Examines Blumenschein's "Description of Various Libraries in Europe" as an early example of library research methodology; discusses his methods of data collection; describes his use of a questionnaire; and suggests the necessity of further studies of the development of research in library and information science. (Contains 10…

Provides background on public library standards and state aid to public libraries, and reports results of a 1986 survey of Illinois public libraries which explored the relationship between state standards and the per capita grant program. The questionnaire and survey data are appended. (six references) (MES)

A survey at the University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria) examined faculty attitudes toward returning overdue library books. Results were analyzed using the cluster method of factor analysis, and forgetfulness of library obligation and personalization of resources were identified as the primary factors influencing faculty to retain books. The…

Survey of adult Canadian library users focused on defining "seniors," and determining their awareness of library programing and needs for further programing aimed specifically at older adults. Results indicated that, in an era of fiscal restraint, librarians need to be wary of improving services to seniors at the expense of other…

Presents statistics from 1978 survey of public library patrons concerning relationship between distance and library usage and compares them with results from 1968 survey. Data for branch libraries showing effects of age, education, and mode of transportation used are discussed, and three specific contexts are examined. Seven sources are cited.…

Reports results of a survey of 300 minority (i.e., African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American) librarians conducted to determine factors that influence minority librarians to choose a career in librarianship and to ascertain effective recruiting techniques to attract minorities to librarianship. A copy of the questionnaire is appended.…

Reports results of a survey of authority control/database maintenance librarians in 151 major academic and research libraries in the United States and Canada that investigated the current state of automation change, reactions of technical services staff to changes, and methods used to train staff in the changed technology. List of surveyed…

Construct validity and reliability estimates indicate that study designed to measure utilization of automation in public and academic libraries was successful in tentatively identifying and measuring three subdimensions of level of automation: quality of hardware, method of software development, and number of automation specialists. Questionnaire…

Analysis of data collected from two sample surveys assessing change and direction of change in education for librarianship among academic librarians indicates increases in advanced degrees held or being pursued beyond the M.L.S. and in courses, workshops, and conferences attended. Disparities were found between male and female educational…

Discusses data gathered from study assessing library users' behavior and perceptions of reference transaction. Characteristics of reference clientele (address, age, education), questions asked, answers given (type, source, length of time spent), relationships between variables, and cost of reference service are highlighted. Instructions and forms…

Survey of 547 public library reference librarians compared to a similar study of teachers indicates that: 35% of librarians experienced burnout; burnout was high where role ambiguity and role conflict were present; role variable use in predicting burnout was statistically significant; comparison with teachers showed similarities and differences.…

Discusses the results of a survey of librarians who hold a subject master's degree in addition to the Master's of Library Science (MLS) which was conducted to determine the perceived value of such degrees to their work, salary, and career advancement. Hypotheses tested are explained, and further research is suggested. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes the Public Library Effectiveness Study (PLES), which was designed to apply models and methods of organizational effectiveness research to public libraries. Indicators of public library effectiveness are described, factor analysis results are presented, implications for evaluating library performance are discussed, and further research is…

This study was designed both to determine if patrons are able to discern differences in library performance and to investigate relationships between patron evaluation and use of public libraries. Highlights include study procedures, instrumentation, data collection, results of data analyses, and interpretation of results. Eighteen references are…

Describes study that was conducted to determine how the attitudes of policymakers affect the role of the public library in the dissemination of AIDS information. Theoretical considerations relating to decision making, diffusion and innovation, and status risk are discussed, and research questions involving library resources and services are…