of reference effectiveness, and input measures are noted. Seventy-three…

Discusses an in-service cross-training program designed for reference desk workers at the University of New Mexico Library. Describes the reference department and provides an overview of cross training. Highlights include training issues, a needs assessment questionnaire, program implementation, and evaluation. Four appendices provide sample…

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…

Describes a project at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas that evaluated the effects of an unmediated document delivery service. Discusses interlibrary loans, staffing, user satisfaction, choice of document supplier, and user training; and suggests questions to consider when deciding whether to offer this service. (LRW)

The California State Library convened the Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California's 21st Century Population with the goal of creating a vision of public library service in California. Over 100 library leaders and supporters gathered for two days of meetings and work sessions. These proceedings are designed to give a detailed…

This examination of the philosophy and objectives of academic library reference services provides an overview of the major reference approaches to fulfilling the following primary objectives of reference services: (1) providing accurate answers to patrons' questions and/or helping patrons find sources to pursue their research needs; (2) building…

During the summer of 1981, 15 state-supported institutional libraries in Nebraska completed self-evaluation forms on their library operations, constituents, and collections. Institutions included were adult correctional facilities, youth facilities, mental health/mental retardation facilities, and veterans' homes. It was found that institutions…