A survey was conducted in the undergraduate library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to determine the availability rate of library materials. The results indicated that 53.8 percent of the titles searched were located on the shelves. Reasons for failure, recommendations for improvement, the questionnaire used, and data tables are…

Criticizes the typical reference librarian's solution to a student's information request--the book--and presents specific reasons for offering a variety of sources and formats. Included is an information 'credo' that emphasizes information, not its package. (JD)

Summarizes the current fiscal setting of public libraries and discusses the effects of these financial support structures on service priorities, the central library system, and future funding. (CWM)

Comments on changes in the public library in the United Kingdom due to local government reorganization and recurring financial crises, and discusses the implications of networking and technological innovation. (CWM)

A general overview of the state library agencies includes their organization and services, place in state government, problems, and potential. Tables are utilized. (Author/MBR)

Library services to state government have been overshadowed by the statewide library development operation. However, as state government becomes increasingly dependent on reliable, current information, many state library agencies are recognizing that state agencies should have priority. This activity is coordinated by library development agencies…

Reference librarians with expertise in a subject area and in information retrieval see research problems in terms of the current state of the discipline and provide information using the total array of online and manual library services; they can also identify and participate in the development of needed research tools. (Author/JAB)

This report of empirical information gathered from institutions in the public library network during a brief visit to Vietnam includes descriptions of the National Library, its classification scheme, the National Bibliography, the Library Council, the Hanoi People's Library, the Saigon National Library (now National Library No. 2), and the Social…

Demonstrates the need for objective, quantitative measurements of children's services in the public library, lists objectives for these services, and describes the mode of research best suited to the task. Library schools are urged to work with practitioners in the field to build a body of research for the future. (JVP)

Describes the history of the successful cooperation between the North York School System and the Metropolitan Toronto Public Libraries. Emphasis is given to the method of resolution of the problems inherent in such a cooperation and to the dismissal of some commonly anticipated fears. (JVP)

Methods of obtaining information which were developed by the Prussian General Staff (military) could be adapted to reference interviews. (JAB)

Items to be considered in establishing on-line reference in a small to medium size library are vendor relations, equipment needed, number of data bases to offer, training of staff, and how to compute search costs. (JAB)

The first Asian Community Library in the U.S. offers a popular collection of print and audiovisual materials in five Asian languages, as well as a special collection in English on Asian Americans and Asian history and culture. Acquisition, cataloging, and political difficulties are also discussed. (Author/JPF)

An overview is provided of a computer based reference course at the State University of New York at Albany which uses the ERIC file on BRS to teach online searching techniques. Course highlights include question negotiation, Venn diagramming, explanation of STAIRS file structure and Boolean logic, and management of services. (J PF)

Gives some suggestions from secondary school teachers on what the instructional media center should offer and discusses the role of the media specialist in improving services. (RK)