Introduction: Evidence-based practice is a process through which evidence in its various forms is sourced, appraised and applied in order to solve a problem, inform decision making, or improve practice. The purpose of this paper is to share findings from a qualitative research study that sought to identify evidence used by Australian special…

Summarizes a 1984 survey of four presidential libraries which identified patterns of behavior within groups of researchers. Data were collected on user's academic, professional, or private affiliation; topics of study; advance preparation; and previous archival research. Findings show users of presidential libraries place high value on personal…

Four case histories were studied in an on-going project to develop a method for user selection of purchased scientific and technical information services. The issues involved were: (1) the value of computer search services to a small branch of a company technical library; (2) the special decision-making factors used for selecting items of very…

A study was undertaken to examine the relationship between use of Seaver Science Library at the University of Southern California and selected personal characteristics of students in four science classes (two undergraduate, two graduate), selected from those courses for which materials were on reserve at Seaver library. A questionnaire was…

Ninety-one randomly selected users of the University of Oregon map library were surveyed in a term project to determine user characteristics and opinions, and results were compared with a 1972 survey. Data were collected on user status, fields of study, reasons for use, frequency and time of use, type of materials used, and satisfaction with…

Users of a search/document delivery service in a large engineering firm were surveyed to determine the amount and relevancy of information received, time saved by using the service, dollar value of information received, number of employees using or seeing the information, and any improvement in the firm's competitive position. (EM)

Reviews the literature of government document use from mid-1977 through December 1989. The literature is identified and analyzed in terms of 6 library surveys, 3 citation studies, and 13 user surveys. Research findings indicate that social scientists are the heaviest users of documents. (Author/MAB)

Special libraries in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area who were members of the University of Southern California (USC) School of Engineering Industrial Associate program were surveyed on their use of the USC program and other similar programs. The questionnaire was designed to discover the attitudes and needs of the Industrial…

Analysis of data on 100 libraries of all types reports the number of libraries holding different categories of software, as well as total number of software packages owned and most popular titles in each category. The categories identified were word processing, data management, spreadsheets, communications, educational, library-specific,…

To explain why member libraries were failing to fill interlibrary loan requests, this study surveyed 26 public, school, community college, university, and special libraries throughout the Cooperative Information Network (CIN). The study was designed to discover: which libraries were chosen for loans, how soon patrons wanted loan information, how…

Describes a method of cost-per-use analysis for individual journal articles to facilitate journal selection, deselection, and retention decisions. Conducted in a biotechnology library, the study was based on 491 users who requested more than 48,000 article photocopies over 3 years. Information on user behavior and journal use patterns is provided.…

A three part approach was taken in this situation report on the role of the special libraries in the United States. First, several background papers were prepared about the definition and state-of-the-art of the field of special librarianship. These papers are: (1) Shera, Jesse H., "Special Libraries--Why 'Special'?, (2) Ash, Lee,…

The library of McDonald and Company Securities is important to the success of the business and its employees. This study assesses the needs and expectations of the library users, and analyzes how well the current library services are meeting those needs and expectations. A questionnaire was distributed to a large random sample of the firm's…

The objectives of this study is to identify the chief problem areas in microform technology and to direct attention to those upon which research should go forward immediately. Its constant focus is the needs of the user. The principal investigator undertook to gather the needed data by indepth interviews with individuals closely connected with all…

The major objective of this research study was to gather information about factors which influence collection development and selection decision making in the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. The user's judgement of the extent to which the collections met his needs is the only parameter of assessment. Museum curators, the bulk of whose time is…