Describes how extended reference service is offered within the electronic environment at the University of Central Florida Library. Discusses how new technologies, specifically electronic discussion lists, facilitate reporting and program implementation within the library community as a whole. Summarizes underlying principles, alternative…

To facilitate research, an agreement was reached between Emporia State University's Library Services and the Biology Division to offer subsidized online searches. Explores the relationship and how the collaboration has evolved over the years. Outlines the instruction session now being offered, and discusses its effectiveness. (AEF)

This naturalistic study examined the role of nonverbal communication in the academic library. The decision to approach or not approach a reference librarian was studied through the use of Mehrabian's immediacy metaphor, and it was hypothesized that the nonverbal behavior of the librarian is related to the user's decision. Contains 53 references.…

Proposes a framework for academic libraries to use for the reevaluation of reference and bibliographic instruction services that focuses on student attitudes and the World Wide Web. Discusses the postmodern condition that is characterized by consumerism, superficiality, and knowledge fragmentation, and considers how academic librarians can…

Presents a summary review of 25 years of the literature on user instruction and information literacy. Notes how developments and technology during the last 10 years have affected user instruction and have led to the emergence of information literacy. Demonstrates how the field of user instruction has expanded. Includes bibliographies. (Author/AEF)

Describes results of an exploratory survey that examined public library electronic mail reference services and the patrons who used them. Discusses results of print questionnaires and Web-based questionnaires that investigated user satisfaction and classified email reference questions received by public libraries. Library questionnaire and web…

Describes the CONTENTdm software used by Washington State University Libraries to enhance its online collection building efforts. Topics include online image collections; software architecture; providing access to collections; integrating CONTENTdm with other imaging products; improving reference; and access for remote users. (LRW)

Presents suggestions for smooth and satisfying transactions between reference librarians and patrons, as well as for better collegial relationships. Highlights include: being prepared to help patrons; staying visible; serving "who's next"; working together and allowing for personal styles; making referrals; and using diplomacy while correcting…

A pilot survey of academic reference librarians in Nevada determined that 74% of those identified as second-career librarians cited prior work experience as influencing their present approach to work. Effects noted were service orientation, subject expertise, teaching skills, "information provider" philosophy, empathy, and interviewing…

Reports on an initiative by the Toronto Public Library to create the "Virtual Reference Library" (VRL). Describes the first service to be offered, a Dewey application called "Science Net." Discusses the VRL and its precursor, objectives, basis for its funding, technical aspects, progress to date and future direction. (AEF)

Compares the traditional model of the reference interview with a new model based on online information process. Findings offer new perspectives on the reference interview process and lend support to the adoption of a new reference model which shifts its venue from a person to person process, to one in which information itself provides the platform…

This study analyzed checklist and narrative reports from twenty reference interactions initiated in eleven Greater Vancouver colleges/universities by a proxy with heavily accented English. The results showed that librarians were generally sensitive to the language barrier, but they failed to ask enough questions and rushed the interaction to…

During the 2001-2002 academic year, Augustana College Library (Rock Island, IL) and St. Ambrose University Library (Davenport, IA) began a unique joint venture of peer observation between the reference staff members of the two libraries. Librarians from each college took turns visiting the other library and conducting peer observations of…

This annotated bibliography presents 163 references on legal education, part-time higher education, continuing, adult and distance from a broad range of authors and sources within and outside the legal education field for those interested in part-time legal education. An introduction discusses biases against part-time legal education within the…

This manual presents the policies and procedures of the Reference Department of Chicago State University's Douglas Library. General information about the reference department's staffing, functions, and services is given in the first section. In the next nine sections information is provided about the following areas: scope and circulation period…