As academic libraries move toward the electronic frontier for their serial subscriptions, there are several issues to be considered. This paper intends to outline the advantages and disadvantages with respect to electronic and paper serials, address selection criteria, and describe our practice in coping with these issues at the Leddy Library of…

Electronic performance support system (EPSS) technology provides a powerful mechanism for helping end-users operate complex systems. This article describes and discusses some research we have undertaken to explore their potential within academic library systems. Based on a needs analysis, an EPSS for supporting library users was designed and…

A task force was charged with developing a revised set of guidelines for public library service to children in Vermont. Together with the results of a survey of Vermont public libraries, the help of recommendations from other states, and the expertise of individual libraries, the task force drew up a number of guidelines. In the first section the…

Libraries must provide more than the usual reference services by taping community information sources such as social agencies, religious organizations, local clubs and societies, local businesses, and residents who have special knowledge. The library must also take an active, rather than passive, role in delivering information. (LS)

Many small and medium-sized companies see a library as a luxury they cannot afford. They may have room set aside with a small collection of books, periodicals or reports, yet the use of this often unsupervised storage system is minimal at best. These same companies, however, usually place great importance on maintenance of and access to…

This paper examines the need for accurate, reliable data on energy, flowing upward to the national government from various energy-intensive information systems. Part I explores the need for a national policy coordinating this flow within both the United States and, for comparative purposes, Great Britain. Part II presents in outline form the…

The aims of this one-year research project undertaken for the School of Librarianship were: (1) to determine the various information needs of the user groups in the colleges, (2) to investigate present library services in light of the users' needs and (3) to propose immediate and long-term development plans for the library. In this study the role…

The views of three parliamentary librarians and two academics on the subject of library services to Australian legislators are given in this publication. A variety of viewpoints is given in order to stimulate and provoke reaction from the Members of Parliament for whom the book is basically intended. The five articles included are: (1) "The…

In Massachusetts municipalities there exists the need to develop at the policy-making, fiscal and administrative levels, an awareness, understanding and knowledge of the functions, objectives and roles of both the public library and the school media program in relation to children and young adults. To this end there should be joint administrative…

What is the state of the public library today and what should it be in the future? The need for answers to these questions is the reason for this study. Societal factors affecting the public library are studied. The report examines the development of the public library in the 20-year span since the "Public Library Inquiry" (1950-70), and describes…

Introduces a series of articles reporting progress made in library services to the Spanish speaking in the past eight years, despite the undeniable discrimination that exists against the Hispanic-heritage librarian and the delivery of library and information services to this ethnic group. Each article is followed by an interview with a Hispanic…

Narrates the events leading to one Spanish-speaking community's politicalization for improvement of its library services, and poses some hard questions about equal opportunities for library services. (VT)

Psychological barriers that prevent the public from using libraries effectively and efficiently are identified. The problem of receiving too much information is also addressed, and seven steps for obtaining the right information are outlined, including determining exactly what is needed and then asking for help from a reference librarian. (LBH)

Discusses four basic aspects of data reference work: 1) How files are created as related to the main sources for acquisition of data files; 2) What publications help to identify available data files; 3) What variables appear in which data files; 4) What information about the physical medium of file storage is needed to use the file on a computer.…

This essay addresses the ambiguity and confusion arising out of two values that have been embodied in American public library ideology since at least the last quarter of the nineteenth century: concept of the public library as community institution; the public library's emphasis on service to the individual. (27 references) (EJS)